VW Working on Golf Hybrid
December 1, 2006 – 10:25 pm by Matt Radel
Filed under Volkswagen Golf
VW plans to enter the hybrid market…with style. Death to the Prius!
eGMCarTech reports “prototype using 10% less fuel than a conventional vehicle while running its engine” and “the hybrid components take up 50% less space than existing hybrids.”
Apparently VW is using the Prius as it’s yardstick for success (I mean, who wouldn’t) by using a transmission that’s “35kg lighter” than the one used by Toyota. But my question is, would such a model really sell? I wholeheartedly believe that the vast majority of folks that drive hybrids out there go with the Prius because of it’s distinctive design. They want people to know that they’re driving a hybrid, and how sophisticated they are, and the love the earth…blah, blah, blah. I don’t think a little badge on the back of a car simply stating it’s a hybrid will be enough.
Personally I always enjoyed VW’s commitment to diesels (as they still seem to get better mileage than a hybrid) and thought it kind of made them stand out in the fuel sipping contest. But as government restrictions on diesel emissions tighten, VW might be forced to look at other alternatives like this. I just hope they aren’t stuck playing catch up in this market.
VW Working on Golf Hybrid
December 1, 2006 – 10:25 pm by Matt Radel
The diesel market is about to blow up, including diesel/hybrid (like BlueTec). Once the low-sulfur diesels start appearing in the next year or two, gas/hybrid is going to be silly. I think VW is doing this just to help gain some buyers until their diesels are allowed back in the US.
I think people in the US have jumped on the gas hybrid train because they see it as the first “good mpg” vehicle available en masse. I don’t blame them (Gas/Hybrid owners), it’s the first semi-efficient vehicle that was ever really marketed to US car buyers. It’s hard to know there are other options out there if you’ve never heard of it.
When I was looking for a new car two summers ago, it wasn’t a TDI I was looking for, but a Prius. Not because I wanted to “be cool”, but because I was under the impression that it was the only good MPG vehicle available. Being a VW nut, I kept doing research and eventually discovered the TDI. VW has put not more than a dime or two into marketing their 50mpg diesels, even though they have been available in the US for over 25 years. The image of a diesel (in the US) has always been bad and the auto manufactures have just accepted it as such and not tried to fight it. That’s changing though.
Simply put, an efficient gas/hybrid is a boring car to drive. Sure there are SUV hybrids, truck hybrids, V6 Honda hybrids, etc.., but they are not efficient. Diesels by themselves are efficient (and fun to drive), adding hybrid technology only makes them more efficient without sacrificing driving enjoyment. It’s a no brainer.
Hi Justin
Maybe you should research a bit on the emissions of so called cleean diesels. Then you would notice that the Prius is still the cleaner, good MPG vehicle.
Cheers
Tom
The VW Golf Hybrid is announced!