Volkswagen Golf GTE Plug-In Hybrid Hits the Street

Originally published on Gas 2 by Christopher DeMorro

EV Central. PHEV Sales. The Volkswagen Golf GTE may be precisely what the market needs.

The Volkswagen Golf GTE is exactly what I was hoping for; an affordable, performance-oriented plug-in hybrid that lets you go fast without the gas-guzzling guilt. With a combined 258 ft-lbs of torque and a top speed higher than the Tesla Model S, this little hybrid Golf promises to be big fun without sucking down a whole lotta gas.

Just as speculation suggested, the Volkswagen Golf GTE gets a 1.4 liter turbo engine good for 148 horsepower mated to an electric motor at the front wheels with a maximum output of 101 horsepower. Combined output of both drivetrains is 201 horsepower, with 258 lovely ft-lbs of torque. Just as important though, the Golf GTE can go up to 31 miles on electric power only, up to a maximum speed of 81 MPH.

That gives the Golf GTE the equivalent of 157 MPG, though real-world numbers are likely to be a lot lower. Still, as the Chevy Volt proved, if your commute is amicable to plug-in hybrids, you can go literally thousands of miles on just a few drops of fuel… and the GTE promises to get you there quickly as well, with the shifting handled by a dual-clutch six-speed slushbox.

The Golf GTE can go from 0 to 60 MPH in 7.6 seconds, only about a second slower than Volkswagen’s own version of the hot hatch, the Golf GTI. It can also achieve a top speed of 135 MPH given the space, a full 10 MPH more than the standard Tesla Model S (top speed, 133 MPH). It’s the latest addition to the Golf GT line that also includes the much-coveted Golf GTD turbodiesel.

The only real problem as far as I can see it? Volkswagen has no plans to bring this awesome car to America, instead giving us an electric e-Golf model to hold us over. Whomp whomp whommmmp.

EV Central. PHEV Sales. Volkswagen Golf GTE. Autodesk VRED Professional 2014 1

EV Central. PHEV Sales. Volkswagen Golf GTE. Autodesk VRED Professional 2014 2

EV Central. PHEV Sales. Volkswagen Golf GTE. Autodesk VRED Professional 2014 3

EV Central. PHEV Sales. Volkswagen Golf GTE. Autodesk VRED Professional 2014 4

EV Central. PHEV Sales. Volkswagen Golf GTE. Autodesk VRED Professional 2014 5

EV Central. PHEV Sales. Volkswagen Golf GTE. Autodesk VRED Professional 2014 6

Source: Volkswagen

This article, Introducing The Peppy Volkswagen Golf GTE Plug-In Hybrid, is syndicated from Clean Technica and is posted here with permission.

About the Author

Christopher DeMorro is a writer and gearhead who loves all things automotive, from hybrids to HEMIs. When he isn’t wrenching or writing, he’s running, because he’s one of those crazy people who gets enjoyment from running insane distances.

The Top 14 Fuel Efficient Cars for 2014

by Zachary Shahan

EV Central. EV Sales. Chevy Spark

Time for an update of the most fuel efficient cars on the US market. Notably, this 2014 fuel efficient cars list includes 2012 and 2013 models — in cases where a 2014 is not yet out and rated. Check out the details in this EV Obsession repost:

The EPA has updated its list of the most efficient cars in the United States. So, I decided I’d do an updated post on this. However, I’m going to do something a little different this time. I’m also going to throw in recent models that don’t have a 2014 version yet, or won’t at all, but would make this list if it were a little more inclusive.

1. 2014 Chevy Spark EV
119 MPGe (128 City / 109 Highway)

2. 2014 Honda Fit EV
118 MPGe (132 City / 105 Highway)

3. 2014 Fiat 500e
116 MPGe (122 City / 108 Highway)

4. 2014 Nissan Leaf
114 MPGe (126 City / 101 Highway)

5. 2012 Mitsubishi i
112 MPGe (126 City / 99 Highway)

6. 2014 smart electric drive
107 MPGe (122 City / 93 Highway)

7. 2014 Ford Focus Electric
105 MPGe (110 City / 99 Highway)

8. 2013 Tesla Model S (60 kWh battery)
95 MPGe (94 City / 97 Highway)

9. 2013 Tesla Model S (85 kWh battery)
89 MPGe (88 City / 90 Highway)

10. 2014 Toyota RAV4 EV
76 MPGe (78 City / 74 Highway)

11. 2014 Chevy Volt
62 MPGE (63 City / 61 Highway)

12. 2014 Ford C-Max Energi
58 MPGE (63 City / 54 Highway)

12. 2014 Ford Fusion Energi
58 MPGE (63 City / 54 Highway)

12. 2014 Toyota Prius Plug-in
58 MPGE (59 City / 56 Highway)

Clearly, pure-electric vehicles take the cake when it comes to “fuel” efficiency, followed by efficient plug-in hybrids and then conventional hybrids (not on this list). A conventional hybrid, let alone a full gasmobile, can’t even make it into the top 10 anymore. One day, kids will be shocked to hear that we had to fill cars up with inefficient gasoline.

This article, Fuel Efficient Cars 2014 — Top 14, is syndicated from Clean Technica and is posted here with permission.

About the Author

Zachary Shahan is the director of CleanTechnica, the most popular cleantech-focused website in the world, and Planetsave, a world-leading green and science news site. He has been covering green news of various sorts since 2008, and he has been especially focused on solar energy, electric vehicles, and wind energy for the past four years or so. Aside from his work on CleanTechnica and Planetsave, he’s the Network Manager for their parent organization – Important Media – and he’s the Owner/Founder of Solar Love, EV Obsession, and Bikocity. To connect with Zach on some of your favorite social networks, go to ZacharyShahan.com and click on the relevant buttons.

2014 Ford Fusion Energi Plug-in Hybrid Review [Video]

by John Brian Shannon

EV Central. PHEV Sales. Ford Fusion Energi

Thinking of buying the Ford Fusion Energi? Need to move up from the four seat Chevy Volt to comfortable seating for five adults?

Comparing these two hybrid cars is like comparing apples with oranges. Sure, the Volt has that name and has been around in its present iteration for some time, and is synonymous with good value and for generally keeping its advertised promises.

But the limitations of the Volt are becoming apparent to growing families. The great-looking Chevy Volt which never seems to age, only seats four, (two of which must be children or smallish adults) in order to fit into the back seat — while the Fusion has plenty of room for five adults and is better looking than the Volt. Give credit to Ford’s styling department, which, happily for Fusion owners allows the Fusion Energi look more expensive than it really is.

The Fusion gets 100 mpg (equivalent) on battery power, and it drives on 100% battery power for the first 21 miles of every trip — assuming it begins the trip on a full charge.

If you live less than 21 miles from work, and start your drive with a fully-charged battery, (and plug it in when you get to work) you can drive it back home on 100% battery power. Keep this up all year, and you might never again burn a gallon of gas.

Most Volt and Fusion owners report that they spend about $1.00 for electricity (per driving day) on average — depending on your electricity rate, and the time of day you choose to charge. And if you drive within the 100% electric range of either car every day, you may eventually forget that the car has a gas tank.

The only exception to this rule, is when driving in very cold temperatures as battery life is temporarily shortened for the duration of any cold snap, and in either car, the computer will start-up the engine well within the advertised 100% EV battery range to; 1) add charge to the battery and 2) make certain the gas engine is properly warmed up and 3) up to the task of moving the car under any driving conditions.

For youngish families that originally chose the Chevy Volt but now find they need more room, the 2014 Ford Fusion Energi is a roomy, stylish and affordable choice.

Here is AutoTrader’s right-to-the-point video, entitled, “2014 Ford Fusion Energi: 5 Reasons to Buy.“

2014 Ford Fusion Energi photos (3)

Ford Fusion Energi dashboard

The 2014 Ford Fusion Energi SE clearly shows 3 seat belts in the back seat and plenty of room, for a total of five passengers.

Ford’s plug-in system can be plugged into 110V or 220V electrical sockets. 2014 Ford Fusion Energi SE