Do you think VW will bring one to the market? I know they have their diesel cars that get high mpg, but what about a vw hybrid.

Dubious ... they seem to be stuck in their niche.

It's going to take someone like Honda using their newly found 'super' diesel technology and wanting to play catchup with Toyota's Hybrid success. (not that Honda is not doing just fine as is ... but the Prius is stil the prima donna of hybrids IMHO) Besides ... when was the last time you've seen great automotive ideas coming out of Detroit or Europe? (not that I wouldn't like to be surprised by someone other than Toyota or Honda!)

--RichC --- "My Desultory Blog" & CinciTDI Club

We have the VW Lupo 3l, which is a 4 seater everyday car managing 78 mpg (US) on the combined cycle (their 1L concept also manages >230 mpg). We had the first plug-in hybrid (the Audi Duo) many years ago (nobody wanted it!). The French lead the world in pure electric vehicles (Peugeot, Citroen and Renault all offering such vehicles). Millions of miles are traveled every year in Germany on straight vegetable oil, and 5% of all French diesel is home grown biodiesel. Stuff is certainly happening in Europe!

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

You are so right ... let me restate: When was the last time you've seen the 'innovative' cars from Europe making it to the USA.


I love my VW TDI ... but am green with envy over the variety of impressive diesels in Europe. Our de-tuned handful of cars (primarily because of our dirty fuel and EPA differences in what we measure as pollutants) are down to about what I can count on one hand. Of those models, the ones that would really excite many of us are not imported. (ie. you Lupo or in my case a Euro-tuned 4 motion Passat Wagon with a 6 speed)

See what I mean ... Reuters News Article

My apology. I was wrong. I am a fan of many European cars. Love the way they drive, handle and look .... for the most part. Some of the glitches keep them from running as maintenance free as their Japanese countparts

--RichC --- "My Desultory Blog" & CinciTDI Club

What happened to my message?

I already answered this question, but now it's gone.

:-(

Summarizing: Volkswagen doesn't support the idea of hybrids. VW believes that hybrids only increase City MPG, not the highway mpg, and therefore see no reason to invest the money.

They'd rather increase mpg through diesel technology (like the 88mpg Lupo.... and in 2006, the 130 mpg Lupo II).

troy

Actually that's mostly right, VW have for years been opposed to hybrids because they wanted to further the diesel cause. They also recently tried a diesel hybrid and it got worse highway mileage than the standard diesel.

But VW have researched some more, their designs have improved and the bosses are changing their minds!

There was a recent statement (sorry, can't find the link) that a 75mpg VW Golf TDi hybrid will be appearing on the market either 2006 or 2007 (not sure now). It has been shown in the recent challenge bibendum and looked like a really finished, factory ready product.

Remember VW were the first to market a diesel plug-in hybrid (the Audi Duo), so it's not like they don't have the tech, they've only been waiting for a commercial case to appear (it wasn't there when they released the Audi Duo about 10 years ago and it completely flopped!).

But we're more likely to get it in Europe than you in the States!

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

Interesting this thread is drifting in the direction it is ... just did a write-up on VW from a business aspect a blog post.

--RichC --- "My Desultory Blog" & CinciTDI Club

I wouldn't mind seeing the Lupo 3L/88MPG car converted to a honda-style hybrid:

- 88mpg highway/70 city

- but with electric assist, can go 0-60 in only ~10 seconds (instead of the current 14.5)

troy