Jetta Hybrid – course change
Volkswagen and Toyota, two huge and competing companies, seemed to be digging on both sides of the hybrid barricade. Toyota has been successfully promoting models equipped with an electric motor for years, and Volkswagen has tried to ignore the fact that this technology has found many supporters around the world. Until now.
The exhibition in Geneva is a great opportunity to present our latest models, as well as developed and implemented technical solutions. Volkswagen also decided to take advantage of this opportunity and organized a test drive of the Jetta hybrid for journalists.
technique
At present, hybrid technologies are no longer a terrible secret for anyone. Volkswagen also didn't come up with anything new in this matter - it simply created a car with an internal combustion engine and / or an electric motor from existing components. The engineers approached the whole issue somewhat ambitiously and decided to build a car that would compete with the king of Prius hybrids. The car is as versatile as it is, but superior in several ways.
Competing with a legend is not easy, but you have to start somewhere. Firstly, it is a more powerful 1.4 TSI turbocharged petrol engine with direct fuel injection and 150 hp. True, the electric unit produces only 27 hp, but in total the entire hybrid package develops a maximum power of 170 hp. Power is sent to the front axle via a 7-speed dual-clutch DSG gearbox. The car, although heavier than a regular Jetta by more than 100 kg, boasts acceleration to 100 km / h in 8,6 seconds.
The design of the hybrid kit is quite simple - it consists of two engines with a hybrid module built between them and a set of lithium-ion batteries. The batteries are located behind the rear seat, keeping interior space intact while reducing trunk space by 27%. Responsible for the process of charging the battery, among other things, is the recovery system, which, when the brake pedal is pressed, turns the electric motor into an alternator that charges the batteries. The hybrid module not only disables, but also allows you to completely disable the gasoline engine when driving on electricity only (electronic mode with a maximum range of 2 km) or when driving in freewheel mode. Wherever possible, the car is looking for ways to save fuel and electricity.
It is also worth mentioning here that the intention of the designers was to create an economical, but at the same time dynamic and pleasant to drive hybrid than in the case of conventional drives. That is why a rather brisk power unit is complemented by a multi-link rear suspension.
appearance
At first glance, the Jetta Hybrid looks little different from its TDI and TSI badged sisters. However, if you look closely, you will certainly notice a different grille, signature emblems with blue trim, a rear spoiler and aerodynamically optimized aluminum wheels.
The first thing you'll notice inside is a different watch. Instead of a regular tachometer, we see the so-called. a power meter that gives us, among other things, information about whether our driving style is eco, whether we are charging the batteries at the moment or when we use both engines at the same time. The radio menu also shows energy flow and CO2 zero driving time. This allows ambitious and environmentally responsible drivers to get the most out of hybrid technology.
Trip
The test route, several tens of kilometers long, passed partly along the highway, suburban roads, and also through the city. It's the perfect cross-section of the average family's everyday car use. Let's start with the results of combustion. The manufacturer claims the average fuel consumption of the Jetty Hybrid is 4,1 liters for every 100 kilometers traveled. Our test showed that the need for fuel when driving on the highway at a speed of no more than 120 km / h is about 2 liters higher and fluctuates around 6 liters. After leaving the highway, fuel consumption began to fall slowly, reaching 3,8 l / 100 km for a certain coin (with typical city driving). It follows that the catalog fuel consumption is achievable, but only if we use the car most of the time in the city.
The concern from Wolfsburg is famous for its solid and well-driving cars. The Jetta Hybrid is no exception. Aerodynamic body work, a modified exhaust system and the use of special glass make the cabin very quiet. Only with a stronger pressure of gas does the rumble of the engine connected to the DSG dual-clutch gearbox begin to reach our ears. It changes gears so quickly and imperceptibly for the driver that sometimes it seems that this is not a DSG, but a stepless variator.
The extra luggage in the form of a battery not only gets in the way of a flat luggage compartment, but also leaves a small imprint on the driving experience. The Jetta Hybrid feels a bit sluggish in corners, but this car was not built to be a slalom champion. With an economical and eco-friendly ride, this sedan should be a comfortable family car, and it is.
Prizes
The Jetta Hybrid will be available in Poland from the middle of the year, and, unfortunately, the prices that will be valid in our market are not yet known. In Germany, the Jetta Hybrid with the Comfortline version costs €31. The Highline version costs €300 more.
