by Seán Creedon
People in the motor trade are expecting a huge increase in the number of new car sales in July after almost four months of Lockdown.
The Coronavirus has affected many businesses and while people will always want to change their cars, I wonder if the virus has slowed down former Minister Richard Bruton’s plan of almost all electric cars by 2030.
With the Green party now in Government no doubt Eamon Ryan will be pushing for the installation of more charge points in towns and villages all over the country, not just in cities.
But the Green Party leader, who seems to be photographed every day using his bike, faces a difficult task to turn the country ‘green.’
For now we will have to continue taking ‘baby steps’ and by that I mean Hybrid cars. Toyota are concentrating totally on Hybrid, while rivals VW are talking about a range of 550km for the top of the range version of their first electric car, the ID.3.
VW also has Hybrid versions and last week I tested the plug-in version of their excellent Passat.
My test car was a 1.4-litre and was as quiet as the proverbial mouse in electric mode. When not in electric mode, the engine was frugal in petrol mode.
The Passat GTE is powered by a turbocharged 154 bhp 1.4‑litre petrol engine mated with an 83kW 112 bhp electric motor, for a combined system output of 215 bhp. So plenty of power under the bonnet when required.
There are four driving modes. Full-electric E-Mode is the default setting in which the car starts, switching to Hybrid once there is no remaining battery charge. The car then uses the petrol and electric motors as required and also replenishes the battery under deceleration.
You can choose ‘B’ drive mode to conserve battery power and if you do you will certainly notice the car taking on that energy once you take your foot off the accelerator.
If full GTI type performance is needed, the GT mode uses both the petrol and electric motors together to deliver a more sporting drive. The electric charge point is very discreet, located in the front grille.
Traditionally the Passat was VW’s rival to the Ford Mondeo, but you don’t hear those comparisons any more. Last year VW produced the 30th million unit of the Passat, making it the brand’s second most popular model after the Golf, surpassing the iconic Beetle.
Inside, black is the dominant colour, on the Nappa leather seats and roof. The boot space is decent and there is a discreet place to hold the charge leads. My only gripe is an old one, no spare wheel.
Petrol or pure electric? It really depends how much urban driving you do, as you can get approx 40Km pure electric driving. You may not need to purchase much petrol if you charge at home every night, provided you are only making short journeys during the day.
Prices start at €42,495, while the GTE version I drove, will cost you €43,520.The standard alloys in the Passat are 17-inch Montpellier, but my test car had 18-inch ‘Liverpool’ alloys.
VW cannot be said to be jumping on the red bandwagon as this car had a 192 reg. The alloys were silver not red, but the brake callipers were blue; is somebody trying to rub it in to Everton.
