Volkswagen GTE Sport is a Sight to Worthersee

Volkswagen unveiled the concept today at Lake Wörthersee where it is also showcasing the GTI Clubsport. But beside the GTE Sport, that car seems conservative. The GTE Sport has a body made entirely from carbon fiber and a plug-in hybrid powertrain that uses two electric motors and a 1.6-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine borrowed from the Polo R WRC car.

The racing engine makes 294 HP on its own, but that number climbs by another 100 HP courtesy of an electric motor mounted inside the six-speed dual-clutch gearbox and another at the rear axle. The system can create a combined 295 lb-ft of torque despite the small displacement engine because of the electric motors. Consequently the car offers all-wheel drive grip and acceleration with a claimed 0-62 MPH sprint of 4.3 seconds and a top speed of 174 MPH.

SEE ALSO: Volkswagen GTI Clubsport is Most Powerful Golf Yet

But a carbon fiber body isn’t the only progressive design element in the GTE Sport. Far from it because the same upward swinging door design that the XL1 is in place here.

Things get even wilder inside. The cockpit consists of two seats that are separated in monocoque fashion that – according to Volkswagen – is helpful for track driving.

During those stints, the concept would probably be in “GTE” mode, it’s moss aggressive state where all three motors are working to their maximum potential. Otherwise, the car also offers a “hybrid” mode that uses regenerative braking to return power to its electrical system. If the battery is full, regenerative braking is disabled to let the car coast. Finally, there is also an “E” mode where the car will travel exclusively on electricity until the battery runs out of power after a maximum of about 31 miles.

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