The newest Volkswagen Passat GTE 2018 is a midsized family sedan belonging to the PHEV segment. The green technology driven vehicles are all the rage these days and most major car manufacturers are coming up with their versions of such technology. The Toyota has been a leader in making hybrid power vehicles but VW also has its contenders ready by now!
Volkswagen Passat GTE 2018 – Handsome Looking
The Volkswagen Passat GTE 2018 is a handsome looking vehicle, beyond any question. The typical VW design traces are all there including the familiar logo sitting middle of the grille and sharp, angular lines by sides of its body. The C shaped lamps lend it a cool look and the car has blue trim extending along the grille.
The cabin exudes understated elegance. However, the material quality leaves little scope for grudges and the blue trimming continues in the cabin. The steering wheel, gear knob even floor carpets get the blue touch- hinting this is a special edition of Passat.
The 2018 VW Passat GTE comes laden with enough safety and amenities, which is typical for any VW car, as it is. The adaptive instrument display displays the driving mode you pick such as GTE, battery charge, Hybrid and E mode. Furthermore, the driving training module also comes embedded which helps you get the most mileage out of the powertrain.
The VW has sharpened its infotainment setup and the 12.3 in TFT dash display is a breeze to use. Its safety features include stability control, rearview camera and traction control along with a set of airbags.
Engine Options of the Volkswagen Passat GTE 2018
Those buying a hybrid technology vehicle will be more concerned about fuel economy and performance than styling and amenities. The hybrid powertrain used in the 2018 Passat GTE is actually an enhanced version of the unit used in the smaller sibling Golf GTE. It is a combination of a 1.4 TSI petrol engine making 154 HP and an electric motor generating 114 HP. As per the claims of the company, the new Passat GTE can cover 31 miles in pure electric mode.
In real life, it will depend on your driving style and the type of terrain as well. With a full tank and fully charged electric motor the car can cover about 664 miles, theoretically. The acceleration is good enough though that cannot match what you get in rivals like BMW 330e. To charge the battery fully, you will need close to 4 hours.
Pricing and Availability of the Volkswagen Passat GTE 2018
The approx entry-level price of Volkswagen Passat GTE 2018 will be close to $48,000. It will hit the roads in last quarter of 2017.
Summing it up
There is no denying the fact that Volkswagen Passat GTE 2018 is a nice PHEV class sedan that will suit needs of wide range of buyers. The hybrid powertrain is a good performer and the car also comes with good amenities embedded. The only minor glitch is the battery adds to the overall body weight and eats into cabin space to an extent.
The only thing that I need to know is, when the GTE passat arrives in Mexico?