When new technology appears in one part of VW's multi-brand empire, you can bet your house that it will pop up somewhere else not long afterwards.
For example, a few months after the introduction of the Audi A3 e-tron, Volkswagen itself created its own plug-in hybrid hatchback using the same 1.4-litre turbo petrol engine, electric motor, battery pack and DSG semi-automatic gearbox.
The combined output of the two power units is 201bhp, not far short of the GTI's 217bhp and quite a bit more than the 181bhp of the GTD diesel. This is not, however, a train of thought that should be allowed to go too far.
Because of all the extra equipment it has to carry, the Golf hatchback GTE is a lot heavier than other cars. Although it's only slightly slower from 0-62mph than the GTD (7.6 seconds as opposed to the diesel's 7.5) it doesn't otherwise feel remotely like a hot hatch.
That's the case even if you select GTE mode, which ensures that the engine and motor run at the same time for maximum performance. It also firms up the steering to an only just noticeable extent. It's pleasant enough to drive, as Golfs generally are, but it would be an odd sort of fellow who decided to take one out on a track day.
GTE mode is one of five you can choose from. There's also E-mode, which keeps the car running on electric power for as long as there's enough charge in the battery. Also, there’s Battery Charge, which prioritises range, Battery Hold, which keeps the range constant, and Hybrid Auto, in which the car makes its own decisions.
The DSG gearbox has a conventional Drive mode, but also one called B-mode. If you use this, the motor turns into a generator as soon as you lift off the throttle, and you get quite a considerable braking effect. It's so strong that you can operate the car for quite a long way without touching the brake pedal at all. This is odd when you're not used to it but quite satisfying when you are.
In town, of course, the GTE is exceptionally easy to drive, in the manner of all electric cars. There's nothing to do except accelerate, slow down and change direction, the last of these being a positive pleasure since the steering is wonderfully smooth. On country roads the car feels rather lumpen due to its extra weight, and what Volkswagen describes as "sports" suspension doesn't have the effect that that term suggests.
Like every other plug-in hybrid on the market, the Golf GTE is expensive to buy. The list price is £33,035, and once the Government's Plug-In Car Grant has been applied you're still left with a bill of £28,035, making this one of the costlier models in the range.
The upside is, of course, the greatly reduced running costs. According to the EU test cycle (which ignores the environmental impact of producing the mains electricity you can use to top up the battery pack), CO2 emissions are just 39g/km. Therefore, you don't have to pay any Vehicle Excise Duty, and the car is exempt from the London congestion charge. For business users, Benefit In Kind taxation is as low as it can possibly be, at 5% now and rising to 16% in April 2019.
Combined fuel economy is 166g/km, but the official figure is notoriously even more unreliable for plug-in hybrids than it is for more conventional cars. If you keep using the performance you won't get anywhere near it. If, on the other hand, you stay in town, keep recharging the battery and never do trips of more than 30 miles, you'll never use any petrol at all and your fuel bill will be very small.
If you have some technical knowledge you might be alarmed at the prospect of an engine sitting still for what might be years on end. In fact, that won't happen. The GTE's starter motor will unobtrusively turn the engine through two revolutions every so often to sweep oil across the bearings and ensure nothing unfortunate happens next time it fires up.
Practicality isn't the GTE's strong suit. It's the same shape as all other Golfs but space has had to be made for the battery pack. Luggage capacity is therefore reduced from the usual 380 litres to 272, or only 21 more than you get in the VW up! city car.
There is only one trim level, which includes 18-inch wheels, dual-zone automatic air-conditioning with dust and pollen filters, DAB digital radio and adaptive cruise control. The optional satellite navigation system is very good, and priced accordingly at £1,765.
