Since its inception into the commercial scheme of things in 1974, Volkswagen Golf hatchback has been the German auto maker’s best-selling model and the world’s third best selling model (with 25 million units built just from 2007). With the green paradigm shift recently affecting the automotive sector, Volkswagen has since looked to develop Golf Variant Twin Drive plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, circa 2008. And now in the present scenario, the company has unveiled their updated version of a fuel efficient Golf Twin Drive prototype.
If touted specifications could aptly determine the performance of an automobile, this vehicle would seriously be a top contender as one of the most efficient cars on the road. According to the company, the car sports a direct-injected 1.4-liter gasoline engine in conjunction with a 85kW (114 hp) output electric motor. The combined output can romp up to 161 hp, and deliver a whopping range of 559 miles. The electric-only range is also sufficient at 35 miles.
The vehicle will also feature a single speed transmission along with an electronically activated clutch. The battery system is going through a testing phase, with the automaker to opt for either a 13.2-kWh (with nickel cobalt aluminum dioxide cathode) or an 11.2-kWh lithium-ion battery pack (with nickel manganese cobalt cathode) from companies GAIA and SB LiMotive respectively.
Coming to the speed factor, the combined engine top speed stands out at 106 mph, with acceleration from 0 – 60 in fewer than 12 seconds. But the top speed can dip to 75 mph, at the all-electric mode. VW had already estimated a fuel consumption of 2.1 liters/100 km (equal to112 mpg in the US), which is equivalent to a low emission of 49 g/km Carbon Dioxide.
Via: AutoBlogGreen
