Passat Hybrid Gte Tow Car

taff11 replied on 03/09/2018 16:20

taff11

Posted on 03/09/2018 16:20

Just started my caravan adventures and bought an Ace Morning Star 2006 and after some enquires with Westfalia for the Tow Hitch for my new Passat Estate Gte.

I was first alarmed at the response from the Market leading and Vw Supplier saying that Hybrids cannot tow

Where in fact the Passat can TOW 1625KGS comfortably and over the mountain range over the Beacons from Aberbach site this weekend achieving 37mpg after charging from my caravans outside plug overnight on a 10 amp setting.

The Hybrid tows quiet comfortable on pure electric or if you need Power just put in GTE MODE or Hybrid.

Once you have used the electric from the battery's and the overnight charge the car will make its own electricity and still be able to use GTE MODE 220bhp.

So don't believe all the old school that Hybrids cannot Tow .

FOSSIL FUEL WONT LAST FOREVER PLUS BIK SO MUCH BETTER FOR THE TIME BEING

For Reference detach-able Tow Hitch Supplied and fitted By RETRO in Neuanton inc software and Vehicle specific electrics total £570, much cheaper than local prices of £770.

Moderator Comment - Taff I have moved this to Towcars in the Discussion Area as I think more people will see it there.

27 replies

flatcoat replied on 07/09/2018 15:05

Member

flatcoat

Caravanner from West Yorkshire

Posted on 07/09/2018 15:05

The diesel Outlander has almost certainly been pre-registered to beat the new economy regs which came into force on 1st September, along with tens of thousands of cars last month hence the 24% spike in alleged ‘sales’. The salesman will be on a target bonus or possibly a spot bonus to clear stock albeit he is for once correct about the PHEVs towing capability. The only hybrids I would look at are diesel which do exist albeit now mostly used. However at the end of the day it is depreciation which is the biggest cost of car ownership, especially new. Changing car to save a few mpg or possible MOT costs is financially barmy.

taff11 replied on 10/09/2018 09:37

Member

taff11

Caravanner

Posted on 03/09/2018 23:50 by lornalou1

v. good. how far will it tow on battery alone please.

Posted on 10/09/2018 09:37

They will use the battery very quickly but more than enough power.But I use the GTE MODE and it stiffens the suspension/

This week I went touring in Tal y bont and on my return journey 44 miles with lots of hills and a big diversion returned 33mpg .

Full battery at the start and no battery when finished.I charged the vehicle overnight on a 5 amp setting.

taff11 replied on 10/09/2018 09:42

Member

taff11

Caravanner

Posted on 06/09/2018 07:58 by flatcoat

It needs clarifying that many hybrids are not type approved for towing and often those that are, have reduced maximum towing weight. The Mitsubishi Outlander hybrid has a maximum tow weight of 1500kg. The now defunct diesel version is much higher and our local dealer recommended the diesel for towing. I still await a long term review of a like for like petrol/hybrid versus diesel towing comparison over a year and several thousand miles of mixed towing and solo use. The VW dealer I use for servicing admits off the record the hybrid golf barely manages 15-18 miles on battery in real world use. Most sales are to business simply to get the BIK benefits.

Lutz on this forum used to have a Lexus hybrid and I believe now tows with a diesel.......

Posted on 10/09/2018 09:42

I am getting around 30mpg plus over mountain ranges towing a 1500kg van.

Totally different to the Toyota/Lexus Hybrids.

More than happy with my Passat GTE.

taff11 replied on 10/09/2018 09:50

Member

taff11

Caravanner

Posted on 07/09/2018 08:44 by chasstreet

I think you may find that hybrid vehicles can tow

however very few have been approved, Mitsubishi Outland has been but only too 1500 kg

I would check v5

None of the bmw range have been tested

Posted on 10/09/2018 09:50

VW Passat GTE Estate plated to tow 1625kgs.

You cannot get a towbar fitted without this plate at any franchised dealer Westfalia etc.

taff11 replied on 10/09/2018 17:04

Member

taff11

Caravanner

Posted on 04/09/2018 17:32 by DJCarrick

31 miles on electric alone my a**e. I have just got rid of my two year old GTE, one of the most horrible cars I have owned. Around town it only averaged 20 to 25 miles on electricity alone even with a light right foot. Turn on the heater or aircon and down it goes even further.

It was such a 'nanny state' car as well. It didn't just beep at you if, for example you dare have the keys in the ignition and open the door. It SHOUTED at you. And as for the proximity alert that SCREAMED at you so as to make you almost crash should you get even close to another car, well those were experiences best forgotten. Adaptive cruise control that applies the brakes should the vehicle you are following dare to take a left on a slip road ahead of you and a 'GTE' mode that, when you consider the weight of the vehicle, really is not that quick, all adds up to a vehicle best forgotten. Electric and hybrid cars have a long way to go.

Get a VW transporter converted as a campervan. Much more fun for days out and a superb towing vehicle for the same price as a GTE!

Posted on 10/09/2018 17:04

I didn't say I get 31miles towing on electric but over the last 10 weeks i have only put in £200 petrol and out of the 3800 miles I have travelled in that time I average 74mpg.

Just given my thoughts and truth to how much I get while towing but some people you will never change.

I start towing with full electric and then change over to the GTE MODE on hills this week 44 miles return towing around 30/33mpg towing.

I get 25 miles on a full charge electric seats.

I had a x5 2018 3.0d m sport before this and each mth i put in £400 plus the BIK THROUGH THE ROOF.

But the cost of diesel and petrol flying up.

Really a no brainer when compared to a Van. But if you are going to get a van get a real Van Nissan Elgrand 3500 350Z Engine.

Years ahead of the transporter,

gjwoodsy76 replied on 21/11/2019 22:31

Member

gjwoodsy76

Caravanner

Posted on 21/11/2019 22:31

Taff - I am looking at new company car. Seriously considering the Passat GTE 1.4 either saloon or estate with factory fit towbar. We travel to Europe a lot with van, from your experience any issues with recommending the GTE? we have a swift Challenger with a MiRO of 1380kg and MTPLM of 1550kg...well within the plated weight but does it perform?

lornalou1 replied on 22/11/2019 12:43

lornalou1

Caravanner from Lancashire

Posted on 21/11/2019 22:31 by gjwoodsy76

Taff - I am looking at new company car. Seriously considering the Passat GTE 1.4 either saloon or estate with factory fit towbar. We travel to Europe a lot with van, from your experience any issues with recommending the GTE? we have a swift Challenger with a MiRO of 1380kg and MTPLM of 1550kg...well within the plated weight but does it perform?

Posted on 22/11/2019 12:43

This post is 14 months old and I would guess that he's got rid of it already and replaced with a diesel.

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