In today’s world of high fuel prices and ever tightening emissions and fuel economy standards, two technologies have really moved to the forefront of the automotive industry — hybrids and diesels. Both have their advantages but many have been left wondering why no automaker has ever thought to combine the two. While it looked like Volkswagen might be the first to venture into the segment, it was revealed today that the company’s Golf TDI Hybrid concept will not make it to production.
According to a translation of an article in Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport, VW feels the “forward-looking diesel-hybrid is already a thing of the past.” This seems a little strange to us since the idea has never even been put into production.
The Golf TDI Hybrid concept — according to VW — is capable of just 89g/km of CO2 emissions and returns 69mpg (Imperial) at the pumps thanks to a 220V electric motor and 1.2 liter inline-3 diesel. Drive is delivered via VW’s newest 7-speed DSG transmission.
So while the world must wait a little longer for a diesel hybrid, VW is still panning to release a gasoline hybrid version of the Golf in the coming years.
