With the model change a few months ago, the “classic” VW Passat became a really stylish car that has significantly shortened the distance to the in-house premium brand Audi. Solidly crafted and with the typical characteristics of a Passat - in this country mostly in the station wagon version - that's how it is loved.
Petrol, diesel, everything in the program, but such a real lifestyle feeling did not want to arise under the carport in the new housing estate. Somehow it's just a "normal" Passat. That can now the new Passat GTE to change!
Plug-in models, i.e. vehicles that have an electric motor under the sheet metal dress in addition to the petrol engine and can be “refueled” at the socket, are called “GTE” at Volkswagen. Starting with the Golf GTE, the environmentally conscious vehicle series is now being continued with the successful volume model Passat.
In chic white, the new VW Passat GTE is currently presented in Amsterdam, the market launch is scheduled for autumn with us. Amsterdam, one wonders why there? Because the Dutch government has invested heavily in mobile change and there are charging stations in every corner. Similarly, in the city, in the central parking garages, entire rows with dozens of seats, new, beautiful and bright, reserved for electric and plug-in hybrid cars.
And of course that is the planned field of application here in Germany too. The field worker will certainly continue to be best served by the diesel generator. But who lives in the bacon belt of the cities, whether Hamburg, Berlin, Dusseldorf, Rhine-Main or Munich and the office in the city must, for the Passat GTE could represent an alternative to diesel.
Some just do not like the diesel engine or refueling with the glove to protect themselves from the smell. Constant stop-and-go in the urban environment, which returns a petrol engine usually with increased consumption, even with a start-stop mechanism.
The Passat GTE creates according to factory specification up to 50 kilometers purely electrically and up to 130 km / h fast. That should be enough for most cities, or to reach them. In the underground garage of the office then plug in the socket and in the evening again fully electrically home. So the concept is conceived and for many possible, if not for everyone. If there is no outlet, the petrol engine can charge the battery while driving. In the combination of both drives, plus the charging process while driving, are theoretically in 1.000 kilometer range in it, until the 50 liter tank and the battery are empty.
However, if you drive the Passat GTE in a sporty manner - the driver has a full 218 hp as a system output - consumption increases to the level of a normal petrol engine. So you have no disadvantage, apart from the higher purchase price compared to a "normal" VW Passat. The GTE sedan starts at 44.250 euros, the popular station wagon at a thousand more. On the other hand, 100 kilometers driven purely electrically only cost a little over 3 euros. Unrivaled to the pure gasoline engine and the fuel prices.
GTE, similar to the in-house GTI, naturally means sportiness and the “eco” Passat suddenly shows its different face. At the touch of a button you can switch to “GTE” mode, in which the Passat provides the maximum system output of 218 hp and makes various parameters such as the accelerator pedal and steering characteristics more dynamic. The 1,4 liter TSI engine produces 156 hp, the electric motor delivers the equivalent of 115 hp. At a powerful 400 Newton meters, the maximum torque of the plug-in hybrid drive is more on a diesel than petrol engine level. The Passat GTE accelerates to 7,4 km/h in 100 seconds (variant: 7,6 seconds). Both versions reach a top speed of 225 km/h.
But the Passat GTE is even more than a stand-alone equipment line. It also has a lot to offer as standard: the LED headlights, the blue line for the GTE models accentuate the exterior here as well, the fatigue detection, the multi-collision brake, the environmental monitoring system Front Assist including city emergency braking, the ParkPilot for the front and rear and comfort seats (front).
"Not just more watts in the interior, but now under the hood."
Of course, the high-tech Passat, the individualist in the Passat range, can also be further customized. "Watt" is in addition to the new electric motor drive as well as the normal model in the interior. Of the Danish sound specialist Dynaudio delivers with its "Confidence" system and the new 12 channel amplifier the right sound for such a lifestyle vehicle. Various sound characters like Dynamic, Speech, Soft and Authentic leave nothing to be desired when it comes to musical entertainment. And where can mobile enjoy music better than in a silent car?
The VW Passat GTE drives pleasant, as we have already met the Golf GTE. Jerk-free and uninterrupted, the 6 dual-clutch gearbox (DSG) shifts, just as changing and connecting the petrol engine works.
A volume model, the Passat GTE certainly, especially without state funding in this country, not. But those who are interested in a "traditional model" and want to set themselves apart in the chic new housing development of the drivers of the ascending class, could put the chic Passat GTE under natural wood carport.