Volkswagen Australia’s plug-in hybrid plans shrink

Volkswagen had pointed to plug-in hybrid (PHEV) versions of its Golf, Tiguan, and Touareg coming to Australia, though only one of them is now locked in for a local launch.

The company had previously indicated it would launch the plug-in hybrid Golf GTE hatch around the second half of 2024 in facelifted guise.

“When we talked about PHEV in the past with Tiguan, we said we were really interested, but that was by no means a confirmation,” said Volkswagen Australia product and PR communications manager Daniel DeGasperi.

Golf GTE

“So I think with Golf, let’s wait and see the facelift first and which is coming. Then we can probably talk more about Golf.”

Volkswagen Australia general manager corporate communications Paul Pottinger added the company hasn’t “at this point finally decided what variants” it’s going to offer in the facelifted Golf range. It recently axed all wagon variants.

The company recently announced the high-performance Touareg R eHybrid is set to launch locally in March in updated guise. It’s been previously delayed a number of times.

The company has flagged it’s still in pricing negotiations with head office for the flagship Touareg variant.

“We’re positive and optimistic about Touareg R,” said Mr DeGasperi.

Touareg R eHybrid

“We just need to make sure that the price is correct, and even as close as yesterday, it’s looking good too.”

CarExpert understands the Touareg R could be priced similarly to the now defunct flagship Touareg V8 TDI. This model was axed in 2021 and was priced at $136,490 before on-roads.

The current Touareg range-topper is the 210TDI R-Line, which starts at $117,540 before on-roads.

Volkswagen Australia recently confirmed the next-generation Tiguan won’t come here in plug-in hybrid guise, and has only confirmed turbo-petrol powertrains.

Leaked next-generation Tiguan

“We were interested in PHEV and we were having discussions around PHEV but we also have to move with the market, and I think the market as you’ve seen has moved quite rapidly,” said Mr DeGasperi earlier this month.

“We also have Group brands that do a good job with PHEV: Cupra and Audi.

“Skoda boss Michael Irmer mentioned it, not treading on toes, but also Volkswagen is the volume brand so we really need to be laser-focused on those models that will most resonate with customers.

T7 Multivan eHybrid

“From a volume perspective, and we think that given the timings of Tiguan and ID.4 will be quite similar, that Tiguan in turbo-petrol form and ID.4 in fully electric will have a great duo between them.”

Volkswagen Australia still has information live on its website regarding plug-in hybrid models offered, including the outgoing Tiguan eHybrid, pre-update Golf GTE, pre-update Touareg R eHybrid, as well as the T7 Multivan eHybrid.

The latter also isn’t locked in for Australia yet as Volkswagen says it’s still working on finalising the lineup. The regular T7 Multivan will arrive locally late in 2024 with a couple of diesel engines.

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