Volkswagen Golf plug-in hybrid

 

Volkswagen's plug-in hybrid car returns in a second generation. The 2020 vintage of the Golf is based on the eighth version of the famous compact sedan, now available in two versions: eHybrid 204 hp and GTE 245 hp. The battery swells, the autonomy also between 52 and 71 km of autonomy.

The design of the Golf GTE and eHybrid

Never change a winning team. This is the credo of Volkswagen, cultivating an almost unchanged silhouette between the seventh and eighth generations. However, the face of the compact is changing. Its lower, thin headlights are linked to an illuminated grille, the rear being refined with ID.3-style optics. The eHybrid version retains the plastic and interior of the TSI petrol and TDI diesel variants.

The Golf GTE version is notable for its air intake. More hypertrophied and with a honeycomb grille, it is also more aggressive with its black deflectors. Elsewhere, a blue border highlights the look, the “GTE” logo is written to the left of the grille, while it fits specific rims.

 

The interior of the plug-in hybrid Volkswagen Golf

What a change for this second generation of the plug-in hybrid Golf! The dashboard is largely refined, abandoning the concept of a central console. As a replacement, the touch screen concentrates most of the controls, apart from those for air conditioning remaining physical at the level of the vents. The meters are entirely digital, with the small flat steering wheel incorporating the new Volkswagen logo. The head-up display is also in the catalog, but probably as an option or on a high-end finish.

Technologically, “Car2X” is making its debut. This communication system between the car and the infrastructure makes it possible to warn about traffic conditions. It can also anticipate traffic upstream, and thus optimize efficiency.

Engine and performance of the plug-in hybrid Volkswagen Golf

The new plug-in hybrid Golf offers two hybrid configurations:

• Golf eHybrid – 204 hp which combines a 150 hp gasoline unit with a 110 hp (80 kW) electric motor. Delivering up to 350 Nm of torque, this version allows a maximum speed of 220 km/h and goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 7 seconds.
• Golf GTE: sportier, the GTE has the same technical configuration but with power increased to 245 horsepower and torque of 400 Nm. In terms of performance, this sporty version promises a top speed of 225 km/h and a 0 to 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds.

The versions are equipped with 3 driving modes: “E-Mode” (electric), “Hybrid” or “Battery Control” (charge maintenance). 

Battery and autonomy of the Golf

Housed at the rear as before, the battery retains the lithium-ion. Compared to the previous generation, its capacity increases from 8.7 kWh to 13 kWh on both versions.

A little more economical, the eHybrid version promises 55 to 71 km in the WLTP mixed cycle while the GTE version offers between 52 and 64 km. 

Consumption and CO2 emissions

With the transition from the NEDC approval cycle to the most recent WLTP, the theoretical average consumption of the plug-in hybrid Golf is decreasing. This 2020 generation benefits from a larger battery and therefore more electric driving, an advantage. The Golf eHybrid claims 0.9 to 1.5 l/100 km of fuel depending on version, the Golf GTE 1.1 to 1.5 l/100 km. 

Charging the Volkswagen Golf plug-in hybrid

For those familiar with the previous version, you will have to learn a new reflex when charging. The socket is no longer located on the logo at the front, but on the left front fender.

Volkswagen still does not offer accelerated charging above 3.6 kW. At this power, it takes 3h40 to recover the entire battery, compared to 7h15 on a domestic socket (2.3 kW).