The Passat is the next in Volkswagen’s lineup to test the GTE badge. With the-same-but-different 1.4-litre TSI petrol engine from the Golf GTE and a bigger, more developed lithium-ion battery pack. The adept electric motor with the increased weight of the Passat’s larger body is lithe and nimble underfoot. When the battery is fully charged it seems to pass through the air with ease, the brrum of the petrol engine kicking in once you hit the ‘GTE’ button or run out of charge. The saloon is a bit quicker than the Golf GTE from 0-100 kmh in 7.4 seconds from 218hp, with the all-important electric-only range remaining at 50 Km from full charge.
In every-day use I thought that charging might be a hassle, remembering to plug it in every night and un-plug every morning. While one morning I did manage to spill the remains of rainfall from the night before onto my shoes from the plastic charging protector, I didn’t find the plug/un-plug cable tidying process too annoying. There’s minimal time-loss incurred, but when you pay attention to the rewards you are reaping using common sense as well as the on-board infotainment system which updates you in real time as well as long term basis, you can see there is a difference. During the time I had the car the fuel gauge barely moved after 300km of city driving. I checked the details given within the infotainment system and (according to the system data) I still had over 600km worth of driving left in the tank. My journeys were all in and out of Dublin city, all painless using the superb DSG gearbox and commute friendly.
There are definite bonuses linked to electric charging but there are still issues which cannot be dealt with by the manufacturers alone. Apartment dwellers will be restricted to whether or not the management company provide suitable facilities. Those with on-street parking may not fancy leaving downstairs windows open for the charging leads to trail through (that is if they are guaranteed a spot directly outside their home).
On-street charging facilities aren’t always guaranteed. I found a free space with a double charging point outside of the ESB HQ on Fitzwilliam Street Lower where another car was also charging. Hooked up using one of two supplied cables from the boot, the Passat GTE was left to charge up over a couple of hours. At this particular time the parking was free (post 7pm). During peak times parking charges apply the same as any other space. The charging spaces are painted to imply that they are for car charging only but in reality there’s nothing to stop a stuck, petrol-only motorist from using the spaces.
I loved using the Composition Media infotainment system and it’s smartphone friendly capabilities. When receiving a text message whilst driving, the system asks you if you would like it to read out the message which it does, similar to Google Maps directions, a robotic voice getting most of the words correct with the odd struggle to pronounce Irish names and places but you get the gist.
To connect fully to the on board apps, I had to use the iOS charging cable, not just bluetooth alone (whilst using just Bluetooth it’s still possible for streaming & making calls). But that was fine, it meant that my phone was always fully charged. Other USB ports are available for your passengers to charge up whatever mobile devices they will be using in the cabin.
As an aid to consumer decision buying, Volkswagen have launched their ‘seeMore’ app. Download the Volkswagen app from Google Play or the App Store and use the scanner to start your digital Volkswagen adventure. Merging your real world surroundings with a virtual world of Volkswagen cars, it’s a fun, interactive experience. Watch the video here https://youtu.be/Ci75yJfp
The front lights are attention grabbing, the way the ‘c’ line forms under the main lights, found many admirers following the car as it passed by. Another hint that this is no ordinary Passat, alongside the blue brake calipers, the blue lines dashed subtly about the interior and exterior.
Electric is silent and clean, energy efficient and new. When done right, electric can be frugal and fearless. Mixed with a petrol electric hybrid engine, the city commute is full to the brim with business street cred. This comes at a price, estimated starting price is €45,000 the Passat moves you closer to the future while still keeping one foot safely in the past.