The information I found is rather sparse, but here it is: "Volkswagen has a new diesel hybrid available for next year, presently tested in the Golf, which will be used in the Beetle and Jetta for a 25% better fuel economy of about 75 mpg highway [U.K]."

"The Golf ECO.Power combines the economic diesel drive of a 1.4-litre, three-cylinder engine of 76 kW output with an electric engine of up to 15 kW. An impressive saving potential for the fuel consumption of the Golf is a result of the combination of these technologies. The Golf ECO.Power, which is equipped with a stop-start function, consumes an average of only 3.8 litres of diesel fuel per 100 kilometres – a sheerly sensational value for a compact class vehicle."



So... they're using a sub-compact-sized engine (60hp) in a mid-sized body (jetta), in order to boost MPG from 45 to over 60. And they're using a Honda-style assist hybrid to give extra "power bursts" as needed.




SOURCES: http://www.evworld.com/view.cfm?sect...le&storyid=845
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=105892
http://www.germancarfans.com/news.cf...kswagen/1.html

troy