German customers of Volkswagen vehicles can already pre-order the hybrid drive system for the Golf and T-Roc models. The first version that comes to the market brings a total system power of 125 kW (170 hp) and enables frequent driving exclusively on electric drive in everyday conditions, without any need for external charging of the battery via cables or chargers. The German manufacturer thereby expands its offer for customers looking for lower fuel consumption, reduced CO₂ emissions and a high level of comfort.
Charging while driving
The independence of these models from the charging infrastructure is made possible by the recuperation system and the operation of the turbo gasoline engine in combination with the generator, which themselves charge the high-voltage battery while driving. The battery with a capacity of 1.6 kWh (gross), which is common for such hybrids, is installed in the floor at the rear of the vehicle. The powertrain consists of a combination of a 1.5-liter TSI evo2 turbo gasoline engine, two electric motors and a battery. The system achieves a torque of 309 Nm, which, for example, enables the Golf to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.5 seconds.
The advantages of the new hybrid system come to the fore especially in city driving and driving outside the city, where the electric motor responsible for the drive assists the gasoline engine when moving and at lower speeds. Compared to the comparable model Golf 1.5 eTSI of 110 kW, the new hybrid achieves a reduction in consumption and CO₂ emissions of 10 to 15 percent in mixed driving, while in city conditions this saving reaches up to 35 percent, VW announced.
To optimize operation, the vehicle automatically activates one of three operating modes: pure electric drive at lower speeds with the TSI engine switched off, series drive in which the TSI engine works separately to produce energy for the electric motor via a generator, and parallel drive at speeds above approximately 60 km/h where the gasoline engine takes the main role with occasional support from the electric motor.
Drivers can also choose between three driving profiles: Eco, Comfort and Sport. In the Eco profile, the maximum power of the system is limited to 70 percent, and the boost function is disabled in order to reduce energy consumption. The Comfort profile does not limit power and allows the use of boost, while the Sport profile ensures sportier characteristics by switching to series mode earlier so that full power is quickly available.
Expansion of the range of drives
With the introduction of a full hybrid with a power of 125 kW, Volkswagen further expands its offer in the compact and SUV segment, and the plan is to soon add another power level of this technology. This fills the gap between mild hybrids bearing the designation (eTSI) and plug-in hybrid models available under the name “eHybrid” and the sporty Golf GTE. The new models will be marked “Hybrid” to distinguish them from the ones mentioned.
The starting price for the Golf Hybrid in the R-Line equipment package is 41,400 euros, while the T-Roc Style with hybrid drive is available from 44,470 euros (both for the German market).