FAW-Volkswagen launched its first plug-in hybrid SUV on Saturday, which is expected to help the popular carmaker make further inroads into China's new energy vehicle market.

The Tayron GTE, available in two variants, is priced at 249,800 yuan ($25,276) and 259,800 yuan respectively.

The carmaker said plug-in hybrids have vast potential in China, adding SUVs in the segment have gained in popularity over the past few years.

Statistics show they accounted for 5 percent of China's plug-in hybrid sales in 2017, the figure soaring to 29 percent last year.

Dong Xiuhui, vice-president of FAW-Volkswagen and president of FAW-Volkswagen Sales Co, said the appeal of the Tayron GTE lies in its versatility to meet demands in different travel scenarios.

For environment conscious, it has a range of 54 km in electric mode, which is enough for most commuters in China.

But as a plug-in hybrid, it does not cause mileage anxieties if the driver needs to embark on a long journey.

Martin Jahn, executive vice-president of FAW-Volkswagen Sales Co, said the GTE, which stands for Grand Turismo Electric, shows the model's aspiration to become an exemplar in the segment and offers Chinese customers a low-carbon and carefree driving experience.

The GTE traces its origins back to 1976 when a group of Volkswagen engineers developed the Golf GTI, with "I "standing for fuel injection.

In later years, Volkswagen came up with performance diesel models bearing the initials GTD, and in 2007 the car giant started to develop GTE models as the latest member of the well-known performance vehicle family.

The Tayron GTE sports a 1.4-liter EA211 turbocharged engine and an 85-kilowatt electric motor to generate a maximum output of 155 kW and a top torque of 400 Nm.

It can accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in 8.4 seconds. The model has five driving modes, and has a fuel consumption of less than 2 liters per 100 km.

It measures 4,603 mm in length, with the wheelbase of 2,730 mm.

The model has gone through endurance tests of over 500,000 km in extreme environmental conditions to ensure its safety, especially in terms of battery performance and charging.

It features Volkswagen's latest infotainment system and advanced driving assist functions including lane assist, park assist and rear traffic alert.

The Tayron itself has been a proven successful model in the Chinese market.

Launched in October 2018 as FAW-Volkswagen's second SUV, its monthly sales soared to more than 20,000 within a year, becoming a top choice in its segment.

Last year, a total of 168,000 Tayrons were sold in China.

Cao Yingying contributed to the story.