Volkswagen has announced its first strong-hybrid engine, which will be available with the international-spec Golf hatchback and T-Roc SUV from the fourth quarter of 2026 (October-December). The new strong-hybrid setup on Volkswagen cars will be similar to the strong-hybrid offerings from Honda, Maruti, and Toyota in India.
- Strong-hybrid setup includes a 1.6kWh battery and two motors
- Could be driven in an electric-only mode at speeds up to 60kph
- Will be offered in two states of tune, of around 138hp and 172hp
Volkswagen Golf, T-Roc strong hybrid: All you need to know
Will be offered in two states of tunes
Volkswagen will pair the new strong hybrid setup on the Volkswagen Golf and T-Roc with the 1.5-litre TSI engines, which will power the front wheels. Notably, this is the updated Evo2 version of the 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine that is offered with the Taigun and Virtus (EA211 Evo) in the manufacturer's Indian lineup. The hybrid system includes a 1.6kWh battery and two electric motors – one for the drive and another as a generator. The battery pack is integrated into the rear section of the floors of both cars.
Volkswagen says that the strong-hybrid setup will be offered in two states of tuning, which our sister publication, Autocar UK, has learnt will be around 138hp and 172hp. This setup enables an electric-only drive at speeds up to 60kph, with the engine working as a generator. As speeds rise, the electric motor acts as a booster when accelerating.
Volkswagen says that the “new hybrid models are not dependent on charging cables and charging infrastructure” and hence have lower purchase costs. Hence, in the Golf lineup, a strong-hybrid option will sit between the more affordable eTSI mild-hybrid and the costlier GTE plug-in hybrid. On the T-Roc, however, it will be positioned at the top of the lineup. It has been learned that the US and other global export markets of the Golf will receive the 172hp version.
Suraj Viswanathan
Glenn Noronha
Dhruv Dhaka
Uday Singh
