VW Set To Release Diesel Hybrid

SUVs_SUCK writes "It's official — Volkswagen is unveiling a hybrid to challenge the mighty Toyota Prius. And not just any hybrid, but a diesel-electric hybrid it says will deliver 69.9 mpg. Auto Express says the Golf hybrid will be offered for sale in Europe by the end of next year. No word yet on when we might see it in the US."

Why Hybrid?

[iainl]

The current 1.9 TDI BlueMotion S does 62.8 mpg anyway, if we're talking Proper Gallons instead of the US ones. Which I'd expect a German company to be doing.

All the nasty, difficult to dispose of and full of toxic chemical batteries aren't improving that value by a hell of a lot, then.

Re:Great news!

[ink]

:-) Soooo true. My '03 Golf TDI has saved a LOT of fuel by saying the night at the dealer for its infamous electrical "issues". I still love it though.

Re:Why Hybrid?

[peacefinder]

Why Hybrid? Regenerative braking. Since it's a tad difficult to convert recovered braking energy into diesel fuel, some other energy storage device is needed.

Re:Great news!

[bhtooefr]

What year was yours?

Rule #1 of buying a VW is to take rule #1 of using a Microsoft OS (wait until the first service pack has come out,) and replace "first service pack" with "second model year." ;)