After the renewal of its Golf, the next step for Volkswagen concerns the restyling of Arteon and Tiguan. The first will be available in a brand new Shooting Brake version, and both models will have plug-in hybrid versions.
After the Passat GTE and the recent Touareg R eHybrid, Volkswagen will roll out its plug-in hybrid technology over a large part of its range. Thus, the Golf 8 will have a double offer with the eHybrid (204 hp) and GTE (245 hp) versions from the same technology as that used by the Passat: a 1.4 TSI petrol engine, optimized for the occasion, combined to an electric motor powered by a battery with a capacity of 13 kWh.
Before the end of the year, if the conditions linked to the Covid-19 crisis allow it, Volkswagen will launch two new models with this same plug-in hybrid technology: the Arteon and the Tiguan. Both arrive at restyling time: aesthetically, they will be brought up to date by adopting modern style elements.
Fuel consumption and battery range are essential criteria for plug-in hybrid models which can reach around 60 km in all-electric mode. However, beyond the importance of lower CO2 emissions in terms of regulations, Volkswagen is keen to maintain a certain level of performance on its models . According to Kai Philipp, head of electrified projects at Volkswagen, ” we want to offer cars that are as attractive as possible and the plug-in hybrid technology allows performance to be achieved in terms of both power and torque.”
According to our information, Volkswagen does not plan to offer plug-in hybrid versions with less than 204 hp. As for the future of 100% internal combustion engine sports cars, it is clearly in abeyance. Furthermore, this technology could perfectly extend to other models, such as the T-Roc . “It is technically possible on the MQB platform, but it will depend on the market,” says Kai Philipp. The latter will make a similar response regarding the possibility of integrating an all-wheel drive with an electric motor on the rear axle. Currently; Volkswagen only offers plug-in hybrid models (with the exception of the Touareg, which has a classic 4Motion transmission).
