The 150 millionth Volkswagen delivered is a Golf GTE plug-in hybrid in Norway



Since its foundation back in 1937, the Volkswagen brand has become a household nameplate all over the world. The German automaker now celebrates yet another milestone to their 80-year heritage – delivering its 150 millionth Volkswagen.

Rolled out of the assembly line at the Wolfsburg plant in August, the Atlantic Blue Golf GTE plug-in hybrid found its way to a customer in the town of Lier in Norway. The new owner, Turid Sedahl Knutsen, decided on the Golf GTE due to its climate-friendly powertrain, sporty and exciting driving experience. For Knutsen, the Golf GTE is her sixth Golf and she has also owned two Passats, a Polo and Caravelle in the past.

Turid Sedahl Knutsen taking delivery of her new Golf GTE

The Golf GTE is powered by a 1.4-litre TSI turbocharged petrol engine with 148 hp coupled with a 101 hp electric motor to deliver a combined output of 201 hp. Drive is sent to the front wheels via a six-speed (wet clutch) DSG transmission. Sprinting to 100 km/h from zero takes 7.6 seconds and top speed is limited at 222 km/h.

The electric motor is juiced by an 8.7 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, giving the Golf GTE an all-electric range of 50 km (top speed of 130 km/h). Fuel consumption of this plug-in hybrid is an astonishing 1.7L/100km.

In Norway, all-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles accounts for 37 percent of all new vehicle registration from January to September – putting the Scandinavian country the frontrunner for e-mobility in Europe. This impressive figure is possible thank to a collaborative effort from the government and local authorities, power suppliers and vehicle manufacturers to make e-mobility a viable alternative for customers.

There was a point where the Volkswagen Golf GTE was slated for Malaysia, but that was kicked into cold storage after we’ve learnt why we can’t have the Golf GTE – or any GTE for that matter – in Malaysia.


IMAGE GALLERY

Volkswagen Golf GTE Facelift