Volkswagen prepping a plug-in "Twin Drive" hybrid for 2010
By Paul Miller 
posted June 27th 2008 8:45AM
posted June 27th 2008 8:45AM
posted June 27th 2008 8:45AM
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Hybrid-related question: If you don't charge up the battery or if you're driving more than its range, will it just switch over to being an extra-heavy diesel engine?
Over simplified, yes. However I do believe that the system will be not unlike that in the Volt - the diesel engine (which can be fuelled with bio-diesel) is not physically connected to the drivetrain. Instead, it is connected to a generator which recharges the batteries and powers the electric engine(s). This is, contrary to big-block fan belief, a more efficient use of fuel as the engine can run constantly at its most economical RPM, instead of being revved up and down whilst changing gears - one of the biggest flaws of ICE vehicles.
There are two reasons to get an alternative fuel/hybrid vehicle:
A. Environmental Reasons
(This is the primary concern for many of the people on here who are constantly complaining that the current crop of hybrids are not enough or don't help)
B. Cost Savings to the Owner
(This is the main reason I am interested, and I think a majority of people will be interested, as the price of gas goes above $4.50 a gallon.)
Yeah, a vehicle that solves both A and B would be great; but while they figure that out, I'll take just B.
@EmoShinz: It is nice to see car manufacturers making a move in the right direction. It is interesting to see how much people are paying for fuel so please spare a thought for us poor UK drivers.... currently £1.16 ish a litre for petrol £1.29 a litre for diesel. I think this would equate roughly (US Gallon) in CAD dollars $8.80 ish a Gallon unleaded and $10.22 for diesel :'( (please forgive if the sums are a bit out)
i always knew our cousins across the pond paid more, but that is ridiculous. guess that's why you guys get all the really cool diesels and hybrids first, but still...wow!
@Fanman
Exactly how I dont know. I do know that such a thing exists though. Ive heard of people who have made homemade ev's ordering only renewable energy from their power companys (at an increase of price). Tried doing a quick google search and i found a company in UK that offers 100% renewable power (http://www.good-energy.co.uk/).
Also, if your going to bring up the mining required for for the nickle and what not, why not include platinum mining up. ill let you do a google search on that cause im in a rush. Just looking up "platinum mining pollution" and see what you get.
'Winterkorn says VW will have a demonstration test fleet of 20 Twin Drive Golfs on the road by 2010, but there's no word yet on whether the car will see production.'
A demonstration test fleet in 2010, not production. This engadget article is incredibly misleading.
Besides, this is just a Diesel Golf with an electric motor and batteries in the trunk. It's unclear is has any practicality at all, either on price or interior space.
always loved Volkswagen, always will.
Advice for VW: Don't make a hybrid SUV!!! That's a pointless oxymoron!!!
if it even makes it to the production stage, i'll bet the US won't see one until 2015.
I'm glad they ditched the golf name over here and brought back rabbit. 2010? What happened to up? That line looks a lot wiser/efficient, a return to cars having as much space on the inside as they appear to have on the outside.
Call it the Rabbit and I'm sold.
If you couple this with bio-diesel (from the new and improved pond scum - algae) and integrate some solar panels on the roof and where-ever you can stuff them you can very well extend the 31 miles per charge to 50+. Once the diesel engine kicks in using your biodiesel your mpg would increase more as well. Now we need to improve on battery efficiency and these numbers will increase in everything. This is a good start I think. And I like the look of the Golf.
I loves me my solar power, but I think it's a waste of time to put panels on a car like this. The amount of energy it would generate would be pretty insignificant compared to the load. I'd rather see those panels permanently mounted somewhere useful.
The comment about nickel hydride batteries making Priuses bigger polluters than Hummers or anything else out there with a pure ICE is pure bunk. It was bunk when Rush Limbaugh read it on his show, and it still is. A little research will easily confirm this.
I believe many of you are overlooking one major point, be it a complete EV plug in, or a giant gas gussling hummer, the vast majority of the environmental impact from cars comes as a direct result of car production. The answer, purchase an original Beetle placing an electric motor mounting directly to the existing transmission along with a batteries for around $5000. That surely leaves you with enough money to purchase that wind turbine for your backyard in turn fueling your car and your house for years to come.
This tech could end the importation of oil into the US. And ALL methods of electricity production are far cleaner than auto tailpipe emissions. The twindrive system uses 4 motor/generators: 2 in the rear wheel hubs and 1 ea. before and after the tranny to power the front wheels and start the engine. This gives AWD, regen braking etc. This car and the Volt are not really hybrids; they are electric cars first, but can function as hybrids when the batteries are depleted to 30%. If VW will put this system on the Tiguan, and add alittle range, I would line up.