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Drive Report Already gone Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid

Attack on the Toyota Prius: The Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid presented at the Detroit Motor Show a full hybrids. "Automobile industry" could drive a green Jetta already. Much at the beginning: In terms of performance he put the Prius in the pocket. (Volkswagen)

With a full hybrid Volkswagen engages directly to the Toyota Prius. The Jetta is superior in some respects.

It is the Toyota Prius for 15 years, now the first Volkswagen Hybrid comes in the middle class. The Germans, as the policy says, "sleepy" once everything? In fact this is the first of a Jetta hybrid car for the U.S. market, which is characterized by a known downright irrational defensiveness compared to diesel.

While there is a hard and loyal core of diesel customers - is characterized by the way by a considerably higher average income, a significantly lower age and a significantly lower proportion of women. But this brings no satisfactory numbers - and the research of Volkswagen has revealed that Prius customers have not even considered the Jetta TDI as an alternative.

Basis: The European Jetta

So there was no choice but to take it as a great start - and with typical thoroughness. To the Wolfsburg chose the Jetta in the European version, which is used in the United States usually only as a basis of 147 kW/200 hp top model GLI. The other Jetta models have a simpler rear suspension and a simpler electronic architecture. Under the body of the Jetta Hybrid puts the new 1.4-liter TSI engine series EA211, in its highest stage of development with 110 kW/150 hp. Coupled to it is a bought-in from ZF Sachs electric motor that produces up to 20 kW/27 hp.

Tangy than the Prius

Maximum system output is 125 kW/170 hp torque, available at 5,000 r / min. The maximum torque is 250 Nm, which is disappointing at first glance, more torque can not put away the dry seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox DQ200. For this, the 250 Nm lie if necessary even at 1,000 r / min on.

The combination of a turbo gasoline engine with a hybrid module is a novelty in this class. And the performance figures are more than competitive: The sprint from 0 to 100 km / h takes 8.6 seconds, the peak is a governed 207 km / h - without the artificial limiter reportedly had even 222 km / h possible. This compares with a cycle consumption of 4.2 liters per 100 kilometers - equivalent to just under 95 grams of CO2 per kilometer. For comparison, the Toyota Prius: governed top 180 km / h, 10.4 seconds from 0 to 100 km / h, 4.0 liters per 100 kilometers and 92 g / km CO2 - marginally better fuel consumption here face significantly poorer performance.



Pure electric driving
The use of hybrid technology is at speeding driving barely noticeable, so smoothly and harmoniously designed the concept. With the sharp acceleration performance boost is through the electric motor but clearly felt, on the other, the Nitro decoupled when the driver takes his foot off the gas - range up to 135 km / h The Jetta Hybrid is thus sportier and much more "normal" than other hybrids.

But he has also the other extreme, namely the pure electric mode. Up to two kilometers can be covered - this allows the Jetta noticeable acceleration and speeds up to 70 km / h The Prius is not to remember the tough Atkinson gasoline logs at least 50 km / h back audibly. The Jetta can swim short in city traffic, the Prius only block.

Caveat: the recuperation

Unconvincing but the recuperation brake. It sets an artificially and with a slight jerk. Ford has released the Fusion / Mondeo hybrid better. Other disadvantages of the Jetta Hybrid is one of the additional weight of 160 kilograms for driving and Sanyo batteries of from 510 to 374 liters of luggage space smaller -. Too soft and the interpretation of the equipped with low rolling resistance tires chassis

From 2013 on the domestic market

In its home market of built in Mexico Jetta Hybrid is available from April 2013, and he then takes on the role of the top model in the Jetta program. Given his qualities served the Jetta Hybrid, both of this series end up unloved and the drive concept used for the glory. Confirmed a direct comparison with the Toyota Prius ride: Germany has not not only caught up, but set to overtake.

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