Slated to debut
later this year is the VW Touareg GTE, a lower-powered plug-in hybrid model
that was supposed to debut in China in late 2019 but is not featured on the
local customer website. Seen in these spy shots devoid of any camouflage while
undergoing cold weather testing in northern Sweden, the VW Touareg GTE for
European markets is expected to pack the same powertrain as the Chinese model.
The plug-in hybrid system consists of a
231 PS 2.0-liter TSI turbocharged four-cylinder engine, a 136
PS electric motor and an 18 kWh battery for a system output of 367 PS. The all-electric driving range is up to 58 km in the
Chinese version and should be slightly smaller in Europe given the stricter
WLTP regime.
You’ll be able to identify the new Touareg
GTE thanks to the GTE badges on the grille and front doors, with the rest of
the exterior package looking exactly the same as the Touareg V8 TDI. Mind you,
the ‘facelifted’ VW badge should replace the old one this test vehicle still
features for some reason.
The Touareg GTE will target customers for
which the Touareg R is too flashy and expensive, who care more about low
emissions than performance. Still, with a system torque of 700 Nm,
it will most definitely not be a slouch. Expect VW to debut the Touareg GTE
later this year in Europe, likely as a 2021MY.
