VW kills Golf TDI Hybrid production plans

You would think that with the capability of averaging a fuel-economy of 69mpg, Volkswagen would be in a rush to get the production version of the Golf TDI Hybrid concept on the road as soon as possible. But environmentalist and green crazy people everywhere about to be disappointed.

At the Geneva Motor Show, Volkswagen promised that the car wouldn’t just stay a concept, however, according to the March issue of Auto Motor und Sport, Volkswagen has killed plans of developing a production version. Why? Well like with any automakers these days, the...
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EL34 - 4/24/2008 9:54:23 AM

+1 Boost

Actually VW are looking into something a bit more hightech than a old school hybrid :-)

S4cabriofoxone - 4/24/2008 10:26:40 AM

+8 Boost

So they're killing all of the useful products but giving us things like the Routan, Phaeton and Passat CC?

budfrogS4 - 4/24/2008 12:51:39 PM

+1 Boost

I think it's all a marketing ploy. If they were to release a diesel hybrid in the US they'd be skipping a step and another opportunity to boost sales. I predict that they'll release diesel varients first (which already gets 60 mpg in the Jetta) and hold off on the diesel hybrids until sales start to stagnate.

budfrogS4 - 4/24/2008 12:52:12 PM

+1 Boost

I agree with your statement tho. It's quite depressing.

Audiphile - 4/25/2008 9:08:22 AM

+2 Boost

Amen, S4. My sentiments exactly.

By the way, S4, have you heard anything recently (either official or semi-official) about the B8 Audi S4? Is it going to be introduced in 2009 or 2010? Will it have a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 or a supercharged one?

S4cabriofoxone - 4/25/2008 10:42:34 AM

+1 Boost

I'm hoping for a 2009 release, but I'm guessing it will be a '10. And according to that article, the S4 will be supercharged. Should be interesting!

And budfrog... I hope you're right.

1970toyotamarc - 4/24/2008 11:48:35 AM

0 Boost

So much for the Prius killer. Too expensive to combine a diesel with a hybrid engine, hmmmm... I seem to recall a few people making that point not to long ago, I wonder who it was.....

BTW, Autospies, you are about three days late on this one. You're slipping.

1970toyotamarc - 4/24/2008 11:55:22 AM

+1 Boost

Still, it is always disappointing to see a mfr give up on a green vehicle. They will regret this decision when 2015 rolls around and they need it to meet 36mpg. Of course by then hybrids and cleaner diesels will be so ubiquitous that the prices will be reasonable, and maybe VW can take a stab at it again.

Rupert - 4/24/2008 1:49:23 PM

+2 Boost

Damn. That would have been really cool.

raikkonen - 4/24/2008 2:39:01 PM

+3 Boost

This shows a big difference in promising something and actually delivering.

You can knock Toyota and their hybrids all you want, but I commend them for actually taking that first step. The Prius (and other hybrids) are not the be-all, end-all solution but it's a great step in the right direction.

Looks like some other manufacturers (ahem, VW) have overreached their first step.

t_bone - 4/24/2008 8:18:32 PM

+3 Boost

GREAT TIMING once again, VW management.