Volkswagen introduced the GTE as a plug-in hybrid for the hot-hatch market, which was an unusual decision, but it was a bold move that paid off.
Volkswagen Golf was a successful car, and regardless of the engine version, it was a sales-winner on all the markets. Also, the Golf GTI was considered the inventor of the hot-hatch segment, which it dominated for decades. But, as times changed, the German carmaker offered the hot-hatch in the form of a plug-in hybrid, which was not a slow car either. While the first GTI could do a 0-100 kph (0-62 mph) in less than 10 seconds with a 4-speed manual, the 2014 GTE could do much better than that.

The exterior design is instantly recognizable Golf. There are some small details to tell the difference. On the front, there was a blue line that went across the grille and continued inside the headlights. The bigger front bumper included side air-scoops and a grille that sported a honeycomb mesh design. The aerodynamic side-sills made the car look sportier, and so was the rear roof spoiler. Volkswagen installed the 16” light-alloy wheels as standard with an option for 17” or 18”, respectively. Unlike most plug-in hybrid vehicles that didn’t show any exhaust, the GTE featured twin pipes in the rear.

Inside, there were some classic design cues and some modern touches. For instance, the upholstery had the same pattern as the original Golf GTI, with slim blue lines instead of red. The instrument panel featured big round dials for the speedometer and a power meter that supplemented the tachometer.

Under the hood, the carmaker installed a dual system with a 1.4-liter turbocharged gasoline unit that provided 150 hp and an electric motor that offered 102 hp.