The first ever plug-in Passat will be sold in both saloon and estate bodystyles and is set to be shown at the Paris Motor Show this week, with the first British customers set to receive cars in October 2015.

Its drivetrain is similar to the one used in the Golf GTE, featuring a 154bhp 1.4-litre TSI petrol engine and 114bhp electric motor, which combine to produce 215bhp and propel the Passat to 62mph in under eight seconds.

Via a port on the grille, the car takes around four and a quarter hours to reach 100% charge from a domestic socket, or two and a half hours via a dedicated wallbox, and like the Golf GTE it has a maximum charging speed of 3.6kW per hour.

Fully charged, it will cover up to 31 miles on electricity, contributing to official fuel economy of over 141mpg on the NEDC plug-in hybrid test. The Passat GTE also gains a unique infotainment system showing range, charging information and with cabin preconditioning settings, as well as the C-shaped LED daytime running lights and aerodynamic grille used on the brand’s other plug-ins.