British mag tries out the VW Golf Twin-Drive, 94.1 mpg (U.S.)!
Volkswagen recently built twenty prototype diesel plug-in hybrid Golf prototypes for a field test of the technology. AutoExpress magazine in the UK recently had an opportunity to try out the so-called Twin-Drive Golf. The Twin-Drive combines a 1.5L diesel with electric drive and lithium ion batteries with plug-in capability. A pair of wheel motors turn the back wheels providing all wheel drive capability while a third motor and generator are combined with the diesel engine at the front axle. With a very light foot on the go pedal, the Twin-Drive can go to 31 mph on electricity alone. It can reportedly go 30 miles on a charge of its Sanyo battery pack. The plug-in hybrid hardware adds 550 lb of mass to the Golf but it yields up to 94.1 mpg (U.S.), according to VW. AutoExpress says the even distribution of the new mass keeps things balanced but the car does feel heavier than a standard Golf. It's unlikely we'll see a production VW with this configuration anytime soon though. The cost would simply be prohibitive.
[Source: AutoExpress]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
paulwesterberg 11:48AM (10/21/2008)
Well at least vw has a back up plan in case their "environmentally friendly" "fuel efficient" 3.0L diesel engines that get a paltry 25mpg in city driving are not as popular as they hope.
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Brn 11:53AM (10/21/2008)
When is ABG going to stop headlining MPG ratings for plug-in vehicles? This is tiring.
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Randy Tucker 12:48PM (10/21/2008)
Hi Sam,
My name is Randy Tucker and I'm a partner in Fuel Efficiency Centers, LLC. We have a product, our Fuel Efficiency Adviser, we'd like for you to test at no charge to you that can increase your fuel economy by up to 33%. It provides real time feedback to measure those results and you'll be amazed how it helps to train your foot while driving. Let me know if you're interested, we'd love to let you have that opportunity. Thanks
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astxe 6:22AM (11/28/2008)
ha!=? so how!?
i am an engineer ...
;)
gsolman6 1:23PM (10/21/2008)
Cost Prohibitive?
Does it cost more than a $40k Chevy Volt which will get a nice big rebate to bring it down into the low 30s?
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keith 1:22PM (10/21/2008)
Is the third motor directly coupled to engine or is it after transmission? If it is before transmission then does it also work as starter? This is a very interesting concept. I want to know more details.
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Matt 3:49PM (10/21/2008)
Excellent use of the original Apple II font on the drivetrain info screen... Can we get a designer on the software team folks!
Go VW!
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philmcneal 8:40PM (10/21/2008)
um converted prius can do over 100 mpg... and its not a DIESEL GASP!!!!!!
i expected way better numbers from VW since they claim their diesel engine has a direct mechanical linkage to the wheels at higher speeds, rivaling Toyota HSD......
all that talk and you don't even have triple digits to show for it.. at least i know who's serious about hybrid talks.
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Carlos Ferreira 7:30AM (10/25/2008)
It's has good MPG values alright, but it all sounds a bit gimmicky (why 4WD), and does not suppose it will go into production soon enough. It's impressive the kind of head start Toyota and Honds got, they really stole a march on the opposition.
In the mid 1990's, VW did the same with the TDI engines, which bought then a couple of years' tech advance. But the europeans (and the japanese) caught up with them really fast, and the whole investment in the PD technology to avoid paying Bosch royalties for the Common Rail technology was, in retrospect, an error. The lead Toyota and Honds got with the hybrids is lasting much longer, but I'm wondering if they're making the most out of it...
http://www.greencarvalue.blogspot.com
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