VW unveils plug-in electric Golf head for U.S., plug-in Jetta to follow

[tammywammy]

VW unveils plug-in electric Golf head for U.S., plug-in Jetta to follow

Volkswagen has revealed a plug-in electric version of the Golf, previewing the zero-emissions driveline and lithium-ion battery technology the company intends to put into a production version of the new car. VW chairman Martin Winterkorn says the plug-in Golf will go on sale in Germany and other key markets, including North America, in 2013.

Called the Golf Blue-E-Motion, the car forms part of a broad-based electric-vehicle offensive by VW that will see similar versions of the Mexico-built Jetta and the Chinese-market Lavida also going on sale in 2013.

-snip-

VW says it intends to produce a fleet of as many as 500 prototype versions of the Golf Blue-E-Motion for internal testing before the production version arrives in 2013, shortly before the introduction of the Jetta and versions.

In a parallel program, VW is also working on a new range of hybrid models. Initiated with the new Touareg hybrid, it will be widened to include a Jetta hybrid in 2012, using the system from the Coupe Concept revealed at this year's Detroit auto show, as well as Golf and Passat hybrids in 2013, Winterkorn said.


edited to add: I forgot the link! http://www.autoweek.com/article/20100503/GREEN/100509981

[Vincardog]

1. Are you listening Detroit?

[tammywammy]

3. According to this article good for 93 miles

"The drivetrain uses a single-speed transmission developed by VW. According to Automotive News Europe, a clutch decouples the electric motor on a trailing throttle to provide what VW calls a “sailing effect” with little mechanical drag. The entire drivetrain is mounted under the hood. The 26.5 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery is mounted in what would be the transmission tunnel of the conventional car. VW says it’s good for 93 miles."

Read More http://www.wired.com/autopia/2010/05/volkswagen-golf-blue-e-motion/#ixzz0p3IYpwfS


After I pay off the current vehicle, this electric car would provide for the majority of my driving.

edited to add: This combined with Toyota joining up with Testla is great news for the electric car.

[dmallind]

4. Ford will have its Focus EV out 18 mos before this. Admittedly Nissan 10mos before that! NT

[Statistical]

15. You should be asking are you listening VW...

Volt and Focus EV will both be out a year before this vaporware vehicle.

[Robb]

2. In general, I'm just glad I'm not an auto maker

Selling new cars in a used car economy has got to be difficult.

[dmallind]

5. I'm not an electrical engineer or physicist - anybody good with these?

VW - 85Kw 26.5 KwH 93 mile range claimed

Nissan - 80Kw 24 KwH 100 mile range claimed

Weights would probably about equal as would sizes.


Which of these numbers most determines range and how do they interact?

[IDemo]

14. My two cents

The KW (kilowatt) figure refers to the motor power, the KWH (kilowatt/hour)to the energy storage of the battery system.

For the VW, 85kW = about 114 horsepower, but it wouldn't use that much for most driving, otherwise that 26kwh of battery charge would get you not quite 20 minutes of drive time (and not even that, since the idea isn't to completely drain the battery). It takes very little power to keep a vehicle rolling once it attains speed. The range is most dependent on the kwh figure, given vehicles of the same weight and power. But it would also vary according to aerodynamics, terrain, rolling resistance of the tires, and driving style.

Regenerative braking also puts juice back in the battery, so city driving is more efficient than it would be otherwise.

[Statistical]

16. kWh is what matters.

It is the capacity of the battery. Kinda like gas tank size in a conventional vehicle.

Seems like VW is being more conservative. They have a 10% larger tank yet are claiming 7% less mileage.
Unless their vehicle is heavier and/or less aerodynamic that would be unusual.

[happy_liberal]

6. ahead of their time as usual

we just bought a VW rabbit from the 80s....40+ MPG

[greencharlie]

7. won't be useful for all families...

that 100 mile range is a red flag... the chevrolet Volt gives long range and plug-in hybrid benefits.

[blue_onyx]

8. I agree

The 100 mile range is fine for everyday use but what about road trips? Right now, a plug-in hybrid makes more sense than an all-electric vehicle.

[NutmegYankee]

11. VW is to build hybrids in parallel.

"In a parallel program, VW is also working on a new range of hybrid models. Initiated with the new Touareg hybrid, it will be widened to include a Jetta hybrid in 2012, using the system from the Coupe Concept revealed at this year's Detroit auto show, as well as Golf and Passat hybrids in 2013, Winterkorn said."

Read more: http://www.autoweek.com/article/20100503/GREEN/100509981#ixzz0p4bj5YbZ

[dmallind]

17. Just about 3/4 of them who do less than 100 mile per day. NT

[tammywammy]

9. kick n/t

[flvegan]

10. It's a step, I guess. Sad that the Bluemotion diesels have been sold in Europe

for 5 or 6 years and get 60+ mpg right now, but we have to wait until 2013 for these.

[tammywammy]

13. Agreed

The American public in general is anti-diesel. I'm not, I loooove me some diesel.

I really like the idea of a little VW electric to cover my daily commute, and my Tiguan for any trips to Home Depot that require more cargo room or longer distance trips.

[BelgianMadCow]

12. the timing is sad but good - still, maybe more of a PR thing

a fleet of prototypes <> production in 2013