2020 VW Golf Drops Almost All Camo In GTE Plug-In Hybrid Guise

Earlier this month we brought you the first spy shots of the 2020 VW Golf GTE plug-in hybrid wearing full camouflage.

Now, our photographers caught another Golf GTE prototype almost completely undisguised, giving us a very clear idea of what the upcoming Golf Mk8 will look like when it debuts this autumn.

It’s pretty clear to see that only subtle patches of black tape are applied around the headlights to disguise their shape, as well as on the grille, fog lights and the rear bumper. The taillights seem to wear a disguise as well around the edges. Still, these attempts are not that effective at hiding the design of the 2020 Golf which remains easy to recognize as it’s largely an evolution of the current model from a visual point of view.

The GTE model seen here distinguishes itself from other Golf variants thanks to the charging port on the left front fender, exclusive aero-style wheels, and likely some blue accents on the grille, headlights, and rear bumper.

Also read: Gotcha! 2020 VW Golf Mk8 Snapped Totally Naked During Commercial Shoot

The Golf GTE is expected to become the most efficient model in the range when it goes on sale in early 2020 as the all-electric e-Golf will no longer be offered for the eighth-generation — being effectively replaced by the ID.3.

The GTE’s plug-in hybrid powertrain is likely the same from the facelifted Passat GTE, pairing a 156 PS (154 hp) 1.4-liter TSI turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine with a 115 PS (113 hp) electric motor and a 13-kWh battery for a system output of 218 PS (215 hp) and 400 Nm (295 lb-ft) of torque.

In the revised Passat GTE, the powertrain enables an EV driving range of 56 km (35 miles) under the WLTP cycle. In the Golf GTE, the range could be slightly higher as it’s a smaller, lighter vehicle. GTE model aside, the 2020 VW Golf range will feature several gasoline and diesel powertrains many of which will feature 48-volt mild-hybrid tech. The VW Golf GTI and Golf R performance models will also arrive later on.