69 MPG VW Golf TDI Hybrid

One point that should be made is that a 69 mpg diesel hybrid will emit as much CO2 as a 60 mpg gasoline car (or hybrid).

 

That's still quite an improvement over the 47 mpg second-generation Prius, but probably well below the propesed 80 mpg (in the city) 3rd generation Prius, expected in 2009.  Plus I'm guessing the Prius will be cheaper.  Though to be fair, it appears that the 80 mpg estimates are assuming the next-gen Prius will be a plug-in, which the Golf hybrid will not.

 

Still, it's good to see diesel hybrids being made, since it gives the option of making a biodiesel/electric hybrid.

Edited by dana1981 - Thu, 13 Mar 2008 19:42:30 UTC

Edited by dana1981 - Thu, 13 Mar 2008 19:47:58 UTC

Well that is an impressive figure (second generation Prius has 104 g/km CO2 emissions, in comparison), but there's still the issue of NOx and particulate emissions.

VW has pussed out and scrapped plans for the Golf diesel Hybrid, saying it would be too expensive, so they're not going to make it.  It appears that they will instead make it a gas/electric hybrid, which will not get as impressive gas mileage.

Edited by dana1981 - Mon, 28 Apr 2008 17:52:24 UTC

 

Yeah that's pretty disappointing.  I'd like to see some diesel/electric hybrids out there, especially converted to run on waste vegetable oil.  That would be kickass.  Gas/electric hybrids are good and all, but that's old news!

i think vw has its own reasons why they discontinued their manufacture, if it would be too expensive then consumers wont be able to easily afford it thus making the car just for show rooms. Its like creating an indestructible dash bar as reinforcement to your car, very helpful but too expensive.

Edited by archebald23 - 12/14/09 at 7:53pm

Maybe the emissions control system is more problematic?

For the diesel to operate at a constant speed such as for a generator is where they are most suited. 

Did they really give up? They are putting one model in the 2009 LA show this month, it is called the UP! Lite. I just got the email from Green Motorist last week...

http://www.thegreenmotorist.com/index.php/volkswagen-to-premiere-up-lite-at-the-2009-la-auto-show/


It does say "Concept" car. But I like it, I think it's sexy!

Looks good and from what İ have read VW is just a reluctant traveler on the hybrid - a lot of expense and until recently no real promise of returns.

İ would not at all be surprised that they had changed their mind! The concept car does look good! 

It is hard to tell with them, they also had a fully electric concept a year ago. (And Green motorist isn't always up to speed)

There's also a video on that link, it shows all the concept gadgets, which are pretty cool, but seem a little too futuristic $$$. (That might just be me though, I drive a 1972 Beetle [and a Chinese made electric scooter], so most car gadgets seem futuristic!)

I'll keep my fingers crossed, I really think VW is good at quality, although every car made by any manufacturer in this decade seems to have half the quality of a car built in '90s and before in my opinion. Too many things that can and do break!