The covers have been lifted off the Volkswagen Passat GTE prior to its scheduled premiere at the 2014 Paris Motor Show next week.

Volkswagen’s latest plug-in hybrid

Taking inspiration from the eighth-generation Passat, the Volkswagen Passat GTE follows as the third plug-in hybrid from the German manufacturer after the limited-run XL1 and the Golf GTE and will be offered in both sedan and wagon body styles when it goes on sale across Europe during the second half of 2015.

Power is said to come from a petrol-electric hybrid system that comprises of a tuned version of the 1.4-litre TSI petrol unit with 115 kW and a 85 kW electric motor with 400 Nm. Together the two power sources send a total of 160 kW to the front wheels through a six-speed dual-clutch transmission.

The 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Technology is claimed to return 4.1L/100km on the combined European consumption cycle, CO2 emissions of 108g/km. With full 50-liter fuel trunk and lithium-ion battery fully charged, the Volkswagen Passat GTE has a range of 1000 km.

VW claims that the Passat GTE is capable of completing the 0-100 km/h sprint in no less than eight seconds before reaching a top speed of 220 km/h.

Visual modifications

The GTE is visually differentiated from the standard Passat with its blue accents on the radiator grille, a uniquely styled front bumper with low mounted C-shaped LED day time running lamps, GTE decals on the each of the front fenders and standard eight-spoke 17-inch “Astana” alloy wheels.

The interior benefits from a leather-trimmed flat bottom steering wheel with blue stitching, unique instrument graphics, a redesigned gear knob as well as standard aluminium and high gloss black plastic trim applications.