The plug-in hybrid Golf GTE completes Volkswagen’s sporty hatchback range that also consists of the petrol GTI and diesel GTD.

It sits in between the two other models, in terms of power, making a combined total of 201 hp and 258 lb-ft or 350 Nm which pushes it past 62 mph (100 km/h) in 7.6 seconds and on to a top speed of 135 mph (or 216 km/h, which we assume must be somewhat electronically pegged back, since the less powerful diesel tops 142 mph/229 km/h).

Since it's the slowest of all three models, both in terms of sprinting and outright speed, you’d expect it to have a party piece since it will probably be pretty expensive and they do want to sell it, right?

Correct, as they’ve given it a claimed combined fuel consumption figure of 1.5 l/100km (equal to 157 mpg US or 188 mpg UK), and as you may have imagined, it is achieved with the all-electric range of up to 31 miles (~50 km). The car has a combined autonomy of 584 miles (934 km), plus super low CO2 emissions of 35 g/km.

It achieves those feats (in the lab…) thanks to the marriage of a 1.4-liter 148 hp turbocharged engine used in many other models with a 101 hp electric motor. The car can run solely on the latter up to a speed of 81 mph or 129 km/h.

This means that if your daily commute is short and you have a place to charge, you could basically run this in the same way you’d run a Chevy Volt and only use the petrol engine for performance driving, if the need suddenly arises; a full charge on the battery from empty takes under three hours from a conventional wall socket.

The GT's looks draws heavily upon that of the GTI, but with e-Golf influences. It also replaces the GTI’s red detailing with blue and features side skirts and a discreet spoiler on the back that are taken from the other two models. GTE badges finish off the look, as do the unique LED daytime-running lights borrowed from the e-Golf. The inside is shared with the GTI/GTD, with sporty seats and details that continue the blue exterior theme.

The Golf GTE is set to debut in the metal at the Geneva motor show.

Volkswagen engineers have started testing a mysterious Golf GTI prototype that we suspect may be for a hardcore track variant, hence the “Club Sport” tag. The car was seen running some hot laps at Germany’s Nürburgring, and a number of elements it’s wearing provide clues towards its potential identity.

The most obvious markings are the Wiechers logo on its flanks. Wiechers is a German motorsport and engineering firm that sells parts for building track cars. The company specializes in custom roll cages and also offers racing seats, harnesses and suspension upgrades. It’s clear that most of these have been fitted to the mysterious GTI prototype.

The car also has a new lip spoiler at the front, 18-inch wheels borrowed from the Golf R (suggesting uprated brakes), lowered suspension and a massive roof-mounted rear wing. We can’t confirm if there’s been any upgrades made to the powertrain, but our photographer said the prototype sounded much louder than the regular GTI, which delivers 210 horsepower in standard form and 220 hp when an available Performance Park is equipped.

This year’s Wörthersee Tour tuning fest isn’t far away (it gets underway May 28) and VW typically presents tuned versions of its cars at the Austrian event, so perhaps we’ll see this mysterious GTI prototype unveiled there.

Another possibility is that VW has started testing of a more potent version of the Golf R, rumored to be called the Golf R Evo, and the GTI exterior is simply being used to fool onlookers. The extreme Golf R is said to be getting a more powerful engine, more aerodynamic styling, and a series of weight-saving measures.

We'll bring you an update as soon as more details surface.

Pricing for the U.S market specification 2015 VW Golf GTI surfaced online today thanks to Autoweek, albeit for a…limited time as the site pulled down the piece faster than you can say Personenkraftwagen, the German word for passenger cars, but still, not fast enough…

According to the report, the new and lighter seventh generation Golf GTI starts at $25,215 "including an $820 destination and handling fee" for the two-door model, which is only $120 more than the current Golf GTI Mk6 Wolfsburg Edition ($25,095) that's only available with four-doors.

In base U.S. spec, the new GTI's 2.0-liter turbocharged four reportedly gains 10hp and 51 lb-ft of torque for a total of 210hp and 258 lb-ft. An optional Performance Package priced at $1,495 is said to add 10hp, along with "bigger brakes and a torque-sensing electronically controlled limited-slip differential".

These numbers provided by Autoweek differ from the European specification model that delivers 217hp (220PS) in standard guise and 227hp (230PS) with the Performance kit.

Apparently, VW will announce details at the New York Auto Show on Wednesday, so we'll post an update if anything changes.

By John Halas

Out goes the VW Jetta SportWagen, in comes the Golf SportWagen. After using the Jetta nameplate for a car everybody else knows as the Golf Estate or Wagon, VW of America is partially complying with its global designation standards, keeping the SportWagen moniker, but switching the new generation car's family name to Golf.

VW calls it a concept that "previews the all-new Golf SportWagen that goes on sale in the States in early 2015", but we all know it's the production model. The Germans also stated that "essentially, the Golf SportWagen provides a sportier alternative to compact SUVs".

The display car at the New York Auto Show sports a four-cylinder diesel engine paired to VW's 4MOTION all-wheel drive system, with the Germans confirming two available powertrains for the USA, but not the availability of AWD.

The range will include a 170hp 1.8-liter turbocharged gasoline unit mated to five-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmissions that will improve highway fuel economy by as much as 17% compared to the 2.5-liter Jetta SportWagen, and the new EA288 2.0-liter common-rail, direct-injection diesel with 150hp (10hp more than the current SportWagen model) paired to either a 6sp manual or DSG dual-clutch automatic.

The seventh-generation Golf-based SportWagen is 1.1 inches longer and 0.7 inches wider than the current Jetta model, with VW claiming that, it offers more rear-seat leg- and shoulder room, and despite being 0.9 inches lower in height, a 0.4-inch improvement in front and rear headroom.

Furthermore, the Golf SportWagen offers 10 percent more cargo room with the rear seats folded over the outgoing model, and also sports a lower load height than before.