Volkswagen Golf GTE plug-in hybrid heads to Geneva motor show

The range-defying Volkswagen Golf GTE will make its debut at the Geneva motor show next month. The magic is in the numbers. It comes with a four-pot, 1.4-liter turbocharged engine that can crank out 148-bhp, mated to a 101-bhp electric motor. The combination puts out 201 hp with 258 lb-ft of torque, making short drives more exciting, and longer trips easier on the pocketbook.

With the GTE in electric mode, the VW will be able to hit a top speed of 81 mph. We think the sacrifice is worth the 548-mile range -- that works out to about 130 mpg.

This certainly isn't your run-of-the mill hybrid either. It has exterior lines that meld together the GTI, e-Golf and a little of the Golf R. Another interesting feature is the signature C-shaped LED running lights that identify it as a Volkswagen electric vehicle.

As for the internal battery pack, it comes with a near 100,000-mile (160,000 km) warranty. So battery woes will be handled through that.

The R will feature a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four that pushes out 296 hp with 280 lb-ft of torque in the four-wheel drive layout.

In other Volkswagen news, the hopped-up Golf R is now available for U.K. customers ahead of the March 2014 delivery date.

The R will feature a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four that pushes out 296 hp with 280 lb-ft of torque in the four-wheel drive layout.

As for the exterior, the R will feature a unique front fascia with wider, more aggressive air inlets and a shorter ride height.

This power-packed Golf will also sit on a set of 18-inch Cadiz alloy wheels or a set of optional 19-inch Pretoris.

On the inside, cloth seats are accentuated with Alcantara bolsters -- with leather an option for those interested -- and the interior gauge cluster features the signature blue needles.

By Brad Wiley