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.
04/23, 5:55 PM
posted by:
acura_el2000
hmmm
04/23, 6:15 PM
posted by:
lambosrule25
They should have kept the TDI Hybrid
04/23, 6:30 PM
posted by:
Blakkarr
It can only be a thing of the past if it happens. It didn’t happen.
04/23, 6:48 PM
posted by:
blokejoke
They can even get the diesel’s right in the US let alone a diesel hybrid.
04/23, 6:51 PM
posted by:
autonut
blokejoke, don’t be prejudice they can’t get gasoline engines right either in US.
04/23, 8:16 PM
posted by:
Need4SSpeed
Haha
04/23, 8:16 PM
posted by:
deutschetouring1337
Another bummer and the new S4 will have a suprcharged V6. Go figure.
04/23, 8:53 PM
posted by:
manhertm
^^^^The new S4 will have twin turbos again. I hope you were being sarcastic.
04/23, 9:18 PM
posted by:
frost
I’m kinda let down that VW is the only car company to have really put a thought to this idea, if they improved on it, or other car makers worked on this I’m sure the they’d have the best hybrids out there with the high MPGs
04/23, 10:13 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
I’m confused. Are there issues with diesel start up as would be required in a hybrid powertrain? We’ve all seen the guys with the glow plugs waiting to light up their trucks especially in the cold. I wonder if that’s the obstacle.
04/23, 10:19 PM
posted by:
deutschetouring1337
Nope its going to be a 3.0 litre supercharged V6. Sorry to burst your bubble. Audis focusing on fuel economy but it will be 3900ilbs (great power to weight/ please note sarcasm) and 340Bhp and a magnetic differential.
04/24, 12:09 AM
posted by:
nicetry
deutschetouring1337, do you have any proof? I’m on several audi forums and so far I’ve heard both stories but no proof of either yet, personally I hope and believe it will be the TT engine as Audi is well experienced in the TT department, but so far there has been nothing but speculation so please enlighten me.
04/24, 12:54 AM
posted by:
A4
its not going to be supercharged deutschetouring, youre an idiot
the biturbo is returning
04/24, 1:46 AM
posted by:
carbonsigma
Yea, the biturbo S4 is returning!
04/24, 8:22 AM
posted by:
meekin111
frost, PSA plan to be selling diesel hybrids within 2 years so no, VW are not the first to think of this.
04/24, 9:45 AM
posted by:
RaineMan
Why bother with the diesel?
You can get comparable mileage from a gasoline hybrid and avoid the steeper fuel cost of using diesel.
04/24, 11:06 AM
posted by:
shaver
It would have to sell for $32K. Thats the problem.
04/24, 11:06 AM
posted by:
Z06ified
Wrong again, RaineMan.
Anyway, VW was not the first with a diesel hybrid concept. GM was, with the 2005 Opel Astra diesel hybrid concept. It got 60 MPG.
RaineMan, name one gasoline powered hybrid that gets 60 MPG.
Actually, the very first diesel hybrid powertrain was developed by one of GM’s divisions, Electro-Motive Diesel, in the 1930’s, with the first diesel-eletric locomotives, a design which all new diesel locomotives still use today.
04/24, 11:07 AM
posted by:
shaver
Supercharged V6 in a Audi. Nooooooooooooooooo
04/24, 11:09 AM
posted by:
Z06ified
I don’t know about $32k, but cost is the problem with hybrid diesels. Diesels add about $2k-$3k to the cost of a car, and hybrid technology adds another $3k-$5k. So you’re talking about adding up to $8k in cost for a diesel hybrid powertrain on an economy car. So an $18k VW Golf would cost $26k with a diesel hybrid system. It makes sense if you drive 30k miles or more a year, but less sense if you drive less than that.
04/24, 10:51 PM
posted by:
autonut
The math is wrong. The gasoline engine used in hybrids is usually 5 cycle Atkinson engine, not a regular Otto 4 cycle. Therefore even gasoline engine adds to the cost of hybrid, although I am not sure how much. Diesel generates torque at low rpm and that the benefit of it’s driving dynamics, but electric motor generates oodles of torque as well and they would cancel each other benefit.