Quote »

Geneva preview: Volkswagen Golf Hybrid Volkswagen is to unveil a diesel-electric hybrid Golf capable of returning an astonishing 83.1mpg and emitting just 89g/km of carbon dioxide. This isn't Volkswagen's first hybrid...This is the first near-production example, however, and the first of many. The technology will be used in a number of Volkswagen Group models, including the Jetta saloon - which sells in greater numbers in the US than the 'Rabbit' - and the Audi A3. The diesel-electric powertrain has been developed specifically with the US market in mind, and California in particular. As well as the Euro 5 emissions criteria, it will meet the US BIN 5 requirements for sale in all 50 states...

That 83.1mpg is probably imperial gallons (4Car is a British site); if so, it would be 69.2mpg US. Still, that's pretty impressive.

Edit: Added Jetta/A3 info to quote.
Modified by flubber at 7:24 PM 2-20-2008

Edit: Added US mpg conversion.

Modified by flubber at 8:20 AM 2-21-2008

Quote, originally posted by Fritz27 »

Not possible. He's a young, black athlete. He must be an idiot and only like blingchariots and not have the ability to drive. /TCL

I know the whackos at VW are off their rocker and will do anything against what the market dictates, but I'd think that by now, some automaker would've woken up and realized "****, we should sell this, and it makes a hell of a lot more sense than a gasoline-electric hybrid".

726 people posting in their sigs about how they have access to a secret forum.

http://killwithfire.blogspot.com/

Quote, originally posted by 3 Money Pits »

And why didn't VW (or any automaker) put such a powerplant into production years ago? Isn't it pretty obvious that a diesel hybrid compact would blow away even the Insight's MPG numbers?

Please see EPA regulations. Then add the wacky states. Then change the requirements most every year.

Quote, originally posted by 3 Money Pits »

I know the whackos at VW are off their rocker and will do anything against what the market dictates, but I'd think that by now, some automaker would've woken up and realized "****, we should sell this, and it makes a hell of a lot more sense than a gasoline-electric hybrid".

Wonder if it would be assembled in the USA?

Quote, originally posted by Tigerincarolina »

Please see EPA regulations. Then add the wacky states. Then change the requirements most every year.

The restrictive EPA regs have only been around for a few years(not to mention that I'd bet a small displacement diesel hybrid would have a better chance of meeting restrictive regs than what was on the market back then), and hybrids have been around in the US since 1999. I am just surprised that no automaker in that 6-7 years (all while gas prices were rising steadily), even Toyota, didn't think that this would be a stupid-smart idea.

Modified by 3 Money Pits at 9:11 PM 2-20-2008

726 people posting in their sigs about how they have access to a secret forum.

Hybrid powertrain helps with that. Hybrids can use electric help and run the ICE engine in its cleanest settings. Thus getting a clean rating without additional emission hardware. In the real world hybrids have sooty exhausts.

http://killwithfire.blogspot.com/

will it come into us

xbl GT: spidertri

Quote »

The technology will be used in a number of Volkswagen Group models, including the Jetta saloon - which sells in greater numbers in the US than the 'Rabbit' - and the Audi A3.

Quote, originally posted by bhtooefr »

clutch in, vroOOOM, slide into gear, clutch out at exactly the right time so that the clutch and flywheel are spinning at exactly the same speed. Very smooth, no clutch wear.

"A noble spirit embiggens the smallest man."

I doubt it's a plug-in hybrid. I bet it's for real.

Quote, originally posted by felixthecat, on why his genitalia are important to him »

Good god, I do have a wang and I just couldn't trade it in for a Prius.

That's one of the best parts of living in a state neighboring Kalifornia; as they change diesel emissions laws to not allow their residents to purchase new diesel vehicles we Arizonians can buy them brand new, drive them for 15-30k miles and then sell them and profit!

Go ahead Ahnold... keep your silly CARB laws active, I don't mind!

Poor Austrians, they always get screwed one way or another.

Screw the poor!!!

how.. this is nowhere NEAR the same thing as a volt.

for those of us who drive <40 miles round trip to and from work, the volt will NEVER use any gas on almost ALL daily trips...

and then dont even mention the future possibility of a diesel volt, or a hydrogen volt... etc.. the possibilities with the Volts layout are almost endless.

Quote, originally posted by Old school »

Kalifornia

Look at what he did! See the 'K'? ROFL.

Yeah, that's almost as good as the Lupo 3L they built years ago.

Bet the Lupo wouldn't stand a chance against a Chinese car in a crash test.

Premium compact hybrid is only so large of a market. If this steals only a fraction of potential Volt sales it will essentially make GM the loser. Think about it - if you could either design a car from scratch and sell 100000 copies at $30K or just change the motor on an existing car and sell 50000 copies at the same price point which one would you assume makes the best profit?

Quote, originally posted by DeutschlandLover »

Take that Prius whores!

Man, I tried, but they must have been out at my local VW dealership. I'll try again tomorrow.

that question makes no sense.... if the one that sells 100,000 copies only makes $1000 per, and the 50000 makes $3000 per... then well, your argument sucks.

The Lupo's 4-star crash rating says no

Quote, originally posted by MidnightSpecial »

I definitely wouldn't **** anyone that owns a Matrix.