Plug-in hybrid VW Golf employs Audi tech

VOLKSWAGEN will reportedly put a plug-in hybrid version of its seventh-generation Golf small car into production next year, according to British publication Autocar.

Called Twin Drive, the petrol-electric Golf is said to use an identical drivetrain to the Audi A3 e-tron that was revealed last week ahead of its Geneva motor show debut on March 5.

Audi claims the A3 e-tron will consume just 1.5 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres and emit 35 grams of CO2 per kilometre yet accelerate from 0-100km/h in a sprightly 7.6 seconds.

The similar-sized Golf is expected to roughly match these figures.

Volkswagen Group has been busy readying frugal, electrified transport for production, with the recent announcement of the all-electric e-Golf and the futuristic XL1 two-seater – which consumes just 0.9L/100km of fuel and emits 21g/gm of CO2 – in addition to the A3 e-tron.

Autocar also reported that a version of the Up city car using the XL1’s diesel-electric drivetrain is also under development, with expected fuel consumption of about 1.0L/100km.

The plug-in A3 combines a 110kW 1.4-litre turbo-petrol engine and a 75kW electric motor, driving the front wheels via a development of Audi’s six-speed S tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission.

With a combined peak of 150kW and 350Nm, the A3 e-tron develops slightly more power than the current Golf GTI and a 20Nm more torque than the flagship Golf R.

The drivetrain can run in electric-only mode for up to 50km, can be driven using only the internal combustion engine, or use a combination of both for extra performance without compromising efficiency.

A coasting mode can deactivate both engine and motor to reduce engine and regenerative braking effects to maintain momentum.

Volkswagen produced 20 prototypes of the Golf Twin Drive, based on the current sixth-generation model, for German field trials in 2008.