The New GTI Goes Electric
The Volkswagen Golf GTE is the latest member of the GT family, which already includes the direct-injected GTI, the 4-door GLI, and the diesel GTD (sadly not currently offered in North America). It is, in theory, the best of both worlds. It has 201 horsepower, 258 pounds/feet of torque, a top speed of 217 Km/h, and 0-100 in a very respectable 7.6 seconds. The GTE also has the ability to travel 50 km on electric power alone, a total range of 939 km and fuel consumption low enough to get the attention of the eco-friendly crowd.
The engine used to animate this new Golf is a 1.4 liter turbocharged gasoline engine developing 148 HP, paired with an electric motor in the transmission generating 101 HP. In full electric mode, the Golf GTE can accelerate up to 130 Km/h. The batteries can store enough energy to travel short distance without using a drop of fuel, and they can be charged in 3 hours and 30 minutes. Using a high-capacity charger, you can shave one hour from that time.
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The other changes made to separate the new version from a regular GTI are few. Some optional equipment is now standard (for example, the GPS which allows the driver to see the remaining range in electric mode, and can suggest charging stations along the way), new unique wheels will be installed, and the traditional red accents on the grille and inside the car are now blue.
The GTE will be presented to the public at the Geneva Auto Show.
