One more German hatch to drool over: The 2014 Volkswagen Golf Plug-In Hybrid

By Nick Jaynes Published February 22, 2013

VW Golf Plug-In Hybrid — Image used with permission by copyright holder

If you’re a Volkswagen fan, this is the week dreams are made of . The German automaker has given us a glimpse into several all-new Golf variants, each more exciting than the last.

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Sadly, this onslaught of new German economical cars had to come to a close. Luckily for VW fans, it’s ending on a high note. We proudly present to you: the Golf Plug-In Hybrid.

Just like the e-Golf and GTD unveiled earlier this week, the Golf Plug-In Hybrid is based upon the brand-new Golf platform, the Mk 7.

According to an AutoCar report, the Golf Plug-In Hybrid shares the same electric motor as the Audi A3 e-tron, which was also unveiled earlier this week. In addition to its 100 horsepower electric motor, the Golf Plug-In Hybrid includes a 148-horsepower TFSI gasoline engine with a combined torque output of 256 pound-feet. The Euro test cycle estimates put the new VW plug-in hybrid’s fuel economy rating at 188 MPG. This is a bit higher than any EPA MGPe (miles-per-gallon equivalent) ratings we might see in the US, but it’s still very promising.

The Plug-In Hybrid Golf features a special hybrid transmission that mates the electric motor and gas engine together. Drivers can select three drive modes. Depending on the mode, the electric motor or gasoline engine can propel the Golf independently or in unison. The most exciting mode for us horsepower junkies is the “Boosting” drive mode where both powerplants are used to drive the Golf.

Just like the Volkswagen Jetta Turbo Hybrid we drove earlier this year, the Golf Plug-In Hybrid features a coasting feature that uses a clutch between the motor and transmission to quickly disconnect the drivetrain from the wheels at highway speeds as soon as the driver lets off the accelerator. This allows the Golf to cruise extremely efficiently as the gas engine shuts off and the vehicle makes use of its forward momentum.

For drivers less interested in power output, the Plug-In Hybrid will travel an adequate 31 miles in electric-only mode, which is on-par with a few plug-in hybrids currently on the market like the Chevy Volt.

Although we don’t yet know if the plug-in hybrid version of the Golf will be headed to the U.S., we’d be awfully surprised if it didn’t.

Former Automotive Editor

Nick Jaynes is the Automotive Editor for Digital Trends. He developed a passion for writing about cars working his way…

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Archer’s flying taxis head to LA for the 2028 Olympics

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Remember the buzz about flying taxis zipping through Paris for the 2024 Olympics? That sci-fi fantasy never got off the ground —Germany’s Volocopter dream was denied certification, leaving fans staring at the same old ground traffic. But now, the skies are opening again for a second shot at glory—this time over Los Angeles.
Archer Aviation, the California-based electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) company, has been named the exclusive air taxi provider for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Archer’s Midnight aircraft, a piloted electric air taxi designed to carry four passengers, will be whisking around VIPs, fans, and stakeholders between venues and key locations like LAX, Hollywood, Santa Monica, and even Orange County. Think 10-20 minute flights that skip the infamous LA gridlock and land you right where the action is—on the roof, basically.
“We want to transform the way people get around Los Angeles and leave a legacy that shapes the future of transportation in America. There’s no better time to do that than during the LA28 Games,” said Adam Goldstein, CEO and founder of Archer Aviation.
And Midnight isn’t just a pretty rotor. It’s a whisper-quiet, emission-light aircraft with 12 rotors and a redundant, airline-level safety design.
What’s more, Archer and LA28 are working together to electrify vertiport hubs around the city—think futuristic sky stations—to serve not only Games-time needs but also to plant seeds for a post-Olympic air mobility network.
The air mobility market has been fast developing over the past few years, featuring the likes of Hyundai partnership with China’s XPeng HT Aero and Toyota's backing of Joby Aviation, a U.S. venture. Joby bought Uber Elevate in 2020, hoping to someday pair its air taxis with Uber’s ride-hailing app.
Archer, for its part, has been busy building a strategic partnership with United Airlines, which has already placed orders for the aircraft and is helping with logistics to integrate air taxis into airport-to-downtown travel. More than a demo for the cameras, the LA28 partnership will showcase urban air travel for real-world daily use, starting with one of the most high-profile events on Earth.
After raising false hopes in Paris, the air taxi dream is aiming for liftoff in LA—and this time, it might just stick the landing.

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Electric Muscle Misfire? Dodge Pulls Charger Daytona R/T from 2026 Lineup

electric muscle misfire dodge pulls charger daytona r t from 2026 lineup all new

The Dodge Charger Daytona R/T, once hailed as the vanguard of Dodge’s electric muscle car future, is being dropped for the 2026 model year.
According to a report from MoparInsiders, the Scat Pack variant will now lead the Daytona lineup, marking a significant pivot in Stellantis’ EV strategy.
Originally introduced with bold ambitions, the Charger Daytona R/T was designed to offer an accessible gateway into electric performance. With its 456-horsepower dual-motor setup and optional 509-horsepower Direct Connection stage kit, it seemed poised to excite both muscle car fans and EV newcomers. However, market realities have painted a different picture.
Industry and media reports highlight the core issue: buyers just weren’t biting. Despite its impressive specs and nostalgic design cues, the R/T struggled to justify its price tag, starting near $60,000. At that level, buyers expected either more performance or more premium features. Without strong sales traction, Dodge made the tough call to shelve the R/T variant for 2026, opting instead to focus on trims that resonate better with customers.
As we reported in December, the Charger EV was launched with an off-beat marketing message to “save the planet from self-driving sleep pods.” The goal was to retain Dodge’s brand identity—muscle, aggression, and driver engagement—even in the electric era. The Charger Daytona R/T was supposed to be the perfect balance of price and performance, but it seems the target audience wasn’t ready to make that leap at that price.
Importantly, this doesn’t spell the end of the Charger Daytona altogether. Higher-performance models like the Scat Pack and Banshee are still in the pipeline and, interestingly, are being adjusted for price competitiveness. Several trims are reportedly seeing price cuts, suggesting Stellantis is serious about making these vehicles more appealing and accessible.
For enthusiasts, the takeaway is clear: the electric muscle car isn’t going anywhere, but automakers are still figuring out how to sell it. The demise of the R/T is less a failure and more a recalibration—proof that even the boldest plans need to stay flexible in the face of consumer demand.

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The all-electric Cadillac Vistiq makes the Escalade redundant

2026 Cadillac Vistiq front-quarter view.

Cadillac wants a full lineup of electric vehicles, and it’s nearly there. It has a standard crossover SUV (the Lyriq), an entry-level model (the Optiq), an electric version of its flagship Escalade (the Escalade IQ), and even a baroque showpiece (the Celestiq). But something’s missing.

For a modern luxury brand, a midsize three-row crossover is key. Customers for whom a Toyota Highlander is too déclassé need something to take their kids to lacrosse practice, but may not want something as big as an Escalade. This isn’t the most exciting design brief, and that’s reflected in the gasoline Cadillac XT6, which has always felt like nothing more than a placeholder. Its new electric counterpart, the 2026 Cadillac Vistiq, is anything but.