Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Geneva Motor Show, Green, Volkswagen
Geneva 2008: Volkswagen Golf TDI Hybrid Concept
by Frank Filipponio on Mar 4th 2008 at 4:38AM 
Click above for live shots of the Golf TDI Hybrid from Geneva
While scoping out the new Scirocco, we also spotted Volkswagen's slick new VW Golf TDI Hybrid concept. Looking lightly less racy than the new coupe to its left, this little economy powerhouse focuses on high mpg rather than high mph. As we just told you yesterday-ish, the car pairs a 75 PS (74 HP) three-cylinder TDI with a 27 HP electric motor and routes it through a 7-speed DSG to average a staggering 69 mpg (3.4l/100km) in the European cycle. And it also addresses emissions concerns with carbon dioxide rating of just under 90 g/km. V-Dub didn't expound upon the TDI Hybrid at length in their press release, but we've posted the excerpt that pertains to VW's miserly Golf after the jump.
Besides the impressive stats, our favorite bits are the wheel inserts that help improve aerodynamics in a way that somewhat reminded us of the Ferrari F1 car. Kudos, VeeDub and please bring it Stateside asap.
Gallery: VW Golf TDI Hybrid
Press Release
With its Golf TDI Hybrid, Volkswagen demonstrates the potential inherent in the combination of a high-tech diesel engine, an electric motor and 7-speed DSG technology. On show for the first time in the world at the Geneva Motor Show, the concept car consumes no more than 3.4 litres of diesel fuel per 100 kilometres. The powerful full-hybrid Golf TDI Hybrid can be run either in internal-combustion mode only or in mixed operation – the powerful yet thrifty combination of TDI and electric motor. The car is also designed to run on emissions-free electric power only. Power transmission to the front axle is managed by a 7-speed DSG gearbox. In city traffic, the automatic stop-start system will even switch off the turbo-diesel when the vehicle is stationary.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Hike15 6:53AM (3/04/2008)
What kind of mileage does it get on the US cycle?
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almost Dr. G.. 6:55AM (3/04/2008)
guesstimating mid 50's..
tom 4:19AM (3/06/2008)
Nah, it's more like 70 mpg
mattyp, uk 10:27AM (3/04/2008)
No tom its the other way round so it will be about 55mpg.
However nobody will ever see that out of it, did anyone see 5th gears test of the bluemotion polo?
It got 47.5mpg with standard driving when vw claims the combined average to be 74mpg, you should never expect to get what they claim as they run the cars sitting on dynamo's which ignores hills and a lot of drag and creates simulated traffic jams ect...not what happens in the real world
snakesausage 10:29AM (3/04/2008)
3.4L/100Km = 69.18 MPG US
PJ 10:06AM (3/04/2008)
So, is it safe to say Germany's outlook on hybrids will do a 180 now that they build one?
A diesel-electric hybrid actually sounds like a kick to drive in urban settings. Two torque monsters to give you that oomph up grades and away from the lights.
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Duodenum 10:15AM (3/04/2008)
I'd pre-order this car immediately if they announced it was coming to the US. Do it, VW, do it!
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H4MM3R 10:29AM (3/04/2008)
I so want this car. Hoping it comes to the U.S.
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Richard S. 11:00AM (3/04/2008)
If it could get 55 MPG in a U.S. combined cycle under "normal" driving conditions (A/C blowing, stop-n-go traffic, hills, highway merging acceleration, etc...) it would be great. Of course if they priced at the same cost of a Honda Accord it will be a loser. They need it to price this close to a Civic.
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why not the LS2LS7? 11:21AM (3/04/2008)
The CO2 emissions are 90gm/km, while the Prius is 100gm/km. This you can expect it to get 11% better mpg than the Prius when measured by similar standards. So that makes it roughly 51mpg when measured on the new US scale, or if you like higher numbers, a 60+mpg on the old US scale.
Different countries' figures produce different numbers, and the European ratings come out a lot higher than ours on cars with the same consumption. Converting them straight across can be misleading. Converting as I did above by using CO2 emissions is imperfect also.
Anyway, you can be damn sure this vehicle won't be rated at anything close to 75mpg by US standards. Now, some may still get 75mpg, just like for some people the older US mpg standards were more representative than the new ones. Truly, your mileage may vary.
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why not the LS2LS7? 11:45AM (3/04/2008)
Oh, hey, that was dopey of me. I forgot that Diesel produces 15% more CO2 per gallon than gas. This seems bad in general, but in this case it'll make the mpg ratings of this vehicle higher (even if the oil use isn't better).
Sorry, we're talking 57mpg on the new US scale and 68mpg or so on the old scale. I guess the figures aren't that far off of US ratings, at least the old US ratings.
blah 11:24AM (3/04/2008)
note the "real-world" test jalopnik conducted on the euro-spec civic hybrid and audi Q7 diesels.
http://jalopnik.com/356497/hypermiling-the-2007-honda-civic-22-i+ctdi-and-2007-audi-q7-42-tdi
they were significantly higher than the manufacturers estimates. also -- note that this is a diesel hybrid not purely a diesel -- so i don't believe you'll see as large of a mpg drop-off as mentioned earlier.
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why not the LS2LS7? 11:47AM (3/04/2008)
Interesting you use a article that talks of using hypermiling techniques as an indication of real-world mpg.
fusion01 5:31AM (3/05/2008)
Absolutely fantastic. As someone whom is as environmentally-friendly as possible in personal habits this is very welcome. Still can't see myself going for something this slow and unexciting (hence the conflict and contradictions I'm know for). Looking for that 200HP that does 4L to 100km's with under 120 g/km emissions, I'd settle for that with little guilt :)
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fusion01 5:31AM (3/05/2008)
H3MM3R comments: 'I so want this car. Hoping it comes to the U.S.' LOL, you seem a little confused or maybe it's just your guilt catching up with you?
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Adam 5:13PM (3/06/2008)
They can't even be bothered to bring the latest Rabbit TDI over here, I seriously doubt we'd see a more expensive diesel hybrid.
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Gene 8:41PM (4/18/2008)
When can I buy one!?!? Please VW, please bring this to California. I don't want to buy an ugly looking Prius!
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