Volkswagen has unveiled the Touareg R plug-in hybrid in late February but the 456 HP (462 PS) performance model is not the only PHEV version the flagship SUV will get in Europe.
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 (228 HP) 2.0-liter TSI turbocharged four-cylinder engine, a 100 kW (136 PS / 134 HP) electric motor and an 18 kWh battery for a system output of 367 PS (362 HP).
See Also: Continental Conundrum – 2021 VW Atlas Cross Sport Vs. New VW Touareg
The all-electric driving range is up to 58 km (36 miles) 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 (516 lb-ft), it will most definitely not be a slouch. Expect VW to debut the Touareg GTE later this year in Europe, likely as a 2021MY.
![](https://www.carscoops.com/wp-content/themes/carscoops/assets/images/icons/arrow.png"){kind=icon}