Volkswagen has expanded the Golf’s plug-in hybrid line-up with the addition of a new entry-level 204hp eHybrid model expected to particularly appeal to fleets.

The 204hp entry-level Golf eHybrid is on sale now, priced from £32,995 OTR

It sits under the existing 245hp GTE and is priced from £32,995 OTR.

The powertrain combines a 1.4-litre TSI petrol engine with an electric motor on the front axle and a lithium-ion battery located beneath the rear bench seat.

Married up to a six-speed DSG, the powertrain has a total 204hp of power and 350Nm of torque, giving a 0-62mph time of 7.4 seconds and top speed of 137mph. Its CO2 emissions of 21g/km and 44-mile electric-only range put it in the 7% Benefit-in-Kind bracket for the current tax year; a key attraction for fleet drivers. It can also be driven in all-electric mode at speeds of up to 80mph while WLTP combined fuel consumption stands at 235.4mpg.

Charging via a 2.3kW socket takes around five hours, reduced to three hours and 40 minutes with a 3.6kW socket. The driver can also control the time at which charging takes place via the infotainment system or using the We Connect app on a smartphone, in order to benefit from cheaper off-peak electricity.

The new eHybrid model is offered solely in ‘Style’ trim, designed to bring a high level of equipment and including Volkswagen’s Digital Cockpit Pro set-up, a ‘Discover Media’ navigation system including streaming and internet, DAB+ and mobile phone interface with inductive charging function, multifunction leather steering wheel, sports comfort seats, Care Climatronic automatic air conditioning, start/stop system with brake energy recuperation and Keyless Start. It also gets LED Plus headlights and LED tail light clusters and 16-inch alloys.

The Golf eHybrid also features VW’s Car2X connected car warning system and a range of ADAS tech including Dynamic Road Sign Display, Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Assis, and Front Assist Autonomous Emergency Braking.

Volkswagen UK head of fleet Nick O’Neill said: “The Volkswagen Golf has always been a staple of the UK fleet sector and now, with the arrival of this exciting new plug-in hybrid option, I am sure we will see more companies taking the decision to add our exceptional new car to their fleets.

“The new Golf eHybrid’s persuasive list of attributes includes pure electric zero tailpipe-emission driving; superb long-distance fuel economy; generous equipment; and a BIK rate of only 7% – all underpinned by Volkswagen’s renowned build quality and superb retailer network. Together, they result in a  car that will especially appeal to company car drivers, as well as retail ones.”