29.11.2012 VW Jetta Hybrid launches at LA Auto Show

The VW Jetta Hybrid is making its debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show in production form, as it launches on the North American market.

This highly efficient vehicle is powered by a 1.4-litre 150 PS turbocharged petrol engine and a 20 kW electric motor, together with a seven-speed DSG gearbox.

The hybrid improves fuel economy by 20% compared to than an equivalent petrol-powered vehicle (54 mpg), as well as performance, with the benchmark zero to 60 mph sprint taking less than nine seconds.

Like the Touareg Hybrid, the Jetta is a parallel hybrid, which uses a decoupling clutch that can disengage the petrol motor for pure electric drive (or when coasting or braking), disengage the electric motor (for higher speeds or when the battery charge is low), or combine the two units for maximum power.

Provided the battery contains sufficient charge, the Jetta Hybrid is switched to electric drive mode either automatically (at speeds of up to 37 mph) or at the press of a button next to the gear lever (up to 44 mph).

Using electric power alone, the Jetta Hybrid can be driven at speeds of up to 44 mph and over a distance of 1.3 miles, depending on conditions. For maximum performance, both the TSI engine and the electric motor combine, giving peak power of 170 PS.

When the driver releases the accelerator pedal at higher speeds (up to 84 mph) the TSI engine is decoupled, reducing drag torque losses, and maximising fuel efficiency. Under braking, the Jetta Hybrid switches to a battery regeneration mode, which decouples the TSI engine and uses the electric motor as a generator.

This is the first use of the 1.4-litre turbocharged engine in America, and it offers the same power and more torque (250 Nm, 184 lbs ft) than the normally aspirated 2.5-litre engine that is commonly used in the Jetta in the US.

A lithium-ion battery located behind the rear seat bench supplies the energy for the electric motor. The 38.5 kg battery has a nominal voltage of 220 Volts and an energy capacity of 1.1 kWh. Despite the extra weight of the electric components and additional safety modifications to the vehicle’s structure, the Jetta Hybrid weighs only 100 kg more than the non-hybrid Jetta at less than 1,500 kg in total.

Externally, the Jetta Hybrid can be identified by aerodynamic modifications including a new front spoiler, a rear diffuser and a rear spoiler that help to improve the car’s aerodynamic drag by 10%. There are also new headlights with LED running lights, LED rear lights and unique 15-inch alloy wheels with low rolling resistance tyres.

The interior of the Hybrid is very much like that of any other Jetta, although new instruments allow the selection of drive-mode (Ready, Charge, Eco, Boost or TSI), and display energy flows, the battery’s state of charge and an ‘ePower’ meter, which indicates the power provided by the electric motor.

The VW Jetta Hybrid launches in North America now. While there are no current plans to sell this model in the UK, if successful, a European version may be available here in 2013/14.

Volkswagen