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

3.8 litres per 100km is 75 mpg US, or about 90 mpg UK.

http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/ecotech/ecot.htm

3.7854118 Litres in one US gallon
100 Km is 62.1371192 US miles

So 61.9 mpg sounds about right to me.

R2-E2, 2G Prius.
Highway/City/Husband/Wife MPG: 56.5, as of 12/2005, 26K miles

Jac Nasser, Ford President: "We are planning to launch a hybrid version of
this car [P2000] within this year [1998]. We will also make FCEV available in
2004."

Sorry, ElectricTroy and EricGo - my mistake!

60mpg US is the correct value (75mpg UK).

http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/ecotech/ecot.htm

Well, if this happens, I'll be trading in my 45mpg Beetle for a 60mpg Beetle Hybrid!

troy

Now if they could cut some of the gut out of the Golf/Polo/Jetta it would save even more...those things are soo dang heavy.

Hidden Views Photography

I did some research. VW *does* have the technology to meet California's stringent LEV standard (ditto Ford & Mercedes), both now and in 2007. The problem is that California does *not* have ultra-low sulfur diesel. Some stations do, but most of the stations are still carrying the 500 ppm diesel, that would clog the stage 3 anti-NOx catalyst.

So, the problem is not Volkswagen. They have the technology & could build a LEV-qualified diesel right now. The problem is California law. They have not yet switched to ultra-low-sulfur diesel.... which does not become mandatory until 2006.



Once the ULSD is in place, VW, Ford, and Mercedes can install the Stage 3 anti-NOx catalyst, and diesel cars will be traveling California highways in 2007.

troy

Current CARB diesel is 140 ppm, while the rest of the US not following CARB is 500 ppm. In June 2006 CARB and EPA will require 15 ppm for on-road vehicles; while CARB will also require the same for off-road.

Sweden regulates diesel sulfur to < 10 ppm, while the rest of Europe has gone to 50 ppm in 2005. Current Nox emmissions in Europe using 50 ppm sulfur diesel do not come close to meeting CARB requirements.

I am not familiar with the specific after treatments that VW has in mind, but one reference(1) reports that retro-fitting of a particulate filter costs $4K - 8K -- and that is for the HC and soot, not the NOx.

I agree with xcel here. Between Nox requirements and added cost, I wouldn't hold my breath (pun intended) for diesel in CARB compliant states, even at the dirtiest level allowed. I would also point out that since Europe does not have anywhere near as stringent pollution controls as the US (and will not as far out as their roadmap goes), the diesel manufacturer's economies of scale and motivation to pursue pollution control technologies is limited.

(1) http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/servicer.../chapter3.html
http://ecdiesel.com/faq/index.asp

R2-E2, 2G Prius.
Highway/City/Husband/Wife MPG: 56.5, as of 12/2005, 26K miles

Jac Nasser, Ford President: "We are planning to launch a hybrid version of
this car [P2000] within this year [1998]. We will also make FCEV available in
2004."

That's because Volkswagen-Germany does NOT use the Stage 3 anti-NOx Catalyst. Naturally NOx will be high in Europe, when the catalysts are not in place. This is obvious.


Nevertheless, the catalyst *does* exist, and will be used in California & United States when ultralow-sulfur diesel arrives.

troy

I've been waiting a long time to see a hybrid Beetle... I clipped this from the newspaper when I was in highschool

2001 Prius Photos       2005 Prius Photos
1992 Mitsubishi Delica Diesel-WVO Hybrid Photos