VW Plan Hot, Plug-In Golf GTE

There is a growing fan base for ‘plug-in’ hybrids… Not only are they eco-friendly but they also offer excellent economy. The one complaint has been that they lack fun element when driven.

Hoping to capitalise on the performance reputation of the GTI, shown above, Volkswagen is reportedly developing a car called the Golf GTE. Power would come from the same powertrainas the Audi A3 E-Tron, a 1.4-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder with 148 horsepower. Mated to that is a 107-horsepower electric motor, which draws power from an 8.8-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack. A six-speed, dual-clutch transmission would shift 204 total system horsepower to the front wheels, which Autocar claims will allow the GTE to hit 62 miles per hour in 7.6 seconds and reach a top speed of 135 mph.

It’s expected to hit the showrooms in late 2015.