One downside to the electronic motor and battery is its susceptibility to cold temperatures. To cure this, Volkswagen fit a heat pump to increase range by 20% during the winter. When the car is not in use or in the event of a crash, the power from the battery is automatically cut off by a battery management controller. In terms of power delivery, the Volkswagen e-Golf electric motor delivers 85 kW (equivalent to 115 instantaneous horsepower). From a standing start, it develops maximum torque of 270 Nm. Zero to 60 km/h is dealt with swiftly in just 4.2 seconds making it very fast indeed. To 100 km/h, the e-Golf takes just 10.4 seconds and top speed is electronically limited, at 140 km/h. Range is between 130 and and 190 km depending on a number of variables. We would say 140 kilometers is possible without compromise. 90 km/h, disables the air conditioning and slows throttle responds. Another consideration to be taken into account with the e-Golf is how you wish to charge it. It comes with a charging cable supplied as standard which allows you to plug it into a 230-volt mains electrical socket.
This takes as much as 13 hours from empty to full. To cut this time, Volkswagen can fit a wall box for the garage or carport which finishes the job in just 8 hours. Optionally, a much faster DC current can be specced allowing for an 80 per cent in around 30 minutes - sadly these charging stations are extremely rare in large parts of the world. The Volkswagen GTE is a hybrid family hatchback fitted with both a combustion engine and an electronic motor. It is familiar to the Golf GTI and GTD and it has the performance credentials to counteract its economy rhetoric. Similar to the e-Golf, the front facia features a set of LED headlights with a blue LED line splitting it from the lower facia. The trademark C shape whit LED daytime running lights sit on the lower facia, yet the GTE is distinguished in true Volkswagen style by a subtle badge applied to the grille.
The front facia features much larger air intakes, necessary to feed more air into the engine. The side skirts and roof-edge spoiler mirror those applied to the GTI. The combustion engine is a 1.4-liter turbocharged four cylinder engine with 148 hp to offer. The electric motor offers an additional 101 hp making the combined, total output figure somewhere in the region of 201 hp and 350 Nm of torque. The electric motor has a high-voltage 8.8 kWh liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery - considerably lower than the e-Golf’s 24.2 kWh rating. The power is driven through a six-speed DSG gearbox. Weight is reported to be 1,524 kg - which is considerably more than the 1,351 kg of the GTI and 1,377 kg of the Volkswagen GTD. The combined effect of both engines is to accelerate the car from zero to 62 mph in just 7.6 seconds. The top speed is 135 mph which will please those autobahn regulars. Another headline figure is the economy figure, with a 31 mile pure-electric range and an overall range of 584 miles. Inside, the 6.5 inch touchscreen gets unique features.
“Driving range monitor” allows a an overview of the current electric driving range alongside calculations and suggestions to improve this figure. Our experiences with both cars were limited to mainly City driving around the busy streets of the German capital. We have never been a fan of electric cars, the lack of flexibility and infrastructure to make it a suitable alternative for efficient, lightweight petrol and diesel cars. Also our frame of reference is rather interesting with the McLaren P1’s E-mode as most recent electric driving experience. To start with our observations of the Volkswagen e-Golf. As you would expect, there is no ‘Sport’ button to be found in this car. In normal mode, the driver has access to the full power at the cost of a reduced range. In both eco modes, the e-Golf offers up less power and amenities like air-conditioning in exchange for an increase in the range.
With the car set in Normal mode, it becomes clear that the e-Golf makes an ideal city car. It feels light and nimble, the low-down power is well suited to the city driving environment. Sprints from 0-100 km/h and from 50 km/h to 80 km/h feel fast and are sometimes accompanied by a bit of wheel spin. The torque is there from the start and remains very linear until you take your foot from the accelerator. In the city of Berlin is makes for a very fun and playful experience. In most cars the sound is something we particular enjoy, in the e-Golf its rather the lack of it that puts a smile on our face. By comparison, step into the GTE and the experience is different. You start automatically in “e-mode” which allows the Golf GTE to perform as a zero-emissions vehicle, yet at the touch of a “GTE” button, you can activate a sporty side with both petrol and electronic power.
