Volkswagen is now accepting orders for the plug-in hybrid Passat GTE, which is priced from £36,390.

The new model has a zero-emissions range of 33-36 miles (WLTP) and has CO2 emissions from 29g/km.

It uses a 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine and electric motor, giving a combined 218PS and 400Nm. The 13kWh battery can be charged in around three-and-a-half hours.

Prices start at £1,635 lower than the outgoing Passat GTE and cars registered after April 2020 will attract a 10% Benefit-in-kind tax rate.

Volkswagen says the previous car accounted for one in ten Passat sales in the UK but the new model is expected to become even more popular, accounting for one in four Passat sales.

Standard features on the GTE include 17-inch alloy wheels, sports suspension, blue brake calipers, Discover Navigation system with eight-inch screen and a charging point in the radiator grille.

The GTE Advance model adds 18-inch alloy wheels, IQ.Light LED matrix headlights, Discover Navigation Pro with 9.2-inch colour screen and keyless entry with an easy open boot.

The 1.5-litre TSI EVO 150PS four-cylinder petrol engine with Active Cylinder Shutdown is also now available to order. This technology can shut down two of the four cylinders under certain low-load conditions in order to save fuel. It is available with a six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG transmission. In SE trim with a manual gearbox this engine and trim represent the entry-point into the Passat range, starting at £25,370 OTR.

The all-new 2.0-litre TDI EVO has opened for order with a seven-speed DSG transmission, with a newly designed six-speed manual transmission available soon. This new engine also features Active Cylinder Shutdown, a first for a Volkswagen brand diesel engine.

An extensive re-design results in a significant reduction in CO2 emissions compared with the previous version of this engine. When the manual transmission arrives later this year this version is expected to account for most Passat sales in the UK.

Patrick McGillycuddy, Head of Sales Operations at Volkswagen UK, said: “We are very pleased to have such a strong offering in the new Passat. It debuts many exciting new technologies for the Volkswagen brand such as Travel Assist and wireless App Connect, so is the perfect companion for families and business users that travel long distances.

“The previous Passat GTE was incredibly popular in the UK and I’m happy to say that we have increased the mix for the new model to match this strong demand. In fact, we expect 25% of sales for the new Passat will be the GTE.”

To read our review of the new Passat, click here.

VW Passat new additions prices, mpg and CO2:

 

 

Details of the other engines available in the new Passat range can be found here.