Jetta Hybrid brings electric power to a new class of Volkswagen

 

The new Jetta Hybrid has made its world debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, bringing electric drive to a new class of Volkswagen.  Propulsion comes from a high-tech 1.4-litre TSI 150 PS petrol engine and a 20 kW zero-emissions electric motor.  Together, these provide not merely fuel consumption that is around 20 per cent better overall than an equivalent petrol-powered vehicle (at 45 mpg US – around 54 mpg Imperial), but also sporty performance, with the benchmark 0 to 60 mph sprint taking less than nine seconds.

Like the Touareg Hybrid, the Jetta is a parallel hybrid, using a decoupling clutch that can disengage the petrol motor for pure electric drive (or when coasting or braking), disengage the electric motor (for higher speeds or when the battery charge is low), or combine the two units for maximum power.  Using electric power alone, the Jetta Hybrid can be driven at speeds of up to 70 kmh (44 mph) and over a distance of two kilometres (1.3 miles), depending on conditions.  For maximum performance, both the TSI engine and the electric motor combine, giving peak power of 170 PS.  This is the first use of the 1.4-litre turbocharged engine in America, and it offers the same power and more torque (250 Nm, 184 lbs ft) than the normally aspirated 2.5-litre engine that is commonly used in the Jetta there. 

A lithium-ion battery supplies the energy for the electric motor.  It is located behind the rear seat bench, making no compromises on interior space.  The battery is made up of 60 individual cells, each with an energy capacity of five Ah.  Together they produce a nominal voltage of 220 Volts and an energy capacity of 1.1 kWh and weigh 38.5 kg.  Cooling is provided by an integrated fan, operated by the battery’s own management system that performs diagnostic, monitoring and safety functions, including disconnecting the battery in the event of an accident.

Power is directed to the front wheels via a seven-speed dual clutch DSG gearbox, which is efficient and lightweight, at 74 kg.  Despite the extra weight of the battery, electric motor and extra safety modifications to the vehicle’s structure, the Jetta Hybrid weighs only 100 kg more than the non-hybrid Jetta at less than 1,500 kg in total.

Provided the battery contains sufficient charge, the Jetta Hybrid is switched to electric drive mode either automatically (at speeds of up to 60 kmh or 37 mph) or at the press of a button next to the gear lever (up to 70 kmh or 44 mph).

When the driver releases the accelerator pedal at higher speeds (up to 135 kmh or 84 mph) the TSI engine is decoupled, reducing drag torque losses, and maximising fuel efficiency.  Under braking, the Jetta Hybrid switches to a battery regeneration mode, which decouples the TSI engine and uses the electric motor as a generator.  The generating power of the motor rises with increased brake pedal travel.  At higher speeds, or when the battery charge is depleted, the TSI motor provides extra power to recharge the battery, however even in these situations the charging is interspersed with electric driving phases to maximise fuel efficiency.

Externally, the Jetta Hybrid can be identified by aerodynamic modifications including a new front spoiler, a rear diffuser and a rear spoiler that help to improve the car’s Cd value by 10 per cent.  There are also new headlights with LED running lights, LED rear lights and unique 15-inch alloy wheels with low rolling resistance tyres.  ‘Hybrid’ badges adorn the front wings, bootlid and modified front grille, where the Volkswagen logo is presented on a blue background for the first time.

The interior of the Hybrid is very much like that of any other Jetta, although the electric drive, along with a newly designed exhaust system, an acoustic windscreen and thicker front side windows help to make this the quietest vehicle Volkswagen has ever offered in this class.

One key interior difference is in the instruments.  If the driver selects the ‘Hybrid’ menu in the multifunction display, the current drive mode is shown, while a meter indicates energy flow via arrows.  The same screen also shows the battery charge state.  Beneath the energy flow diagram is what is known as the ePower meter, which indicates the power provided by the electric motor.

The tachometer is replaced by the Power meter, a multifunction display on the left of the instrument cluster.  This informs the driver of the operation of the hybrid system: ‘Ready’, ‘Charge’, ‘Eco’, ‘Boost’ or ‘TSI’.  The audio system, meanwhile, has a ‘zero emissions’ menu.  This offers a graphical display of the past 30 minutes of driving time, with a bar showing emissions each minute: a full, 100 per cent bar represents no emissions at all.

Standard equipment on the US-spec SE model includes a 2Zone climate control system that works without the TSI engine running, a ‘Premium 8’ sound system, Bluetooth phone integration, MDI interface for iPod connectivity and a leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel.  Moving up to SEL1 specification adds 16-inch alloy wheels, a glass sunroof, RNS 315 satellite navigation, electric driver’s seat adjustment, heated front seats and keyless entry.  The top SEL2 specification adds to this further, with 17-inch wheels, fog lights, bi-xenon headlights with cornering function, a reversing camera and a 400-Watt Fender sound system.

The Jetta Hybrid launches in North America in November 2012; there are no current plans to sell this model in the UK.

Article source: www.volkswagn.co.uk

Volkswagen presents latest efficiency technology system: Worlds first cylinder shut-off in four-cylinder TSI

Volkswagen is the first manufacturer in the world to implement cylinder shut-off on a four-cylinder TSI engine in high-volume production.  The primary goal of the high-tech system is to reduce fuel consumption significantly by temporarily shutting off two of the four cylinders under low to medium loads.  In fact, cylinder shut-off reduces fuel consumption of the 1.4-litre TSI by 0.4 litre per 100 km in the NEDC driving cycle. When Start/Stop functionality is integrated, which deactivates the engine in neutral gear, the savings effect adds up to about 0.6 litre per 100 km.

The greatest benefits of the cutting edge technology are realised while driving at constant moderate speeds.  At 50 km/h, in third or fourth gear, savings amount to nearly one litre per 100 km.  This new fuel efficient TSI will therefore also fulfil the future EU6 emissions standard.  High efficiency does not exclude driving comfort: even when running on just two cylinders, the 1.4-litre TSI – with its excellent engine balance – is still very quiet and low in vibration.

Cylinder shut-off is active whenever the engine speed of the 1.4-litre TSI is between 1,400 and 4,000 rpm and its torque is between 25 and 75 Nm.  This applies to nearly 70 per cent of the driving distance in the EU fuel economy driving cycle.  As soon as the driver presses the accelerator pedal sufficiently hard, cylinders 2 and 3 are reactivated imperceptibly.  The system takes its information from the accelerator pedal sensor to detect the mode of driving.  If the driving exhibits a non-uniform pattern – for example, while driving in roundabout traffic or in a sporty style on a country road – shut-off functionality is automatically suppressed.

Article source: www.volkswagen.co.uk

Double honours for Volkswagen in What Car? used car awards

Volkswagen has been honoured with two class victories in What Car? magazine’s Used Car of the Year 2011 awards.  The 2006 Passat Estate claimed a win in the Estate car category, while the 2009 Golf TDI was crowned with the best Green used car accolade.

The What Car? Used Car of the Year judging panel was made up of experts from all areas of the motor industry including car dealerships, auction houses and What Car? magazine itself.

The Volkswagen Passat Estate was highly praised for its blend of style, substance and value, as well as its capacious boot, ample cabin space and supple but engaging ride.  Commenting on the win, one of the judges, Kurtis Williams from Lex Autolease, said: ‘The Passat is a brilliantly built premium estate with excellent diesel engines,’ and added, ‘it’s surprisingly handsome for such a practical car.’

Meanwhile, the economical, practical and well-specified Golf SE 1.6-litre TDI was judged to be the best Green used car available, with What Car?’s used car editor, Matt Sanger, summing it up by stating: ‘Great to drive and very efficient, the Golf should be at the top of every green driver’s wish list.’

It’s not only the products which make Volkswagens a good used buy, but also the service.  In April this year, Volkswagen rolled out its ‘Das WeltAuto’ used car programme which is designed to make the purchase of a secondhand car as appealing as the new car process.  

Behind the scheme is Volkswagen’s Dave Wilding.  He comments: ‘Despite our best efforts there is still a gap between the new and used car purchase experience.  In launching Das WeltAuto, we’re attempting to close that gap and to match the used car and the package that comes with it to the requirements of the customer.’ 

He continues: ‘We’ve worked hard to develop the right components for the programme and also on branding and marketing.  Wherever customers see the orange Das WeltAuto branding they’ll know they’ll get a great customer experience.’

Article source: www.volkswagen.co.uk

What we know about the 2013 Volkswagen Golf, next-gen GTI

Lighter, faster, stronger, better. That's what we can expect from the seventh-generation Volkswagen Golf, due to be unveiled at the 2012 Paris Motor Show before it hits dealerships across Europe this fall and eventually lands on U.S. shores as a 2013 model.

So what makes it special? A combination of new manufacturing processes, an all-new platform, a range of upgraded engines and what will go down as one of the greatest democratizations of active safety and in-car technology in automotive history.

What's more, the next GTI will be an order of magnitude better because of it, bringing it back in line with the original hot hatch while packed with even more standard features.

It all starts with Volkswagen's new Modular Transverse Matrix (MQB) platform, which is set to underpin every front-wheel-drive VW product from the Polo to the Passat, along with the 2013 Audi A3. To hear VW tell it, it will redefine the automaker's manufacturing processes while curing world hunger and eradicating leprosy.

Article source: www.autoblog.com

 Look no hands - Bluetooth kit adds more value to Polo range

 

Customers buying a new Volkswagen Polo will now get value worth talking about (even if they’re alone in the car), thanks to the addition of standard Bluetooth hands-free phone connection kits on all models above S specification.

All Polo models from the BlueMotion up will now come fitted with the Touch Phone Kit, which was previously a £245 option.  The Touch Phone Kit adds a 2.8-inch colour touchscreen to the Polo’s dashboard.  This can display a phone book, call lists, reception status and more, depending on the make and model of the phone to which it is connected.

The Touch Phone Kit also offers voice control of functions including dialling and answering, and can even ‘read’ out text messages and emails that are received.  Two telephones may also be connected at the same time.

All Polo models also now come with DAB digital radio as standard, giving customers a greater choice of radio stations to which to listen, and all models from Match trim up also come with an MDI multi-device interface, for seamless integration of portable music devices such as iPods.

It’s not just the Polo that customers will be calling home about.  Bluetooth is also standard on all High up! city cars; all Golf, Golf Estate, Golf Plus, Jetta, Touran, Tiguan and Sharan models above S specification; and all Golf Cabriolet, Scirocco, Eos, Passat, Passat Estate, CC, Touareg and Phaeton models.

For more information visit click here to explore the Polo range.

Article source: www.volkswagen.co.uk

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VW Specialist London Blog