The New Passat GTE is now available to order in the UK, with 166mpg, 39g/km & a top speed of 140mph, what's not to like.

• State-of-the-art plug-in hybrid model joins award-winning Passat range
• Sports performance and exceptional economy come together in family-friendly model
• Available to order tomorrow, with prices starting from £36,525 (RRP OTR) excluding grant

Space, pace, and environmental credentials that even before its official UK showroom debut have already secured it a prestigious ‘green’ award: the new Volkswagen Passat GTE is calculated to offer drivers the very best of all worlds.

A winner in the Large Family Car class in the recent Next Green Car Awards even before its showroom debut here, the new Passat GTE is available to order tomorrow through the Volkswagen UK retailer network with prices starting at £36,525 (RRP OTR), excluding Government Plug-In Car Grant of £2,500.

The first Passat with a state-of-the-art plug-in hybrid drive system, the innovative new car offers spirited performance alongside the possibility of zero emissions when driving in all-electric mode. 

Available in saloon or estate body styles, the most environmentally responsible Passat to date emits just 39g of CO₂ on the EU Combined Cycle, equating to fuel economy of 166 mpg.  Yet with 400 Nm of torque and combined system power of 218 PS, the new car can sprint from rest to 62 mph in a lively 7.6 seconds before heading to a top speed of 140 mph, where legal. The potential range between refuelling stops is more than 660 miles.

The Passat GTE is a plug-in hybrid that can be driven up to 31 miles on electric power alone in E-Mode.  A 1.4-litre TSI turbocharged petrol engine delivers 156 PS, while the electric motor adds a further 115 PS. Underlining its engaging performance capabilities, the electric motor alone can provide up to 330 Nm of torque from near-standstill.

A specially developed six-speed DSG gearbox is standard on the Passat GTE and features a third, disengagement clutch.  This decouples the TSI motor whenever possible, to allow the vehicle to make best use of kinetic energy and hence increases efficiency still further.

Building on the already elegant lines of the new Passat – voted European Car of the Year 2015 - the Passat GTE is distinguished outside by distinctive C-shaped LED daytime running lights and an additional blue line across the radiator grille: design cues which are shared with the award-winning Golf GTE.  A redesigned front bumper and 18-inch alloy wheels also mark out the new car.

Inside, in addition to the optional innovative Active Info Display with specific customised read-outs, standard features include blue ambient lighting, a leather-trimmed multifunction steering wheel with blue decorative stitching, GTE-specific gear knob with blue stitching and seats covered in Alcantara with Vienna leather side bolsters.  Unique GTE badging also marks out the new Passat.

Bristling with innovative and engaging new technology, the new Passat GTE boasts Volkswagen’s new Car-Net e-Remote app which allows a wide variety of tasks – including charging – to be controlled via smartphone.  All climate control functions can be also activated remotely, while information on the vehicle’s state of charge, recent driving data or last parking position can be displayed.  It is also possible to check whether the doors are closed and the lights turned off.

The Passat GTE’s electric motor develops maximum torque of 330 Nm and offers continuous torque of 170 Nm. The 1.4-litre direct-injection turbocharged petrol engine is as sophisticated as the electric motor and drivetrain. This four-valve per cylinder unit from the EA211 engine family uses an ultra-rigid die-cast aluminium crankcase.  Maximum power of 156 PS comes at 5,000 rpm, and maximum torque of 250 Nm is on offer between 1,500 rpm and 3,500 rpm.

Under normal circumstances, the Passat GTE starts in pure electric E-Mode. When it reaches minimum battery charge hybrid mode is activated. Here the Passat GTE operates as a full hybrid, charging the battery under deceleration and automatically using the TSI motor and/or electric motor as required.  However, should the driver wish to conserve electric power (for example to use E-Mode in a city at the end of a journey), Battery Charge mode can be selected.  For maximum power, GTE mode can be chosen: this uses both petrol and electric motors.

The car’s lithium-ion battery is fitted in the floor area of the rear seat bench. Comprising eight modules of 12 cells each, it creates a nominal voltage of 360 V and power of 9.9 kWh, with a peak output of 85 kW.  The high-voltage battery is overseen electronically by the Battery Management Controller, which manages various functions including the battery’s liquid cooling system.

Charging is achieved either via a standard UK domestic mains outlet in around four hours and 15 minutes; or in two hours 30 minutes from a dedicated wallbox with a 3.6 kW supply.

The Passat GTE comes in two highly specified trim levels in the UK.  On top of the standard features of the Passat GT (such as Adaptive Cruise Control with Front Assist and City Emergency Braking, Discover Navigation, Bluetooth and parking sensors), standard items include LED headlights and tail lights, Mode 2&3 charging cables and Car-Net e-Remote.  Standard items on the GTE Advance trim also include the new Active Info Display, Discover Pro navigation (eight-inch screen), Nappa leather, Area View and LED premium headlights.

Despite its extra technology and revised styling, dimensions of the Passat GTE match those of the standard Passat, including boot volume (402-968 litres for the saloon and 483-1613 litres for the estate).

Judges in the Next Green Car Awards said of the Volkswagen: “Volkswagen’s Passat is an excellent large family car that performs well in every area. Add to it the plug-in hybrid powertrain that effortlessly provides drive for all situations and the Passat GTE becomes a dominant model in the large family class.”  

Volkswagen Passat GTE
Model	Engine	Gearbox	Power	CO2(g/km)	OTR RRP	OTR RRP with OLEV grant
Passat GTE	1.4 TSI with electric motor	Six-speed DSG	218 PS	39	£36,525	£34,025
Passat GTE Advance	1.4 TSI with electric motor	Six-speed DSG	218 PS	39	£40,180	£37,680
Passat Estate GTE	1.4 TSI with electric motor	Six-speed DSG	218 PS	39	£38,075	£35,575
Passat Estate GTE Advance	1.4 TSI with electric motor	Six-speed DSG	218 PS	39	£41,730	£39,230

SPAIN - Volkswagen launches the All-New Passat GTE, and follows in the footsteps of teh GTE Golf.

Electrified Volkswagen models: after GTE Golf, Volkswagen is now presenting the following model with plug-in hybrid propulsion. The German automaker now electrifies the new Passat GTE. With the Passat debuts a new generation of family and business car becomes a zero-emissions vehicle suitable for long journeys. A Volkswagen that links the present and the future. 

A car that not only convinces with one of the most advanced propulsion systems of the time, it also offers an innovative range of participants driving and infotainment systems that set benchmarks in the segment of the middle class. A car for business through 'App-Connect "integrated into the system board simply and perfectly almost all existing smartphones.

A private car, thanks to the "Media Control" tablets integrates children and teenagers on board expanding the entertainment program. GTE The new Passat is a car that reflects the next stage of evolution of individual mobility.

Zero emissions. With NEDC by only 1.6 l / 100 km and 12.2 kWh / 100 km (Variant: 12.4 kWh) excellent overall system performance of 160 kW / 218 hp, efficient consumption and autonomy in electric mode up to 50 kilometers, the Passat GTE provides references efficiency in its segment. 

Under normal conditions, the new Volkswagen always starts in electric mode with zero emissions. The "E-Mode" can be activated manually via a button, for example, when the final destination of a long journey is located in an urban area.

Thus, in cities like London, Passat AWG conductors are free from paying the congestion charge (Congestion Charge). Many of the drivers who drive mainly in town lead the Passat GTE almost exclusively in electric mode. 

According to some studies, for example in Germany by the Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban-Development about 80% of drivers, from the leading daily in the workplace, to moving often, drive less 50 km daily.

No stress. In many cases, the Passat GTE may circulate between European cities without stopping to refuel.Since a full 50-liter tank and the battery fully charged, the Passat GTE can reach a range of almost 1,100 kilometers without refueling: Amsterdam - Paris round trip. It is also the extraordinary travel comfort which makes the Passat GTE in a car without stress for long distances. 

Series systems such as ACC adaptive cruise control or other optional assistance system as in jams Traffic Jam Assist, the perfect representation of the car's functions and the Volkswagen infotainment screen and the Cockpit Digital art suspension system DCC adaptive electronics are linking the Passat GTE with a higher range.

. Efficient driving in the "E-Mode" mode The kilometers in purely electric mode are especially economic: at a price of 28.81 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh / average price in Germany in 2015) and consumption 12 2 kWh, 100 kilometers cost just 3.50 euros-an extremely low price considering the mileage in electric mode are performed mainly in city and correspond to consumption in town only 2.5 liters of gasoline 95.

Driving pleasure in the "GTE Mode" mode. The sport version is the "GTE Mode" mode. This mode is activated by pressing a button, the Passat offers maximum system performance 160 kW / 218 hp. In addition, various parameters such as throttle curves and direction are much more dynamic in this way. The TSI 1.4 liter engine has an output of 115 kW / 156 hp electric motor and 85 kW / 115 hp. 

The maximum torque offered by the plug-in hybrid propulsion system is 400 Nm. All these values ​​translate into increased dynamism and driving pleasure. Equipped with an automatic double clutch (DSG) six-speed developed especially for hybrid propulsion, the Passat GTE accelerates from 0 to 100 km / h in just 7.4 seconds (Variant: 7.6 seconds). Both versions reach a top speed of 225 km / h ("E-Mode": 130 km / h).

Setting high technology. The Passat GTE has an independent line of equipment. Some of the details of the extensive standard equipment of high technology model are LED lights (for low and high beams), the fatigue detection system, the multiple collision avoidance braking system, the environment observation system "Front Assist" wizard automatic emergency braking in city and ACC adaptive cruise control, the ParkPilot the rain sensor in the front and rear, chrome side profiles and windows comfort seats (front). 

The aforementioned systems are also available for other Passat models (part of series). However, unlike the Passat GTE no other version to equip all these technological details of series. For this reason, the plug-in hybrid Passat becomes the new flagship of the range.

Progressive charisma. In addition, there are individual details that have been designed exclusively for the Passat GTE, as specific front chrome grille that integrates a prominent blue profile color electric mobility Volkswagen. 

The Passat GTE progressive charisma is accentuated by newly designed bumper with LED daytime running lights in the form of "C". The bright shaped profile "C" and the design elements blue are hallmarks of all plug-in electric and hybrid models of the Volkswagen brand. One feature that identifies the silhouette Passat GTE as plug-in hybrid model are its light alloy 17-inch type "Montpellier". 

The interior has also been adapted to the new powertrain. Engineers and designers shaped the instrument panel and infotainment system standard "Composition Media" with an individual-oriented drive-specific functions and indications of plug-in hybrid propulsion system menu. 

Also have customized some details of series like blue ambient lighting, leather multifunction steering wheel with decorative stitching in blue, a knob of the shift lever GTE with blue stitching and seats finished in Alcantara and leather. Another detail that ennoble inside are applications with aluminum look and glossy black.

Launch. The GTE Passat and Passat Variant will arrive in autumn GTE European countries that have greater demand for this type of vehicles and Spain will arrive in 2016. As far as the brand is concerned, the Passat GTE is a basic piece electromobility strategy of Volkswagen. 

After the e-up !, the e-Golf and Golf GTE, the Passat and Passat Variant GTE are the fourth and fifth model, respectively, large-scale production which, through an electric motor, walking distances daily with zero emissions. In this regard it would be interesting also check out the group: adding plug-in hybrid models of Audi (A3 e-tron, Q7 e-tron R8 e-tron) and Porsche (Cayenne S E-Hybrid, Panamera S E-Hybrid) Volkswagen AG now has ten versions with all-electric or semi-electric propulsion -revolutionary its range of models. GTE The Passat is the first plug-in hybrid model that the Group offers in the average sedan segment. 

All these parameters indicate that the plug-in hybrid propulsion is about to achieve success worldwide: according to forecasts, the total annual sales for all plug-in hybrids "plug-in hybrid electric vehicle" (PHEV) will be 218,000 units (2015). And in three years will increase to 893,000 vehicles (2018). It also foresees that the turnover increase to nearly 3.3 million by 2022. The PHEV segments with the highest turnover are the segment A (Golf GTE) and segment B (Passat GTE).Volkswagen has laid the right foundations.