NAIAS: Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid
The Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid combines two entities hated most by car fans – the new Volkswagen Jetta, and hybrids – on to which auto enthusiasts can project their deep-seated anger issues.
Volkswagen says that fuel economy should be at 45 mpg combined while 0-60 will come up in 9 seconds. This may not be “ …fun out on the highway…” as another blogger termed it, but we were intrigued to see that Volkswagen is using a 1.4L turbocharged engine making 150 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque as the gasoline side of the equation. A 7-speed DSG gearbox is used to put the power to the ground. Why can’t we just get this motor in place of the 2.0L 4-cylinder and 2.5L 5-cylinder engines?
The hybrid system it self seems underwhelming with a tiny 1.1kWh battery allowing the car to move gas free for a mere 1.2 miles at speeds of up to 44 mph. Minor styling changes, weird looking alloy wheels and hybrid badging round out the visual changes. VW made no pricing announcements for the Jetta Hybrid
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Turbocharged DSG hybrid? Sounds like a quality nightmare. Reminds me of the VW twincharger engines: simultaneously turbocharged AND supercharged.
I've driven a friend's new Jetta TDI and it is a fantastic car. Good steering, brakes, chassis, and lots of low-end grunt. That's useful around town. If they can replicate this with a decently reliable hybrid that drives better than a prius or camry it will sell. I've discovered two things in my life: Software guys should not design computer products and car enthusiasts should not design cars for the masses.
My guess is that this car is insurance in the event that CARB or someone else manages to completely outlaw diesel passenger vehicles in the US.
Why is VW so dumb?? Don't use a 1.4 liter OTTO cycle gas engine! I don't think they are even using an Atkinson cycle OTTO. VW is not very good with gas engines, take the whopping 31MPG hwy new Beetle for example. Come on now! It's real easy. Put a 1.2 liter turbodiesel like you have in the European Polo and mate it to a strong hybrid drivetrain. Bam. Now you have more MPG than any Prius and decent acceleration due to the power of the electric motor. 55-60MPG HWY is within reach. I know VW can make that 1.2L Diesel pass emissions in the USA so make it happen and beat the competition! Don't use the oversized 2L diesel engine that you use in the USA Passat, Jetta, Beetle, use the small 1.2L from Europe!