VW Hybrid

VW’s Golf Diesel Hybrid Debuts. Tell Us Why You Love It
By Chuck Squatriglia March 5, 2008 | 10:39 am | Categories: Car Shows, EVs and Hybrids

Volkswagen made it official and pulled the sheet off its awesome Golf TDI Hybrid at the Geneva Motor Show, and even though we’ve already given you the lowdown on the car and shown you some pictures, we’ll give you the official word from VW because it’s clear you all love this car.

As expected, the hybrid has a 1.2 liter three-cylinder diesel engine and a 220V electric motor. The electric motor gets the car moving at low speeds, with the 73 horsepower diesel kicking in only when extra oomph is needed (or wanted) and when cruising at highway speeds. The car also can run either in full-electric or full internal combustion mode, according to VW. Power is transferred through a seven-speed DSG transmission to the front wheels. The car also has start/stop capability and regenerative braking.

Subtle styling tweaks, including a narrower grille and smaller front air intakes, improve aerodynamics. VW says the Golf TDI Hybrid consumes 3.4 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers, which by our math is 71.4 mpg. That’s a tad higher than the 69.9 cited in earlier reports, but either figure beats the gas-electric Toyota Prius and Honda Civic Hybrid by better than 20 mpg.