Coming Soon from VW: A 69.9 MPG Diesel Hybrid

[ginz111]

By Chuck Squatriglia

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.

[awahl63]

Rockin!

[Polish Guy]

and America will probably get shafted and never see these on North American roads.

[UneekTT]

Nope - not true, I read an article in Popular Mechanics about this car about 3 months ago, and not only is it coming here, but there should be multiple versions available as well (2 door, 4 door, and a wagon too!)

It will be here, by 2010 or near then I think?

This is from the article "No word yet on when we might see it on this side of the pond." - - - no word when, but it will

and America will probably get shafted and never see these on North American roads.

[Naudilos]

wow...now that would be a great DD