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

[tjts1]

Auto Bild has decided to "help" Volkswagen introduce the VW Golf TDI Hybrid concept that the automaker will be unveiling in Geneva a few days from now. So, how does it look? Pretty impressive. The car mates a 75 PS (74 HP) 3-cylinder TDI (presumably the 1.4L used in the Polo BlueMotion), a 27 horsepower electric motor and a 7-speed DSG to average 69 mpg (3.4l/100km) in the European cycle with carbon dioxide emissions of just 90 g/km. The electric motor is powered by a trunk-mounted NiMH battery. Based on the Google Translation of the page, we glean that the Golf TDI Hybrid is a full hybrid capable of running on electric power, diesel power or a combination of the two. It also uses regenerative braking, a stop/start system, and one of those energy monitor videogame screens that gives you a graphical representation of the powertrain's activity. Visually, the car sports a new Vivid Blue finish and employs narrower grillework, a lowered suspension, and low-rolling-resistance rubber to help maximize aerodynamics and fuel economy. We'll bring you full details from the show next week.

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/01/g...rid-leaks-out/

[MetroMPG]

Nice find. Thanks for posting that.

[tjts1]

Its interesting that the car is making its debut in Geneva but the the display is in miles and MPG. Does the CNBC button take me to the latest Wall St. news? Sweet! I think this drivetrain was designed specifically for the US market. They figured they had to have a trendy "hybrid" badge to take on Toyota and Honda.

[budomove]

I like how they disconinued the lupo 1l diesel capable of the same mpg, just so they could squeeze another hybrid into the market. same as the perfectly capable hx getting pushed out for the mediocre civic hybrid.

f@ck big business.

[tjts1]

Originally Posted by budomove

I like how they disconinued the lupo 1l diesel capable of the same mpg, just so they could squeeze another hybrid into the market. same as the perfectly capable hx getting pushed out for the mediocre civic hybrid.

f@ck big business.

LOL
The 1L (engine size) lupo only came as a gasser which could never dream of reaching 69mpg. The 1.2L diesel did manage 2.99L/100km consumption highway but that was about half the car of this Golf. The Lupo was discontinued because it was an over priced failure. Its been replaced by the much cheaper Brazilian built Fox. The Golf is a much larger car than both the Lupo or Fox.

The next generation LUPO is coming to America with a 3 cyl rear mounted engine.

[budomove]

Originally Posted by tjts1

LOL
.... The Lupo was discontinued because it was an over priced failure.
The next generation LUPO is coming to America with a 3 cyl rear mounted engine.

tdi lupos are all over the place in italy. Thats too bad.
Great, the US needs more overpowered small cars.
The american market sucks elephants feet.
I wish we could just hypnotize everyone into being like us.

[diesel_john]

"I wish we could just hypnotize everyone into being like us."

how about instantaneous hypnotism, with a rubber mallet.

how do you take half the pistons out of a 3 cyl.

[MetroMPG]

Anybody else notice the "faux" alloys on the Golf, shown above. On closer inspection, they actually appear to be aero-friendly, very smooth discs.

[H4MM3R]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Anybody else notice the "faux" alloys on the Golf, shown above. On closer inspection, they actually appear to be aero-friendly, very smooth discs.

They are real alloys and aero-friendly at least that is what I saw here>>> http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/04/g...ybrid-concept/ updated info.

MetroMPG what do think of those wheels?

[MetroMPG]

Ah - so they are alloys.

But check this link: http://www.autoblog.com/photos/vw-go...hybrid/675148/

They've got inserts between the spokes, a la Prius, effectively presenting a smooth surface to the wind, except near the center.