Volkswagen uses GTE to designate its plug-in models; the Passat is the second Volkswagen brand PHEV after the Golf. The Passat GTE is powered by a 1.4-liter TSI engine delivering 115 kW / 156 PS and an electric motor producing 85 kW / 115 PS. The two combined generated system output of 160 kW / 219 PS.

In all-electric mode the Passat GTE can drive up to 50 kilometers (31 miles). With the 50-liter (13-gallon) tank full of fuel and the battery fully charged, the range is more than 1,100 kilometers (684 miles).

Many of the Passat GTE’s functions can optionally be controlled and monitored via smart phone using the ‘Car-Net e-Remote’ app. These include charging the battery, activating the air-conditioning functions or seeing where the car was last parked.