Volkswagen has announced plug-in hybrid versions of its Tiguan and Arteon to be released in 2020.

Volkswagen is making good on its electric mobility plans and while the all-electric ID.3 has been delayed, the brand is expanding its portfolio with an array of plug-in hybrids. Volkswagen claims the demand for some form of electrification has increased considerably in its domestic market of Germany with 1 in 2 Volkswagen Up! units is for the electric model, while 1 in 7 Passats sold is the plug-in hybrid.

The new plug-in engines look exciting on paper. The Volkswagen Passat GTE features a 1.4 TSI motor developing 115 kW as well as an electric motor with 85 kW. Combined, there's 160 kW and 400 Nm, and 3 driving modes. Impressively, it is claimed to cover up to 56 km on pure electric alone, which Volkswagen says beats the 42 km daily range by an average customer. It's this engine which we believe will be going into the Arteon and Tiguan plug-in hybrid models. There's also a Tiguan facelift due in 2020 to look forward too.

Volkswagen has already confirmed a GTE version of the new Golf 8, packing 180 kW as well as a Touareg R with its 340 kW hybrid V6. As for the South African market, Volkswagen SA has confirmed its undergoing trials with the ID.3 and e-Golf, before launching its electric cars to our market in 2022.

Further Reading

VW's Electric Strategy Kicks off in SA

Volkswagen SA's electric plans

New VWs Coming to SA in 2020

Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0 TDI Highline 4Motion DSG (2017) Quick Review

Volkswagen Arteon 2.0 TDI R-Line (2018) Quick Review

Volkswagen Touareg R: A car of many firsts