Anyone considered a GTE?

[dubber36]

I detest our 1.6TDI Match with a passion. It's just so dull, I won't drive it. My wife is happy enough with it, but in an 'it'll do' kind of way. I get my pleasure from my Amarok and on rare occasions my Mk2 GTI, but wondered if I'd get enthused a little more about a sportier Golf. I like the look of the GTE and am not too fussed about outright performance and handling dymanics, so if might fit the bill as something a little different. Or would it just be another small car that's just like every other?

Any thoughts anyone?

[davyk31]

We have had 2 GTEs in my company. They are great for company users as Company car tax is mega low. However they really aren’t that sporty, handling is more standard Golf than GTD or GTI standard and when running on the petrol engine they are just like any other Golf.

All in all the GTE is great as I say for a cheap company car but for private use it’s hard to see the benefit as the battery is run out after 20 miles.

And one of ours is currently with VW head office due to a recurring fault where it doesn’t start. Been off the road over 6 weeks of this year already. Local dealers have no one trained to work on the high voltage system so it’s been transported back to Milton Keynes to get fixed.

[davyk31]

So in conclusion, buy a GTD, GTI or R as they are a lot more special but still not outstanding if that is what you desire.

[fredgroves]

We had one here at my work.

Feedback was that the fully electric range wasn't even suitable for short range commuting (~20 miles), the charging takes forever. On petrol only its a gasping little petrol engine trying to push a battery heavy mid sized car. On leccy+petrol mode, its a bit better but it handles more like an entry level golf than a GTI. If you really want it to suck, try charging the battery from the petrol engine while driving... sub 20mpg and zero engine power.

The only plus side is that if its a company car, the tax rates are low.

If you want to play that game, get one of the Merc hybrids - you can have a proper 200+ bhp petrol engine with the electrical stuff only there to fool the taxman.

Hybrids are a blind alley in automotive tech and I'd be surprised to see them have any residual value in 5 years.

[davyk31]

Got to agree with Fred. I reckon selling a GTE in a few years will be hard work. All that technology ready to go wrong and batteries threatening to expire will put off most buyers. And the current issues with our car would be mega expensive if the car was out of warranty.

[CHB100]

Needs another 50 horses and a far better range, will probably get that in the 'shape' of the Mark 8. Current and delayed facelift GTE seems totally pointless with such a dreadful range. Bloody expensive shopping trolley. Better options out there IMO.

[random_nickname]

This GTE seems like a bit of false marketing if it doesn't handle or drive like the rest of the GT range

[Vwjap]

This GTE seems like a bit of false marketing if it doesn't handle or drive like the rest of the GT range

you do know there’s a gt all on its own, as in not gti/gtd, just a gt and the gte may be a spin off off that, but then I prefer a gt tdi to a gtd

[robtt]

From what I read electric mk8 Golf is going to be a real alternative to petrol and will make diesel redundant . Suggested range will be 250 miles plus  so for most that will be a charge a week .

[Exonian]

Utterly pointless car.
Just a political Golf model for company car drivers.
It looks pretty but has no other redeeming features compared to much better models (that cost less) in the range.