New Models
New Models

2020 Volkswagen Golf GTE and GTD revealed

Performance hybrid, and diesel versions of the 2020 Mk8 Golf revealed alongside new GTI


Volkswagen has revealed details of its new Golf GTE and GTD models ahead of their official debut at the 2020 Geneva motor show next week.

The GTE plug-in hybrid (PHEV) pairs a familiar 1.4-litre, 110kW turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with an 85kW motor and 13kWh battery. When combined, maximum power is raised to 180kW and 400Nm. These figures are on a par with the 2020 GTI for power but 30Nm up on torque.

By comparison, the Mk 7 Golf GTE utilised a 75kW electric motor to produce a maximum combined output of 150kW and 350Nm.

Power is sent to the front wheels through a six-speed DSG specially designed for use with the hybrid system. The 2020 Golf GTE can run on electrical power alone below 130km/h for up to 60km in low-stress situations (up 10km), but its default hybrid mode juggles both power sources.

A predictive hybrid control system is integrated into the car’s navigation. Utilising GPS and route data, the GTE can prepare for conditions and cater its hybrid system for maximum efficiency. WLTP figures are not cited.

Meanwhile, the GTD comes equipped with a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel powerplant producing 147kW and 400Nm. The GTD picks up a gear from its previous generation, sending power through the same seven-speed shift-by-wire DSG fitted to the 2020 GTI.

DCC adaptive chassis control can be optioned for both new performance models, allowing damping to be set by three pre-tuned and one tuneable mode: Comfort, Eco, Sport and Individual.

All models come with a new ‘Vehicle Dynamics Manager’ control system that tweaks the electronic differential and – if optioned – the DCC adaptive chassis control, creating a larger variance between comfort and performance modes.

The Golf GTE and GTD models share most of their exterior styling with their GTI sibling, however subtle design cues differentiate each from the petrol version.

A signature pinstripe will feature on the nose of all three variants, however the GTD will wear its in silver and the GTE in blue (compared to the GTI’s iconic red).

All three wear the honeycomb grille teased in concept rendering running the width of the front bumper with new X-shaped fog lights made up of five distinct lights. LED bars running along the top of the headlights come with the option of an illuminated strip to connect them above the front grille.

In the rear – aside from the badge – only exhaust tips (or lack thereof) give the models away.

While the GTI sports a dual exhaust with a tip on either side, the GTD tucks a neat twin-tip muffler into the left-hand side and the GTE opts for no visible exhaust exit at all – instead featuring a dress-up trim on the rear valance.

The GTE and GTD come with a 10-inch infotainment screen and a colour theme for the digital cockpit graphics and trim pieces mirrors their pinstripe found on the variant.

IQ.Drive can also be optioned, providing active steering, acceleration and braking assist at speeds up to 210km/h.

The addition of ‘Car2X’ – a system that lets cars communicate with nearby infrastructure, allowing suitably-equipped roads to warn of emergency conditions such as breakdowns or sudden braking manoeuvres – is also a first for the 2020 performance Golfs.

Australia

As with the Mk7 GTE, the limited production levels of this vehicle mean it's targetted at Europe. So it won't be coming to a low-demand market like Australia.

The GTD has not been offered here since the Mk6 Golf, and minuscule sales of diesels in the small car segment mean it will once again bypass us too.

The new GTI will go on sale in early 2021. Details here.

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