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VW to debute Golf TDI Hybrid at Geneva Motor Show

Posted February 28th, 2008 by RichC
 

At the Geneva Motor Show Volkswagen will be displaying their diesel-hybrid Golf TDI next week. The "parallel hybrid" will run either on the diesel engine, the electric motor or both. Reports suggest that it will employ engine shut down instead of full time idling and will use the 7-speed DSG (dual clutch) gearbox instead of a CVT transmission. The stated fuel economy is expected to be significantly better than current diesel VeeDubs or their competitors hybrid vehicles at nearly 70mpg. No photos are expected from Volkswagen until the show.
EDIT: Photo added 3/1/2008
VW Golf TDI Hybrid

 

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Wired Link on the VW Golf Hybrid

On February 29th, 2008 RichC says:

See Wired for a few more details and a bunch of links.

Coming Soon from VW: A 69.9 MPG Diesel Hybrid

By Chuck Squatriglia EmailFebruary 28, 2008 | 10:04:10 AM 

Volkswagengolfbluemotionfrontleft It's official - Volkswagen is unveiling a hybrid to challenge the mighty Toyota Prius. And not just any hybrid, but a diesel-electric hybrid it says will deliver 69.9 mpg.

VW's been experimenting with hybrids of the gasoline-electric variety since the early 1990s, but the Golf hybrid it will unveil next month at the Geneva Motor Show is the first production model the German company's rolled out. Volkswagen isn't offering much in the way of details, but the car is expected to have a  parallel hybrid drivetrain with a 2.0 liter engine. Look for it to have an all-electric mode at low speed, start-stop capability, regenerative braking and a 7-speed DSG double-clutch transmission, according to Auto Express and AutoBlog Green.

What's all the techno-jargon mean? The Golf Hybrid will get almost 70 mph while meeting Europe's stringent Euro V and America's Tier 2 Bin 5 emissions standards, making it green enough even for California. The car is said to emit just 89 g/km of CO2. (For comparison, the Prius emits 104 g/km and Honda Civic Hybrid emits 116.)

The hybrid Golf may be just the start.

According to Britain's Channel 4, VW is considering the hybrid drivetrain in a Jetta and Audi A3. DailyTech says it also could appear in the VW Tiguan and Audi Q5 crossover utility  vehicles.

Auto Express says the Golf hybrid will be offered for sale in Europe by the end of next year. No word yet on when we might see it on this side of the pond. VW hasn't released a picture of the hybrid, so we're offering a shot of its diesel Golf Bluemotion.