Volkswagen Golf GTE

Technology: Plug-in hybrid

Acceleration: 7.6 seconds

Top Speed: 136mph

CO2 Emissions: 39 g/km

Economy: 166 MPG (combined)

Official EV Driving Range: 31 miles

Power: 201bhp

BIK percentage: 5% (15/16); 7% (16/17); 9% (17/18)

Arrival date: Available now

The Volkswagen Golf GTE is an attempt by the German manufacturer to inject some excitement into its electric model range. Drawing on the legendary Golf GTI for inspiration, the GTE comes with a 1.4 litre turbocharged petrol engine and an electric motor. Combined these offer 201bhp, good for a 136mph top speed and a 0-62mph time of 7.6 seconds.

This isn’t at the sharp end of hot-hatches these days but this plug-in hybrid does have the party trick of being able to run for about 30 miles purely on electric power. Running on combined petrol-electric power, the Golf GTE has an overall range of around 580 miles.

Around a quarter of the boot space is lost with the addition of the hybrid kit but passenger space is not compromised and you still get the same spacious cabin as found in conventional Golfs.

Although the Golf GTE is not going to blow any sports cars away, there is a good level of performance available, combined with a good ride and easy-to-use nature. Add in VW’s build quality and reliability and the Golf GTE makes quite a case as the world’s first green hot-hatch.