Volkswagen has released new official pictures of its plug-in electric version of the Golf.
Called the Golf blue-e-motion, it previews the zero emission driveline and lithium-ion battery technology VW intends to place in a production version of the new car that its chairman, Martin Winterkorn, says will go on sale in Germany and other key markets, including the UK, in 2013.
See the pics of the electric VW Golf
Mounted up front in the space normally taken up by the Golf’s petrol or diesel engines is an 115bhp electric motor. It drives the front wheels through a new single gear gearbox developed by Volkswagen called the MQ210.
Electric power for the motor is provided by a lithium-ion battery pack mounted within the middle tunnel of the floorpan, under the rear seat and in the floor of the boot. With a capacity of 26.5kWh it is claimed to provide a nominal range of 93miles.
In a process similar to that introduced on the new Touareg hybrid, the Golf blue-e-motion uses a separate clutch that automatically decouples its electric motor on a trailing throttle to provide what Volkswagen describes as “sailing effect” with little mechanical drag.
At 1545kg, the Golf blue-e-motion weighs 305kg more than the existing Golf 1.6 TDI BlueMotion. However, Volkswagen says it hits 62mph from standstill in 11.8sec and reaches a top speed that, in the interests of retaining battery charge, is limited to 87mph.
Volkswagen says it intends producing a fleet of up to 500 prototype versions of the Golf blue-e-motion for internal testing before the production version arrives in 2013.
In a parallel program to its new electric car offensive, Volkswagen is also working on a new range of hybrid models. Initiated with the new Touareg hybrid, it will be widened to include a Jetta hybrid in 2012 as well as a Golf hybrid and Passat hybrid in 2013, according to Winterkorn.
Join the debate
Add your comment
Re: Electric VW Golf: new pics
And they will!
Like the Prius? No thanks!
I must admit, during the week and even most weekends I don't go far (10 - 20 miles max) so an efficient car would be a godsend. However, I don't believe electric is the way forward.
To make it feasible, all carparks would have to have dedicated charging bays, which would cost money to install....so who pays for them? We do!
These stations would be open to vandalism, much the same as any public things are. Not to mention, if you leave your car plugged into one overnight, what you might actually come back to!
So, charging stations would need to me sheltered, or only in enclosed, monitored car parks....more cost!
It won't work......
Re: Electric VW Golf: new pics
Yes I take your point. However, I have been interested in an electric car for some time (and yes, you're right, electric cars have been for some time 'just around the corner'). So I have been monitoring my mileage to see if it's feasible. I've been astonished at how low my daily/weekly mileage really is. Some days it's been just 10 miles. It's true that there have been some excursions to the coast of 150+ miles, but I assume that there would be some way for me to re-charge when I get there (to get back home!). If on-street charging is rolled out across the country (including beach-front parking bays) then a limit of around 100 miles on a charge will be no problem at all for me - and, I suspect, the vast majority of car owners.
Re: Electric VW Golf: new pics
Is it me, or have electric cars been 3 years away from sale for the last 20 years? I'm assuming by the end of this year that major manufacturers will be selling these cars from 2014....
Its correct that most people do less than 100 miles a day on a commute, but although these cars will be sold (eventually...) as a great congestion charge dodge actually 85% of the UK population doesn't live in London! I would prefer to not have to purchase an electric car and a petrol one for long journeys and believe it or not those journeys hardly ever involve the capital...