Volkswagen’s new Passat GTE plug-in hybrid will arrive in dealerships this month priced from £36,525.

The GTE is eligible for £2,500 towards the price of the vehicle from the Government’s plug-in car grant and this reduces the entry price to £34,025.

The new model will be available in saloon or estate body styles and VW says the GTE is capable of 166mpg and emits 39g/km CO2. The GTE has 400 Nm of torque combined with 216bhp to push the car from 0-62mph in 7.6 seconds and on to a top speed of 140mph.

VW says the potential range between refuelling stops is more than 660 miles. Charging is achieved either through a standard UK domestic mains outlet in around four hours and 15 minutes; or in two hours 30 minutes from a dedicated wallbox with a 3.6 kW supply.

The GTE can be driven up to 31 miles on electric power alone in E-mode.  A 1.4-litre TSI turbocharged petrol engine delivers 154bhp, while the electric motor adds a further 113bhp.

A specially developed six-speed DSG gearbox is standard on the GTE and features a third, disengagement clutch. This decouples the TSI motor whenever possible, to allow the vehicle to make best use of kinetic energy.

Under normal circumstances, the Passat GTE starts in pure electric E-Mode. When it reaches minimum battery charge hybrid mode is activated. Here the Passat GTE operates as a full hybrid, charging the battery under deceleration and automatically using the TSI motor and/or electric motor as required.  However, should the driver wish to conserve electric power (for example to use E-Mode in a city at the end of a journey), Battery Charge mode can be selected.  For maximum power, GTE mode can be chosen: this uses both petrol and electric motors.

The GTE’s design cues are share with the Golf GTE, with C-shaped LED daytime running lights and an additional blue line across the radiator grille.  A redesigned front bumper and 18-inch alloy wheels are standard.

Other standard features include blue ambient lighting, a leather-trimmed multifunction steering wheel with blue decorative stitching, GTE-specific gear knob with blue stitching and seats covered in Alcantara with Vienna leather side bolsters.  Unique GTE badging is also featured.

GTE customers can use a Car-Net e-Remote app which allows a wide variety of tasks – including charging – to be controlled via smartphone. All climate control functions can be also activated remotely, while information on the vehicle’s state of charge, recent driving data or last parking position can be displayed.  It is also possible to check whether the doors are closed and the lights turned off.

The Passat GTE comes in two highly spec trim levels in the UK.  On top of the standard features of the Passat GT (such as Adaptive Cruise Control with Front Assist and City Emergency Braking, Discover Navigation, Bluetooth and parking sensors), standard items include LED headlights and tail lights, Mode 2&3 charging cables and Car-Net e-Remote.  Standard items on the GTE Advance trim also include the new Active Info Display, Discover Pro navigation (eight-inch screen), Nappa leather, Area View and LED premium headlights.