The Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid was premiered this week at the 2012 North American International Auto Show, which is currently taking place in Detroit. Visually there's not much to say about the hybrid Jetta. It's basically identical to the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta on which it's based on. A few minor design changes include the LEDs integrated into the headlights, and the slightly modified front grille. The major novelty brought by the VW Jetta Hybrid hides under the car's bonnet. VW's 1.4 TSI four-cylinder engine, together with the 7-speed DSG automatic transmission, now works together with an electric motor. The hybrid Jetta outputs a total of 130 kW, thanks to its 110 kW / 150 PS and 250 Nm of torque TSI engine and its 20 kW zero-emissions electric motor.
The Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid is rated with a 9-second sprint from 0 to 60 mph and a 45-mpg fuel consumption on the combined cycle. The Jetta Hybrid can run on electricity only for a maximum distance of 2 km, at a top speed of 70 km/h (44 mph).
The electric part of the Jetta Hybrid is powered by a lithium-ion battery pack, with a capacity of 1.1 kWh. The battery is equipped with its own management system, which is used for safety, diagnostic and monitoring functions as well as temperature management.
In case the Jetta Hybrid is involved in a crash, a special system disconnects the battery automatically. The Jetta Hybrid is able to recharge its battery during driving by using a braking energy recuperation system. To increase its efficiency, VW also equipped it with a start/stop system.
The Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid has several driving modes, including an S mode. When driving in 'S', the Jetta Hybrid benefits from the full 125 kW / 170 PS of its powertrain. This could be especially useful during overtaking.
At the interior, Volkswagen equips the Jetta Hybrid with new instruments, a power meter and an information display which shows the driver how efficient the trip is. The hybrid Jetta's power meter shows the cars state, which is one of the following: Ready, Charge, Eco and Boost (the S mode mentioned previously).
The hybrid Jetta comes with all the safety features you would expect to find in a Volkswagen. These include, among others, ESP, ABS, and six airbags. The full specifications and features of the Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid are available in this pdf.
Volkswagen will announce the price of the Jetta Hybrid at a later date. The new model will go on sale in the United States in November 2012. Watch the Jetta Hybrid in action in the video lower down this page.
Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid video:
