VOLKSWAGEN Passat Variant GTE 2015-2019 Photos, engines & full specs

At the 2014 Paris Motor Show, Volkswagen showed its cleanest Passat version, the GTE. The new plug-in hybrid had the advantages of low running costs based on a trusted platform.

After the big scandal over the Dieselgate, where Volkswagen Group had to pay billions of dollars to the U.S. in fines and fixes for the cars it sold, the German car manufacturer switched its focus to build plug-in hybrid vehicles with fuel-efficient gasoline engines and electric motors.

When compared to other engine variants of the Passat, the GTE could be recognized by its specific chromed grille with an additional blue line. The front bumper was also redesigned in the lower air scoops and some C-shaped LED daytime running lights were added. The LED headlights were fitted as standard. From the side, the 17" "Astana" light-alloy wheels were featured as standard. In the rear, a pair of fake twin chromed exhausts were fitted on the lower side of the bumper.

Inside the cabin, there were few specific features for the Passat GTE station wagon. The standard infotainment unit with a 6.5" touch-screen display was installed. Blue ambient lighting and blue stitches for the leather-trimmed steering wheel were part of the specific features. The car's charging system and the climate control unit could have been controlled via a smartphone specific app. For the trunk area, the Passat Variant GTE offered 650 liters (23 cu-ft") of space. On the rear side windows, the window defroster was fitted as standard.

The main advantage of a Passat Variant GTE was the possibility to be driven in electric mode, hybrid mode, or just with the gasoline engine, on higher speeds where the electric motor wouldn't be efficient.