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Volkswagen debuts two Golf hybrid concepts

Golf GTI First Decade is the first electrified car to carry the GTI badge; GTE Estate ImpulsE focuses heavily on the car’s electric powertrain.
2 min read24 May '17
Autocar India News DeskAutocar India News Desk
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Volkswagen Golf GTI First Decade

Volkswagen Golf GTI First Decade

Volkswagen Golf GTI First Decade cabin.

Volkswagen GTE Estate ImpulsE

Volkswagen GTE Estate ImpulsE

Two new Volkswagen Golf hybrid concepts – the Golf GTI First Decade and the GTE Estate ImpulsE – have been revealed at the Wörthersee meeting in Austria. Both concepts feature hybrid tech in their powertrains, albeit in very different forms.

The Golf GTI First Decade carries the title of being the first electrified car to carry the GTI badge and is powered by a 401hp, petrol engine driving the front wheels, and a 48V 12kW electric motor which powers the rear wheels. The two systems can work together or separately, which means that front, rear and all-wheel drive is possible, depending on which motor is chosen. These are selectable via an app, or through the car’s infotainment system, via Mirror Link.

Blue shades adorn the exterior of the car – inspired by the Wörthersee Lake and blue sky – while the number 10 on the side signifies the car as the 10th apprentice project presented at Wörthersee. A Clubsport rear spoiler and 20-inch mb-Design alloys have also been fitted.

The interior features the apprentices’ app-controlled adjustable sports seats feature, which also have massage functions. Despite the racier appearance of the car’s exterior, the creators of the car – a team of apprentices from Volkswagen’s Brunswick and Wolfsburg facilities – wished to keep the interior more restrained. Only blue highlights from the car’s exterior are carried through to interior trim, and blue contrasting upholstery stitching. An 11-speaker sound system with subwoofer and LED lighting takes up the space normally occupied by the rear seats and boot.

The Golf GTE Estate ImpulsE, created by apprentices from Sachsen is another hybrid, but with a heavier focus on the car’s electric powertrain. A 165kW system is used, with a 16.8kWh prototype battery pack – increased from 8.8kWh of the standard pack.

It’s marked out by a five-tone matte colour scheme and bonnet vents on the outside, and matching interior trim, with ambient lighting colours controlled via an app.

2018 Bentley Continental GT to be based on Porsche platform

The next-gen Continental GT will be comprehensively re-engineered; hybrid version planned to join the line-up.
2 min read24 May '17
Autocar India News DeskAutocar India News Desk

Bentley Continental GT V8 S (for representation purpose).

Mahindra to invest in next-gen EV tech

The company will focus on developing manufacturing and charging infrastructure, new high-end powertrains, battery tech, and more.
2 min read24 May '17
Staff WriterStaff Writer

2017 Toyota Innova Touring Sport: a close look

Toyota has added to the Innova line-up with a new Touring Sport variant.
2 min read24 May '17
Nikhil BhatiaNikhil Bhatia

Tacho and speedo get red detailing.

Black and chrome detailing is tastefully executed.

Side skirts and wheel cladding are unique to the Touring Sport.

Tailgate gets gloss black band atop number plate mount.

Blacked-out 16-inch rims are stylish but look a size too small.

Contrast stitching in cabin looks sporty.

Govt clears Elon Musk’s sourcing doubts

Govt's 'Make in India' Twitter handle responds to Tesla chief’s tweet; pitches for setting up a manufacturing base.
2 min read23 May '17
Autocar India News DeskAutocar India News Desk

Mercedes to introduce new entry-level petrol engines

The new engines are planned for launch in the next-generation of compact Mercedes models, starting with the new A-class in 2018.
1 min read23 May '17
Autocar India News DeskAutocar India News Desk

Current Mercedes A-class.

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