Volkswagen has revealed its intentions to enter the race to build and market ultra-efficient plug-in hybrid vehicles with the unveiling today of the new Golf Twin Drive. The new concept car receives its name from its twin powerplant design, which features an electric motor designed for city driving and an internal combustion engine for longer trips.
The electric motor in the Twin Drive produces a peak output of 82hp (61kW) and allows the Golf to reach a top speed of 120km/h. The motor runs on an array of fast-charging lithium-ion batteries that can be charged from a regular household power outlet. On electric power alone the car can travel up to 50km, enough for most daily trips, but once the batteries are depleted a 122hp (91kW) 2.0L turbodiesel engine takes over.
To boost its range further, the car also features engine stop-start technology and regenerative brakes.
Volkswagen will trial a fleet of 20 Twin Drive Golfs in 2010 together with the German government under a new scheme investigating the future of personal mobility. To ensure the cars are true zero-emissions vehicles, the electrical energy required to charge the batteries under the trial will be generated from renewable resources such as wind and hydro power.
Reader Comments
Thu Jun 26 2008 9:32 AM
raptor says
Very well, as long as they can offer it for around 20 000 € (although I expect it will be far north from that number).
Thu Jun 26 2008 10:22 AM
chris says
yeah the all mighty dollar is key.. but that cost goes down as the manufacturing process gets refined.
What I really hate are these pilot programs, because they never tell you what those 20 cars actually cost.
with the volt... its a more capable car, and there is a definite cost.
Thu Jun 26 2008 7:50 PM
meng says
How can it qualify as "true zero-emissions vehicle" when it runs (partly) on petroleum? Would they be limited to driving within the electric-only range and thus never having the diesel engine kick in?
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