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.
The emissions are quite an improvement, though.
They can skip the hybrid part. I wouldn't buy one anyway.
What's wrong with just a small car and a small diesel engine?
This has already been done, and they get fantastic mileage.
The diesel Lupo got 74 mpg, as I recall.
The problems have been with environmental controls. That took mileage away. Now with new technology, common rail fuel injection, piezo fuel injectors, extreme high pressure pumps and computer controls those problems have been overcome............
Listen, the only people who don't know about diesel hybrids are the dweebs, Affirmative Action Appointee bureaucraps, and the American Auto Industry.
Among the present recumbent's manifold failings is that he has failed to reform EPAs so that various states feel free to ban diesel automobiles for consumers ... even if they are hybrids.
Chaps my hide, the whole world is going to small clean diesels, 'ceptin' us. What gives? Natural idea: small diesel/electric powerplants in smallish, but decent-sized cars like that VW TDI. 60mpg,Comfort. Speed. DVD Player. A/C. No problem.
Come on Detroit, offer me something right now that a pizza guy I met in Naples already has, a nice shiny diesel/electric.
And probably smoked like a steam locomotive in the process.............
You're completely right, but remember improvements like that become exponentially more difficult.
Also, the new TDI is a vastly better vehicle than the 79 Rabbit.
In the late '70s, American car company management were afraid to put 4-speeds into higher production, because they were convinced that the average person would not or could not drive something so complicated (really). Now we are talking about 7 speeds -- automatics, I'm sure, but this kind of complexity used to be dismissed at the outset.
And that was a rational thing. The reliability was not good enough then. Now it is.
The high price of oil will do what it is supposed to: make alternatives realistic. It will now remain for Western consumers to break through the psychological barriers, and opt for the technical solutions. There will certainly be mis-starts and technologies that are not right, but once the barrier is breached, a real solution will emerge.
Oil may go down in price again, but the point about high mileage vehicles is that they are a hedge against price volatility.
They got those.
Check out the Hummer 1.
I had a 1988 Honda CRX HF for a few years in the early 90s. It regularly got over 50 mpg city, and I recall clocking 70 mpg on a highway drive between DC and NYC.
If you'll forgive my cheek, you sound like me! No offense.
BTW; I'm on your tagline. I've taken the liberty to change the spelling some to avoid copyright infringment.
Cold day, and your start could look like a tire dump fire. 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.
Carolyn
No kidding. Hybrids are nothing more than a gimmick for increasing the profit margin for a vehicle. People buy these things on a guilt trip and think they will save the planet... or worse... money (hah!).
I hope to never have to buy a hybrid. I can't justify spending $10k to $20k or more just for the privilege of carrying a heavy battery around in my car.
What's wrong with just a small car and a small diesel engine?
I want one too! I want the highest MPG I can get out of a non-hybrid vehicle.
The increased mileage (69 mpg) more than offsets the higer per gallon fuel cost.
Can you say net savings?
“They can skip the hybrid part. I wouldn’t buy one anyway.
What’s wrong with just a small car and a small diesel engine?”
Hybrid is feel good PC crap. Just look at the Ford commercial where the kid wants her dad to stay away from the school because the car isn’t a hybrid.
A hybrid’s extra cost and complexity doesn’t translate to enough fuel savings. Not to mention, making those batteries, and disposing them, is an environmental disaster.
You are dead on, a small car with a diesel is the way to go. Heck, even a gas powered Civic gets 35-40 mpg on the highway.
Why not leave out the large battery, and just use the diesel running at some optimal rpm to generate power for the electric? Like a locomotive does, or some ships?
Seems like it ought to work.
Let’s say two cars are being considered.
Both are exactly alike, except one is gasoline powered and the other is Diesel powered.
Both have a 10 gallon tank.
Gasoline is $3.00 a gallon.
Diesel is $3.50 a gallon.
The gasoline model gets 30 mpg.
The Diesel model gets 40 mpg.
Gasoline miles per tank = 300 miles.
Diesel miles per tank = 400 miles.
Gasoline trip costs = $30.00
Diesel trip costs = $35.00
You go 100 miles farther for $5.00 in the Diesel.
That $5.00 would have bought 1.667 gallons of gasoline, that would have carried you only 50 miles...........
Finally!
If they made a pick-up I’d be interested.
Here is the best site - http://www.greencar.com/
My brother is the expert journalist in the field. His magazine names the Green Car of the Year at the LA Auto Show and the Green Technology Award at the DC Auto Show.
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