Flat-out Fast: Jetta Hybrid sets speed record at Bonneville Salt Flats

When you think “hybrid,” you probably don’t think “land speed record.” It’s a good thing no one ever told us that, because a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid recorded the fastest speed ever achieved by a hybrid car on the famed Bonneville Salt Flats reaching 185.394 mph (298.363kph).

Since 1914, the Bonneville Salt Flats have been a place where everything that rolls—from hot rods to motorcycles to trucks and more—tries to roll as fast as possible. The Jetta Hybrid raced across the flats—or, as they say in Bonneville, “shot the salts”—near Wendover, Nevada as part of Southern California Timing Association's (SCTA) annual Speed Week. Motor Trend Associate Road Test Editor Carlos Lago was behind the wheel for the record runs.

The Jetta Hybrid that Lago drove was specially modified to meet SCTA regulations. To add the kind of horsepower needed to reach more than 185 mph, the powertrain was modified by Volkswagen R&D in Wolfsburg, Germany. And since the Jetta Hybrid is designed to run on asphalt instead of salt, various safety mods were handled by A-Salt Racing and Advanced Product Engineering in Camarillo, California.

The production version of the all-new 2013 Jetta Hybrid will be available in the States later this year. It marries a 150-horsepower, 1.4-liter turbocharged, direct-injection four-cylinder TSI® gasoline engine with a seven-speed DSG® dual-clutch automatic transmission and an electric motor that adds an extra 27 horsepower. Salt not included, but spice comes standard.

Source: http://blogs.vw.com/dasblog/2012/08/17/flat-out-fast-jetta-hybrid-sets-speed-record-bonneville-salt-flats/

Family values: Volkswagen Passat named top family car

At Volkswagen, we’re all about family. Sure, our cars are fun to drive, but safety for all is a top priority for us, especially when it comes to our families, the most precious cargo of all. That’s why we were so flattered when Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com announced its picks for the 10 Best Family Cars of 2012—with our very own 2012 Volkswagen Passat taking the number one spot.

Vehicles were selected on a number of criteria, including safety (for which the Passat has already won an award), comfort (we’re not bragging, but the Passat does offer class-leading rear-seat legroom and automatic dual-zone climate control), and child-friendliness (did we mention that we love kids?).

Another important criterion is Total Cost of Ownership, which looks at a variety of factors like expected fuel costs. With a TDI Clean Diesel option that gets an estimated 43 MPG and can go up to 795 miles before refueling, the Passat got top marks in this category. With fuel prices on the rise, families are looking for value in a vehicle. And speaking of value, Passat models start at only $19,995. That’s a lower starting price than previous models, even though the 2012 model is roomier than its predecessors.

A factor that certainly didn’t hurt the 2012 Passat in the rankings is that it’s built at our LEED Platinum manufacturing facility in Chattanooga, Tennessee. In addition to being one of the world’s most advanced and energy-efficient assembly plants, the facility also created more than 12,500 new jobs in the Chattanooga area, a huge boon to American families.

We’re always happy to receive awards, especially from an authority as revered as Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com, but we’re even happier when you bring a Passat home to meet your family. For more information please visit the press release.

Source: http://blogs.vw.com/passat/2012/02/29/family-values-volkswagen-passat-named-top-family-car/

Introducing the Jetta Hybrid: One part eco-friendly, one part high-tech, all parts awesome

The Volkswagen Jetta made a New Year’s resolution: to be even more fuel-efficient. And only nine days into 2012, it’s made good on that promise. The Jetta Hybrid was revealed at the North American International Auto Show today, and thanks to its all-new technology, it’s the most fuel-efficient Jetta in our lineup.

What’s New

The all-new Jetta Hybrid is powered by a high-tech turbocharged gasoline engine that is paired with a zero-emissions electric motor. While this marriage of smart and sensible enables impressive driving performance with a class-leading 0-60 mph time of less than 9.0 seconds, this new Jetta is also the world’s first hybrid to use a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. What does that mean to you? It means the Jetta can deliver an estimated combined fuel economy figure of 45 mpg with no sacrifice in power. The fuel efficiency is a full 20 percent higher, and in city traffic, it climbs to a little over 30 percent.

The Jetta Hybrid can also be driven in pure electric mode at speeds of up to 44 mph and for up to 1.2 miles, depending on operating conditions. And for the first time in the U.S. market, we’re using our acclaimed 1.4-liter turbocharged gasoline power plant, which weighs in at a mere 216 pounds. The slimmed-down four-cylinder engine produces 150 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque from just 1400 rpm. Now you can have a lead foot and still be environmentally friendly.

What’s Cool

The Jetta has always had a certain cool factor, but the Jetta Hybrid turns it up a few notches. It features a new take on regenerative braking: its clutch decouples the gasoline engine from the drivetrain when in pure electric drive or coasting modes to release more kinetic energy back into the battery. Because “decouples” is such a cool word, we’ll use it to describe another feature: when you step off the accelerator pedal at speeds of up to 84 mph, the TSI® engine shuts down and decouples from the drivetrain to eliminate driveline drag and the effects of the engine’s torque, resulting in even greater fuel efficiency. Want info on how fuel-efficient the Jetta Hybrid is? Get it with one glance at its all-new ePower meter. It also boasts a state-of-the-art lithium-ion battery, and its Autobahn-proven technology makes it the fastest compact hybrid in its class. Now that’s cool.

Why It Matters

Think Blue is Volkswagen’s commitment to achieving sustainable mobility through technology and cars that don’t compromise performance. With its impressive fuel efficiency, turbocharged speed, innovative technology and standard safety equipment like Electronic Stability Control, anti-lock brakes and six airbags, the Jetta Hybrid embodies the Think Blue spirit of mobility that’s not only environmentally friendly, but fun.

For more information on the new Jetta Hybrid, check out our press release. The Jetta Hybrid launches in North America in late 2012, but you can see it now at the Detroit Auto Show.

Source: http://blogs.vw.com/jetta/2012/01/09/introducing-jetta-hybrid-part-eco-friendly-part-high-tech-parts-awesome/