News: VW to unveil 70 mpg (US) Golf diesel hybrid

[metroschultz]

Hmm.
I wonder if I could make inserts like that for my wifes alloys?
They would only help when I drive anyway.
Would it be worth it just to try a concept?
Hmm.
S.

[H4MM3R]

Nice pix. I hope this car comes to north america in 2009.

[tjts1]

PRESS RELEASE:
83 MPG, 89 G/KM OF CO2: INTRODUCING THE GOLF TDI HYBRID CONCEPT

***EDITOR'S NOTE - MPG figures described are in Imperial gallons***

The challenge: to create a viable, highly-efficient family vehicle capable of emitting less than 90 g/km of CO2. The Volkswagen engineers' solution, unveiled on the eve of the Geneva Motor Show, combines an advanced diesel engine with an electric motor and the very latest generation of seven-speed DSG gearbox. The so-called Golf TDI Hybrid concept vehicle is capable of achieving 83 mpg on the combined cycle and emitting just 89 g/km of CO2 – while around town the vehicle reverts to purely electric mode to be emission-free.

At the core of the new Golf TDI Hybrid is a highly-efficient 1.2-litre three-cylinder common rail TDI diesel engine developing 75 PS and 132 lbs ft of torque. Working either in tandem with the diesel engine or, if required, on its own, is an electric motor developing 27 PS and 103 lbs ft of torque. The electric motor also replaces the conventional starter motor and alternator to save weight and improve packaging.

It can also operate as a generator, recovering kinetic energy from the car during braking to charge the 220 volt, 45 kg nickel metal hydride battery which has a capacity of 1.4 kW hours.

In practice the electric motor powers the vehicle from standstill with the diesel engine only engaging should additional acceleration be required or at higher speeds. In these situations the diesel engine takes over with the electric motor only working if required to supplement the combustion engine – for example, during overtaking manoeuvres. When at a standstill the diesel engine shuts down completely to conserve fuel and increase efficiency. The energy split is relayed to the driver and passengers through a graphic display accessed through the touchscreen satellite navigation screen.

Drive on the concept car is channelled through the new seven-speed DSG twin-clutch gearbox. This features a pair of dry clutches as opposed to the wet clutches and sets a new energy efficiency standard for automatic gearboxes.

Visual changes which differentiate the Golf TDI Hybrid include a new, unique grille design, smaller front air intakes to reduce aerodynamic drag and subtle 'TDI-Hybrid' badging. The Golf TDI Hybrid also sits lower than the standard Golf on revised suspension and adopts the front splitter from the Golf GTI Edition 30 to help further reduce aerodynamic drag. A unique interior further distinguishes the Golf TDI Hybrid from the conventional vehicle.

The Golf TDI Hybrid is currently a concept vehicle, but a version of this vehicle is likely to go into production in the future.

This study follows the recent launch of the efficient new Golf BlueMotion. Adopting an optimised 1.9-litre, four-cylinder diesel engine linked to a revised gearbox and more efficient aerodynamics the Golf BlueMotion can achieve a combined 62.8 mpg while emitting just 119 g/km of CO2 meaning it will be exempt from the London Congestion Charge from October 27th onwards.

Timing

* Makes its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show
* The Golf TDI Hybrid is likely to inspire a future production vehicle


Key facts

* An engineering study aimed at extracting maximum efficiency from the combination of an advanced common rail diesel engine and a powerful electric motor designed to work in tandem; also uses very latest generation of seven-speed DSG gearbox
* The so-called Golf TDI Hybrid concept vehicle is capable of achieving 83 mpg on the combined cycle and emitting just 89 g/km of CO2; around town the vehicle reverts to purely electric mode to be emission-free
* Powered by a highly-efficient 1.2-litre three-cylinder common rail TDI diesel engine developing 75 PS and 132 lbs ft of torque. Working either in tandem with the diesel engine or, if required, on its own, is an electric motor developing 27 PS and 103 lbs ft of torque. The electric motor also replaces the conventional starter motor and alternator to save weight and improve packaging
* The motor also operates as a generator, recovering kinetic energy from the car during braking to charge the 220 volt, boot-mounted 45 kg nickel metal hydride battery which has a capacity of 1.4 kW hours
* The electric motor powers the vehicle from standstill with the diesel engine only engaging should additional acceleration be required or at higher speeds. In these situations the diesel engine takes over with the electric motor only working if required to supplement the combustion engine – for example, during overtaking manoeuvres
* When the vehicle is stationary the diesel engine shuts down completely to conserve fuel and increase efficiency. The energy split is relayed to the driver and passengers through a graphic display accessed through the touchscreen satellite navigation screen
* Drive on the concept car is channelled through the new seven-speed DSG twin-clutch gearbox
* Visual changes which differentiate the Golf TDI Hybrid include a new, unique grille design, smaller front air intakes to reduce aerodynamic drag and subtle 'TDI-Hybrid' badging. The Golf TDI Hybrid also sits lower than the standard Golf on revised suspension and adopts the front splitter from the Golf GTI Edition 30 to help further reduce aerodynamic drag

A unique interior further distinguishes the Golf TDI Hybrid from the conventional vehicle

http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/03...s-1-2l-3-cyli/

[H4MM3R]

I need this car.

[ECONORAM]

You know, this sounds really good...except for the fact my old 78 and 81 diesel Rabbits would BOTH get 50 mpg with no mods. The Cd was about 0.34. I can't imagine how they would do in the hands of an ecomodder today.

[will88]

any news on this or did it die like all the other concepts

[Laurentiu]

Originally Posted by will88

any news on this or did it die like all the other concepts

Unfortunately they say 2015+ might be hitting the market

VW Twin Drive plug-in hybrids not due until 2015 - MotorAuthority

VW to fleet test Twin Drive Golf plug-in hybrid concept in 2010 — Autoblog

Unfortunately for God knows what reasons they always seem to ship unnecessarily large engines over the Atlantic, like all other car manufacturers

Does size really matter so much in the US of A ?

[robchalmers]

It kind of went away VW is still playing with the hybrid idea on the V8 Toureg, (polishing a turd, eco-wise imho) but the current gen golf blue motion runs huge MPG with out the weight, cost and complexity of development

oh and 2 other things:

1.The lupo wasn't an over priced failure - or even a failure of any kind, it came to the end of its design life along with the Arosa and the only thing Group had to follow it was the Fox.

2.Gassers aren't always cheaper than Diesels from a build point of view. Simple economies of scale v's development cost spread across the 4 group brands + outside partners means the diesels can be more than just fuel sippers but income generators. Over here and especially in mainland europe i'd say its almost a 70/30 diesel/petrol split of cars bought or running.