Is the Golf GTI of the future a plug-in hybrid ? Volkswagen thinks so.

The annual Wörthersee reunion in Austria has become the Mecca of the GTI cult. Each year, enthusiasts gather and are treated with ambitious concepts celebrating decades of hot hatch history. For this 2015 edition, Volkswagen presents as a world premiere a bold concept: a 2-seater sport version of the GTE, the hybrid version of the GTI. Its mission is ambitious: sports car and zero emissions vehicle.

The powertrain of this GTE Sport Concept uses three engines. A 1.6  liter TSI unit derived from the Polo R WRC race car is installed under the front hood. Its output is a healthy 400 Nm (295 lb ft) and 299 hp. VW then adds not one but two electric motors. One is located in the housing of the 6-ratio DSG gearbox, with peak torque of 330 Nm (243 lb ft) and a peak power of 115 hp. The other drives the rear axle: its power is also 115 hp, but torque is 270 Nm (199 lbft). Total torque reaches 670 Nm (494 lb ft) while system power reaches 400 hp. The electric motors are powered by a Lithium Ion battery, rechargeable either from the grid or by kinetic recovery.

The GTE Sport Concept is therefore a wolf in sheep clothes. In electric mode, it will cover up to 50 km (31 mi) without sipping a drop of gazoline. In GTE Sport mode, the 0-100 km/h acceleration is covered in 4.3 seconds, thanks in part to the all wheel drive transmission. Top speed is 280 km/h and normalized gas mileagle (according to the NEDC cycle) is only 2.0L/100km.

The chassis of this two seater concept is built out of carbon fiber, with doors hinger on the A pillar that swing up, as on the XL1. Volkswagen benefits here from the experience gathered on the Bugatti Veyron and the XL1. The two occupants are split by a large carbon fiber spinem and seated low and rearward in carbon fiber bucket seats with 5 point harnesses. The instruments use a new concept based on transparent display. The nearest unit displays the current gear and energy recovery status. The second provides a power-meter and electric boost level. The third and largest shows the usual information such as speed, but can also display the ideal line on a race track in GTE mode. An auxiliary display is located in front of the passenger. The buttons allowing to switch between “Electric”, “GTE” and “Hybrid” modes are located on the roof, aircraft style. The GTE Sport Concept rides on 235/35R20 front, 275/30R20 rear. Dimensions are 4127 mm in length, 1869 mm in width and only 1235 mm in height.

With this Golf GTE Sport Concept, Volkswagen paints a vision of a near future where hybrid technology enables the use of very high performance downsized internal combustion engines, but also low CO2 emissions and the distinct experience of driving an electric vehicle.

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