Filed under: Diesel, EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Volkswagen
VW adds Twin Drive technology to sixth-gen Golf
Click above for high-res images of the MKVI Golf Twin Drive
Volkswagen still has yet to announce a production hybrid drivetrain of any sort, instead choosing to focus its efforts on clean diesel technology, and with good effect - the new Jetta TDI was named the 2009 Green Car of the Year. Despite the lack of production plans, VeeDub has been testing some interesting hybrid concepts for the last few months, especially the Golf Twin Drive. Up until now, all of the Twin Drive models had been based on the previous fifth-generation Golf, but that has just been rectified as the German automaker has updated its concept with the latest chassis and sheetmetal.
Twenty Golf Twin Drive cars currently exist and are undergoing testing. Independent tests of the Twin Drive indicate that it can achieve over 90 miles per gallon (US). Three electric motors are used, one up front with the 1.5L diesel engine and one for each rear wheel, making this an all-wheel drive car. Despite its excellent efficiency, there is a high monetary cost to pay for this much technology, so don't expect a production version any time soon.
Gallery: MK VI Golf Twin Drive
[Source: World Car Fans]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Lynn McGuire 2:11PM (11/28/2008)
I think that most of the electric car cost is in the batteries, not the motor(s). A very simple 5 kwh NIMH battery should allow the maximum of the savings. Plus I think those two back wheel motors are fairly inexpensive (and small sized).
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Raziel 8:28AM (12/01/2008)
Gut denke ich persönlich, dass dieses zweifellos die Richtung ist, die von VW und ihr folgendes Erzeugung oder Träger genommen werden sollte. Sie ist gerade über Zeitsachen beginnt, für das bessere zu ändern. Ich denke durch Beobachtung der Denkrichtung VW und komme in Entwurf weiter und Innovation während der letzten Jahre zeigt offenbar an, dass sie über ihr Geschäft sehr ernst sind.
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