Now, while VW may be marketing the Golf GTE as a greener alternative to the full-blown GTI model, the latter is actually much closer to the GTI than the diesel GTD is in terms of performance. The plug-in hybrid model was recently clocked as being able to hit 100 km/h or 62 mph in 6.3 seconds.

The manufacturer claims the GTE can sail past the benchmark sprint speed in in 7.6 seconds – now that’s a difference of 1.3 seconds, and it definitely made us raise an eyebrow. That’s a huge discrepancy between claimed and actual, and we don’t know why VW would underquote the GTE by this noticeable margin…

It's also two tenths quicker than the claimed time for the Golf GTI equipped with the manual six-speed...

The GTE gets its power from a 1.4-liter petrol engine with 148 hp plus the added shove of a 101 hp electric motor located in the housing of the DSG gearbox. The maximum combined output is said to be 201 hp, but now we’re not so sure, especially when the power plant duo could theoretically make more than claimed.

Weight for the Golf GTE is 1,524 kg or 3,360 lbs, of which the battery makes up around 120 kg or 264 lbs.

Check out the acceleration run in the video below courtesy of Automann-TV.

Packs 184 HP & 380 Nm

After a late January online reveal, the Volkswagen Golf GTD Variant has made its first public appearance at the 85th Geneva Motor Show.

The latest addition to Volkswagen’s biggest Golf family ever is a GTD (Gran Turismo Diesel) derivative of the Variant (wagon). It follows the Golf GTD hatchback which came out at the Geneva Motor Show two years ago and borrows the same four-cylinder 2.0-liter turbodiesel engine outputting 184 HP (135 kW) and a maximum torque of 380 Nm (280 lb-ft).

Due to the slightly higher weight, the hot diesel wagon needs an extra 0.4s to run the 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) which takes 7.9 seconds while fuel consumption stands at 4.4 liters / 100 km (53.4 mpg US or 64 mpg UK).

The Volkswagen Golf GTD Variant carries a starting price in Germany of €31,975 and comes as standard with 17-inch wheels, bi-xenon headlights, smoked taillights and black roof rails. Also part of the deal are chrome exhaust tips, -15mm lowered sports suspension and several interior enhancements such as stainless steel pedals, illuminated door sills and a golf ball-styled gear ****.

For an extra €965, the model can be equipped with a Sports and Design package encompassing tinted windows, driving mode selection, red brake caliper and larger 18-inch alloys.

Volkswagen will kick off deliveries in the months to come.