VW working on Chevy Volt rival with 2011 Golf TwinDrive

As we write this Volkswagen is testing a fleet of 20 plug-in hybrid Golf’s in Berlin preparing for a market launch by late 2010 as a 2011 model year - and you thought the Chevrolet Volt was going to be the only plug-in hybrid coming to the market in 2010.

The test fleet is powered by a 2.0L turbodiesel engine producing a total of 122-hp, 82 of which comes from the electric motor. However, the production version is expected to drop to a 1.4L direct-injection 4-cylinder gasoline engine that produces a total of 100-hp.

A 350 pound lithium-ion battery is provided by Sanyo that allows for...
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budfrogS4 - 9/30/2008 5:05:59 PM

+1 Boost

They need to keep it a TDI.

Isn't using the engine to power both the wheels and an electric motor less efficient than just powering one or the other? Seems like in addition of weight, there'd be extra powertrain losses.

monkeyrun - 9/30/2008 5:20:20 PM

-1 Boost

Bring this to the US. fast.

91z4me - 9/30/2008 6:13:33 PM

-1 Boost

Amen, the more advanced hybrid type cars on the road the better. Between the Volt, Insight, and this I am getting pretty excited to see what the future holds.

carguy68 - 9/30/2008 5:34:32 PM

-1 Boost

i'll buy this better than the volt

91z4me - 9/30/2008 6:12:24 PM

+3 Boost

How do you buy something better?

Bmw8ter - 9/30/2008 7:03:39 PM

+1 Boost

Maybe he meant BEFORE....nevertheless, it was funny.

Type707 - 9/30/2008 7:26:17 PM

+1 Boost

This is going to be interesting.

Matthew1 - 10/1/2008 2:16:45 AM

+1 Boost

Yes, but that is not what the car will look like. It won't be launched until 2011.

The car in the picture has already been superceeded.

truckman - 10/1/2008 4:38:27 AM

+1 Boost

Its hard to be impressede when there is so much better tech out there, like Johnathan Goodwins Hummer that gets 60mpg and his big ford Lincon that gets 100 mpg and beats a Lamborgini in a race! Did I mention that he only has grade eight education! And my favorite is the electrical engeneering company PML! They make these cars look like model T's! I think the first auto company to make some major pay cuts to there CEO's and put that money into the engeneers like Johnathan Goodwin with some brains will be the first company that will be the undisputed green hot rod that will out perform gas vehicles and be powered for much less. Imagine what kind of vehicle Johnathan would produce if he had a major auto company financing him!

lambo98 - 10/2/2008 5:16:51 AM

+2 Boost

chevy vs vw i like them both but i think i would prefer the volt