Offered as a part electric hot hatch alongside the GTI and GTD, the GTE features a 1.4-litre 148bhp TSI petrol engine with a six-speed DSG gearbox and 100bhp electric motor, producing a combined 202bhp and offering a 31-mile electric range.

The drivetrain is similar to the Audi A3 e-tron,but the Golf adds a sporty GTE mode to liven the driving experience. Volkswagen is predicting sales of 1,000 in its first full year on sale, but with the potential to outstrip that estimate significantly, the manufacturer has said.