The VW Passat GTE makes its showroom debut in the UK, wanting to offer customers the best of all worlds.

The first Passat to be offered with a plug-in hybrid powertrain certainly has the figures to back this claim: the combined output is rated at 215hp (218PS) and 295lb ft (400Nm) of torque with the official NEDC fuel economy figures set at 166mpg UK (1.6lt/100km) and just 39g/km of CO2 emissions.

The powertrain consists of a turbocharged 154hp (156PS) 1.4-litre TSI engine paired to an 113hp (115PS) electric motor, sending their power to the front axle via a specially developed six-speed DSG gearbox.

When fully-charged the 9.9kWh lithium-ion battery pack provides enough juice to allow the Passat GTE to travel up to 31 miles (50km) on electric power alone. Charging to a full takes around four hours and 15 minutes when using a standard UK domestic mains outlet, or two hours and 30 minutes when a dedicated wall box with a 3.6kW supply is used.

0-62mph (0-100km/h) comes in 7.6 seconds while top speed is rated at 140mph. VW reckons it will travel 660miles (1,062km) on a full tank of gas.

The exterior of the Passat GTE features exclusive C-shaped LED daytime running lights and an additional blue line that runs across the radiator grille, similar traits we’ve seen before in the Golf GTE. The front bumper is also redesigned while the standard 18in wheels are also model-specific.

The cabin features blue ambient lighting, a leather-trimmed steering wheel with blue stitching, a GTE-specific gear knob while the seats are trimmed in Alcantara with Vienna leather side bolsters.

Pricing starts at £36,525 for the Passat GTE saloon but the price tag drops to £34,025 once you count the UK’s OLEV grant. Those wishing for more practicality can opt for the Estate version which adds 81lt to the boot capacity (483lt against 402lt). The order books are open now, with first deliveries commencing immediately.

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