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.
My VW dealer says the TDi Jettas are due out in 2010 models. They were supposed to come out this year, but with the new laws passed by Congress they decided to wait.
Whoops. According to your example it is only a $500 a year savings.
Can we start slitting eco-weenie throats yet?
CORRECTED (with thanks to those who caught my rushed math)
Just for reference:
$3/gallon gas
@ 30 mpg = $0.10/mile (Corvette, Mercedes E320)
@ 60 mpg = $0.05/mile (Lucky to achieve.)
10,000 miles per year. $500 annual difference in fuel cost.
Which is more than offset by the cost to replace the batteries after a period of years.
Carolyn
I hear ya. I love my Jetta (fastest and most invisible car under $30K), but at 19 mpg in the city it seems a waste to have a small car. I told my dealer I'll give him cash when the new TDi's come in and he told me I'd still have to get in line.
The large battery weighs 99 pounds.
Basically, the battery pack is made up of 184 D-cell Ni-cad flashlight batteries wired in series and mounted in a sealed pack.
Good for full power for about 1.5 minutes.
Not true. They are on the way this year, a spring introduction is well in the works.
VW has one of the worst frequency of repair records of any brand of cars. Look it up in Consumer Reports.
“Which one do you think is faster, a 4000lb 190hp Camaro or this VW?”
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/01/the_buzz_around.php
I got a GTI the first year the MKIVs came out in 2000. Stuff like a broken glove box door, window regulators killed their "evaluation" by CR. But I sold mine 4years and 70K later and it ran just as good as the day I bought it.
Don’t know. Does this one have a turboencabulator?
Ok, so you can get 69 mpg @ $3.50-$3.75/gallon OR 25-30 mpg @ $3.25. You tell me which is the rip off?
How does it perform in snow 2 feet deep and temperatures down to -15F? The Mariner in an on demand 4WD and seats 5 comfortably. I also have an altitude consideration. My house is located at 4600 ft. That impacts mileage too. It's an apples/oranges comparison.
My old 1991 Mercedes 300E got about 18/22 mpg, and took premium unleaded - currently about 3.40 per gallon. My newer 2005 Mercedes E320 (same model family) gets about 25/33 mpg, and takes diesel - currently about 3.80 per gallon.
For about 10% more money, I get about 45% more mileage.
And, it’s very cool to go 600 miles on a tank of fuel.
sitetest
Would that be a 2009 model?
Well, I just received the latest Consumer Reports Auto Issue in the mail, irregardless of your personal experience, it's not just "minor stuff". The CR ratings show the VW's various models rated below average to terrible in all the following categories: Drive System, Fuel System, Electrical, Climate System, Brakes, Body Hardware, & Power Equipment.
I had the misfortune to have one of these for a rental of about 800 miles. It was the top of the line one, loaded up with leather, etc, maybe a Passat, don't recall exactly, and had only had about 8000 miles on it. We were driving along in desolate Eastern Colorado, and suddenly every single light including the speed, warning lites, etc., on the dash went dark, and stayed that way for the remaining hours of our trip, and it was nighttime. It did the same thing on the return trip. Luckily, the motor kept running, and the headlights worked, so we didn't get stranded.
Later I spoke to my niece, who owned one of the things for a couple of years, told her what happened, and she said, "Oh yeah, ours used to do that. We took it to the dealer several times, they said it was fixed, but it kept doing it." She owned Hondas before and after her one unpleasant experience with a VW. You can have them. I wouldn't even accept one for a car rental again.
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