VW Drops Diesel Electric Concept… For Now

Despite the strong showing of the VW Golf diesel hybrid at the 2008 Geneva Auto Show, the company is now saying that the concept will stay just that for right now. The German automaker said in an in-depth preview of the Golf VI that was published by Auto, Motor und Sport, that the production costs of the vehicle were simply too high to bring to market at this time. The company says that the Golf hybrid will happen, but it will not be a diesel.

The revised gasoline-electric concept will reportedly include the 1.4 TSI engine - a smaller powerhouse than what had originally appeared in the concept - and will incorporate an optional start-stop system as well as a twist-beam rear axle to reduce the vehicle's cost. The Golf VI was never intended for North American distribution, and instead will sell vehicles intended to replace the Rabbit and Passat vehicle programs in North America.

While the diesel-electric hybrid concept may be in cold storage, VW introduced the Tiguan BlueTDI diesel - which was also shown at the Geneva show - to the US market yesterday. The Tiguan BlueTDI offers ultra-low emissions from a 2.0L, 140-hp engine. The modified diesel drivetrain incorporates a NOx trap and a dual EGR, allowing the vehicle to emit no more than 0.05g of NOx per mile, and meet the Bin5/LEV2 standard. The new Tiguan BlueTDI is comparable in emissions performance to the Touareg BlueTDI SUV, which VW introduced at last year's Geneva show and meets the Tier 2 Bin5 emission standards.

Source: TTAC
Motor Authority