Alternative fuel means of propulsion are the norm at the North American International Auto Show this year in Detroit, and VW had a few options on display.
First up is the Touareg Hybrid, the company’s first, with a 3.0 liter supercharged V6 paired to an electric motor, offering a combined 380hp, 0 – 60 times of 6.2 seconds (not bad for a 5,000lb SUV), and up to 27mpg — if you don’t dip too deep in the throttle. Keep things light, and under 30mph, and you can drive it as a purely EV car so long as there’s charge.
Also on display is the Golf Blue-e-motion. This is currently built on the Golf Mk VI platform but, by the time it is released in 2013, will be applied to the upcoming Mk VII platform. It’s said to offer a realistic 80 miles of range and, hasn’t made too many sacrifices in the cargo compartment.
The Golf Blue-e-motion concept is powered by an electric motor rated at 115 horsepower and 200 pound-feet of torque. The electricity for driving the motor is stored in a lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 26.5 kilowatt-hours. A driving range of up to 94 miles can be realized in the Golf blue-e-motion; the specific range depending on driving style and factors such as use of the air conditioning and heating system.
However, before the first Volkswagen electric vehicles hit showrooms in 2013, several new hybrid models will be launched. In parallel with the electric vehicle offensive, Volkswagen is accelerating the introduction of new hybrid models as well. The new Touareg Hybrid has already been revealed and in 2012 a hybrid version of the Jetta will debut, then in 2013 the Golf Hybrid and Passat Hybrid will launch.
