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Volkswagen Golf GTE Goes on Sale from 36,900 Euros: Hybrid Hot Hatch

As if the Volkswagen Golf lineup of engines wasn't large and complicated enough, the German automaker has just launched another model in Germany. It's called the Golf GTE and at 36,900 euros, it's the second most expensive model, after the 300 horsepower R. So, what do you get for this much money?
Volkswagen Golf GTE Sportwagon 1 photo
Photo: Volkswagen Germany
Fans of the brand will of course already know the GTE is a new take on a classic, the GTI. It borrows the sportier setup of that car, but replaces the 2-liter turbo with a plug-in hybrid drivetrain, the same one used by the new Audi A3 e-tron. This uses a 1.4-liter TSI turbo and an electric motor to deliver the combined 204 PS though a six-speed DSG gearbox. Running on both electric power and turbocharged dinosaur juice gives the new Golf a bit of a split personality.

In its sportiest setting, this car will do 0 to 100 km/h in a very respectable 7.6 seconds and travel at well over 200 km/h if you bury your foot in the carpet.

However, there's also an all-electric mode where the battery and 75 kW / 102 hp electric motor power the car for up to 50 kilometers with zero emissions. If both the battery and the fuel tank are topped off, the GTE can hyper-mile its way on an all-round trip of about 940 kilometers.

You will need the money you save on gas because the option on this car are really expensive. Switching from a standard 16-inch wheel to the 18-inch option adds over €1000 and some of the body colors seem like they were priced with Porsche customers in mind. Navigation or full-leather seats also cost extra. If you have your heat set on a cleaner GTI, then check out the official configurator.
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About the author: Mihnea Radu
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Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
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