Volkswagen has unveiled the plug-in hybrid Passat GTE prior to its official premiere during the Paris Motor Show next week.

Based on the eight generation Passat, the model is the third plug-in hybrid from the German manufacturer after the limited-run XL1 and the Golf GTE. When sales start in the second half of 2015, the vehicle will be available in both saloon and estate body styles.

Visually the GTE modification differs from the standard Passat with its blue accents on the radiator grille, the restyled front bumper with integrated C-shaped LED lights and the bigger alloy wheels. The interior benefits from a blue ambient lighting, a redesigned gear knob and a leather-trimmed flat bottom steering wheel.

The Passat GTE is powered by a petrol-electric hybrid system that includes a tuned version of the 1.4-liter TSI petrol unit rated at 156 HP (115 kW), supported by an electric motor with 115 HP (85 kW) and 400 Nm (243 lb-ft). The combined output is 218 HP (160 kW), while the transmission is a six-speed dual-clutch automatic.

Volkswagen says the average fuel consumption is 2.0 l/100 km (141 mpg) and 13.0 kWh/100 km, which responds to CO2 emissions of less than 45 g/km. With full 50-liter fuel trunk and lithium-ion battery fully charged, the car has a range of 1000 km (622 miles). The 0-100 sprint (0-62 mph) takes less than eight seconds, while top speed reaches 220 km/h (137 mph).

Source: Volkswagen