A Greener VW on the Horizon
September 24, 2007 – 3:03 pm by Matt Radel
Filed under Featured, Volkswagen Eos, Volkswagen Tiguan
Head of development Ulrich Hackenberg: “Future VW models will fundamentally also be constructed with hybrid concepts.”
According to Leftlane News, VW will offer hybrids for all future models, and possibly an all electric version of the UP! concept. They will also offer a BlueMotion version of the Tiguan and possibly the Eos.
This is the first automaker I’ve heard commit to converting it’s entire lineup to hybrids, and I have to say that I’m surprised it’s VW. I would have expected this move from Toyota or Honda. Don’t get me wrong - I’m actually pretty happy about this particularly bold statement, and think it’s a move in the right direction. But I’m thinking that this will get caught up somewhere, and we won’t see a hybrid VW for years.
Could this decision possibly be an attempt to cater to the now hybrid hungry American consumer, and a sign of VW’s newfound understanding for the American market in general? Or is this due to increasingly stringent U.S. emissions standards? I fear it may be the latter, but I’m holding out hope.
But will this be enough for VW to see significantly increased sales? The only really successful hybrid is the Toyota Prius, and I think most folks would say that it has more to do with the car’s design than anything. As Honda can probably tell you (after the failed Insight and Accord hybrids), just slapping a hybrid logo on a car isn’t enough. A hybrid has to be…well, a hybrid…of distinct design and power. People don’t want to crawl down the highway. And at the risk of over generalizing, I think a good chunk of people want to be seen driving their hybrid more than they want to do something for the environment.
So will VW have that killer looking design that screams “I’m a hybrid!!!“? Only time will tell…I just hope they don’t think it’s the UP! concept.
A Greener VW on the Horizon
September 24, 2007 – 3:03 pm by Matt Radel
If they want to put hybrids in the entire range, VW is going to have to get the cost down significantly. Right now hybrids only make much economic sense if the driver is racking up a lot of miles. Other than that, they’re nothing but status symbols.
I’m sure VW could come out with sporty hybrids. Even the Honda Accord hybrid had more HP than their V6 version, which wasn’t exactly a slouch.
Hmmm. Hybrids?
I think it’d be a good idea. I don’t see them transforming the entire line to a hybrid system. I would like to see VW transform a few models to hybrid. Mainly the Jetta Sedan and Wagon, and 4-Door Rabbits, but instead of using the 2.5L engine, use a low powered (85HP to 115HP) Diesel engine.
Just read this article on AJC and see how a power company modified a Prius to get 75 to 90 MPG.
I figure, if VW takes the same battery technology, and can execute just one Hybrid car that delivers higher MPG over the Prius, and can market it right, it’ll be successful and it’ll pull VW in to the Hybrid market, which would be great.
Now, if VW can do that to a mini-van, and give a hybrid mini-van better MPG over the competition’s best vans, it too can do well.
Just more of my 2-Cents.