SHAH ALAM: The Volkswagen Golf GTE is likely to be the first plug-in hybrid to be sold in Malaysia.
At the recent Das Event in Shah Alam, Volkswagen president of commercial operations (Greater China/Asean) Weiming Soh said, "We want to launch the Golf GTE in Malaysia next year."
According to Volkswagen, the Golf GTE's high-voltage battery can be charged from a conventional domestic mains socket (three hours and 45 minutes until full charge).
If the battery is "refuelled" from a wall box (for garage or carport) or a public charging station, it takes just 2 hours and 15 minutes to reach a 100% charge.
On the NEDC (New European Driving Cycle) for cars with plug-in hybrid drives, the petrol-driven Golf GTE has an average fuel consumption of 1.5 litre per 100km.
Its maximum all-electric driving range is 50km, and the total range is around 940km.
The design, GT equipment features and agile character of the Golf GTE were adapted directly from the Golf GTI and GTD.
The Golf GTE has a system power of 204ps and a maximum torque of 350Nm, from a 1.4-litre TSI turbocharged petrol direct-injection engine and an electric motor with a power output of 75kW in tandem with a 6-speed dual clutch gearbox (DSG).
The Golf GTE has a top speed of 222kph and accelerates to 100kph in just 7.6 seconds.
The car has a GTE mode (button activated) where it can sprint to 60kph in just 4.9 seconds.
To sum it up, the Golf GTE is an extremely fuel-efficient all-round car for long trips.
It is also sporty like the legendary Golf GTI and Golf GTD, yet it can be driven with zero emissions at the press of a button like the all-electric e-Golf.
