Posted on 03/05/2008 10:45:17 AM PST by Red Badger
The Golf TDI Hybrid concept (earlier post) introduced by Volkswagen at the Geneva Motor Show combines an advanced diesel engine with an electric motor and the latest generation of VW’s seven-speed DSG gearbox. The hybrid concept vehicle is capable of achieving 3.4 L/100km (69 mpg US) of fuel consumption.
At the core of the new Golf TDI Hybrid is a 1.2-liter three-cylinder common rail TDI diesel engine developing 55 kW (74 hp) and 179 Nm (132 lb-ft) of torque. Working either in tandem with the diesel engine or, if required, on its own in all-electric mode, is an electric motor developing 20 kW and 140 Nm (103 lb-ft) of torque. The electric motor also replaces the conventional starter motor and alternator to save weight and improve packaging.
The motor 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 kWh.
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 channeled through the new seven-speed DSG twin-clutch gearbox. This features a pair of dry clutches as opposed to wet clutches.
Visual changes which differentiate the Golf TDI Hybrid include a new, unique grille design, smaller front air intakes to reduce aerodynamic drag and ‘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.
The Golf TDI Hybrid is currently a concept vehicle, but Volkswagen says that 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 optimized 1.9-liter, four-cylinder diesel engine linked to a revised gearbox and more efficient aerodynamics the Golf BlueMotion can achieve a combined 4.5 L/100km (52.3 mpg US) while emitting just 119 g/km of CO2.
I check that site, too from time to time. Thanks!..........
They do....The H2 will be coming out in diesel sometime within the next two years.....looking forward to that...
Seems like it ought to work.
Because the purpose of the diesel electric system on a locomotive is not economy.
That's true, but you and I both know that even with new rules on content, it still doesn't account for the price increase!
But it was cheap, especially if you could buy 1000 gals at a time and weren't super-patriotic about road taxes and knew a little about dyes
Hmmm....sounds like somebody here was an independent adept at running the weigh stations....
I had a Mercedes 220D back then. Glow plug starter. Sold it to some guy in Newport Beach who had an offshore diving bell company. Right after I sold it, the prices went up! (sold in March of '79). But he kept it, ran for I don't know how long.
And you're right, on a cold morning it belched blackness.
I wonder if it breaks down like modern VW’s have a tendency to do. Truth is, for reliability, you’d be better off with GM, to say nothing of Toyota, Honda, or Nissan. At least with GM vehicles if they do break down the parts don’t cost nearly so much.
Where are the cars that get 69mpg on premium gas?
“charge the 220 volt battery
Seems like if you get into an accident, someone could get fried. Ouch!”
I know, why don’t they just stick to those nice safe tanks of gasoline, they never cause any problems.
Better find out the price premium for the diesel hybrid first.
Diesels are an economical choice for passenger cars in Europe because the price of fuel is considerably higher there. However, you would need to drive an awful lot of miles for them to be economical here.
Hybrids aren't really economical here, though as their batteries get to have a longer life cycle and gasoline prices increase, they may become economical.
However, combining the higher price of a diesel motor and the higher price of a hybrid doesn't sound like an economical winner.
Gasoline motors also tend to be lower in efficiency at low RPMs, and the electric motor has good low end torque, so they compliment each other well. That's the reason I was told that we haven't seen diesel hybrids before now.
VW may have found a way to make an extremely efficient diesel hybrid, or they may have just found an expensive way of having the highest MPG in their class which will likely sell to some people despite it not being cost effective.
The base engine was a 229-ci V6 rated at 115 horsepower, while the California version was a 231-ci rated at 110 horsepower. The Z28 brought its buyers the power they sought: a 350-ci V8 rated at 190 horsepower. It was also given a new look, with an intimidating grill sporting the Z28 emblem."
Which one do you think is faster, a 4000lb 190hp Camaro or this VW?
America is a big country; hybrids make sense for some, but not for others.
Carolyn
Just for reference:
$3/gallon gas
@ 30 mpg = $0.10/mile (Corvette, Mercedes E320)
@ 60 mpg = $0.20/mile (Lucky to achieve.)
10,000 miles per year. $1000 annual difference in fuel cost.
Which about offsets the cost to replace the batteries after a period of years.
Our new lower sulfur fuel is satisfactory for sale in Europe, thus creating a competing market for our fuel supply. The European fuel has sulfur levels higher than we permit, thus their fuel supply isn't impacted by demand from U.S. based consumers.
Just talking money, instead of “math”. The initial purchase of a diesel engine automobile is higher, for various reasons. But one of those reasons is the materials that a diesel engine is made of. Because of their higher compression than gasoline engines and more power transmitted to the wheels at low RPMs, the diesels are made of much tougher materials. And, as a result they last longer than gasoline engines. So you get more miles per $$$ spent on the engine and better fuel economy, too. The GM fiasco of the 1980’s with their gasoline-converted diesel engines left many people with a bad taste for diesel engines. That bad experience is fading away, slowly, as a new generation of drivers comes on the scene. Already, in Europe, 53% OF ALL NEW AUTOMOBILES SOLD ARE DIESELS! We are waaaaay behind, for many reasons, the GM fiasco just being one of them. Enviro-whackos and ETHANOL MADNESS are two big reasons................
If you buy a diesel and drive a lot of miles, you will eventually see savings due to using fuel despite the higher price up front.
With hybrids you pay the higher price up front, but you also have the high costs of replacing the battery if you drive the vehicle a lot of miles. Last I read, when the costs of replacing the battery were included you didn't end up saving money even if you drove a lot.
However, the price of gasoline has been going up, and they have been improving the batteries, so that may have changed by now or in the not so distant future.
For some people there are other benefits to owning a hybrid. I have a friend with a Mercury Mariner Hybrid that loves it not just because of the fuel mileage, but because it doubles as a generator when tailgating or campground camping.
For some people it is worth the extra expense to produce less emissions and direct less money toward the oil industry.
Different people have different priorities.
Rip off is an incorrect expression when only applied to diesel fuel. If diesel fuel prices are a rip off then all fuel derived from crude oil is a rip off. Diesel fuel is basically the cost of home heating oil with the highway taxes added. Of course home heating oil is delivered to the address where it is consumed while diesel is delivered to a distribution center.
Refineries' must produce home heating oil and several blends of gasoline in anticipation of the demand. A 42 gallon barrel of crude oil yields approximately nine gallons of distillate fuel oil, approximately four gallons of jet fuel, and approximately 20 gallons of gasoline.
Your 60 mpg example should be a cost of $.05/mile. But your answer is correct. I’d give you 1/2 credit. ;^)
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