Volkswagen opens order books for Golf eHybrid

Volkswagen is opening its order books for its new Golf eHybrid Style model.

Priced from £32,995 RRP OTR, the Golf eHybrid Style has CO2 emissions of 21 g/km (WLTP) and fuel economy of up to 235 mpg (WLTP, combined) – as well as a pure-electric range of 44 miles on a full charge.

Sitting beneath the 245 PS GTE, the new 204 PS eHybrid model is offered exclusively in luxurious ‘Style’ trim, meaning that this sprightly yet frugal new offering is as well appointed as it is well engineered.

It Comprises a 1.4-litre TSI petrol engine, an electric motor and a lithium-ion battery that is located beneath the rear bench seat. Maximum torque is 350 Nm and it can go from 0 to 62 mph in only 7.4 seconds, before going on to a top speed of 137 mph (where permitted).

The Golf eHybrid can also be driven in all-electric mode at speeds of up to 80 mph (where permitted), motorways can also be covered under purely electric power. It is also possible to reserve electric energy during longer journeys in order to guarantee that it is possible to drive in E-MODE, with zero local tailpipe emissions, in a built-up area at the destination.

A full charge of the battery in the Golf eHybrid is normally performed via an external power supply. A charge port is provided in the front wing on the driver’s side into which the charging cable is plugged. Depending on the power source, charging takes place with 2.3 or 3.6 kW alternating current (AC). When supplied with 230 volts at 2.3 kW via the normal domestic grid, the battery is fully charged in five hours if it had previously been completely empty. If the power source is a Volkswagen wall box or a charging station with 360 volts and a charging cable designed for 3.6 kW, the charging time is reduced to three hours and 40 minutes.

The battery charger manages charging fully automatically –all the driver has to do is to connect the plugs. The driver can also control the time at which charging takes place via the infotainment system or using the We Connect app on a smartphone, in order to benefit from cheaper off-peak electricity.

The Golf eHybrid features the now familiar 1.4-litre TSI (EA 211) engine, as well as a HEM80evo type electric drive motor on board. In order to be able to travel in E-MODE in town at the end of a longer trip, Volkswagen has reconfigured the operating modes of the hybrid system and therefore simplified battery recharging during the journey. Instead of five operating modes as with the previous generation Golf GTE, there are now two in the Golf eHybrid: E-MODE (all-electric driving) and Hybrid (automatic or manual changeover between electric motor and TSI engine).

Reflecting on the compelling offer created by the new Golf eHybrid, Volkswagen UK Head of Fleet Nick O’Neill said: “The Volkswagen Golf has always been a staple of the UK fleet sector and now, with the arrival of this exciting new plug-in hybrid option, I am sure we will see more companies taking the decision to add our exceptional new car to their fleets.

“The new Golf eHybrid’s persuasive list of attributes includes pure electric zero tailpipe-emission driving; superb long-distance fuel economy; generous equipment; and a BIK rate of only 7% – all underpinned by Volkswagen’s renowned build quality and superb retailer network. Together, they result in a  car that will especially appeal to company car drivers, as well as retail ones.”