The Volkswagen Jetta made a New Year’s resolution: to be even more fuel-efficient. And only nine days into 2012, it’s made good on that promise. The Jetta Hybrid was revealed at the North American International Auto Show today, and thanks to its all-new technology, it’s the most fuel-efficient Jetta in our lineup.
What’s New
The all-new Jetta Hybrid is powered by a high-tech turbocharged gasoline engine that is paired with a zero-emissions electric motor. While this marriage of smart and sensible enables impressive driving performance with a class-leading 0-60 mph time of less than 9.0 seconds, this new Jetta is also the world’s first hybrid to use a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. What does that mean to you? It means the Jetta can deliver an estimated combined fuel economy figure of 45 mpg with no sacrifice in power. The fuel efficiency is a full 20 percent higher, and in city traffic, it climbs to a little over 30 percent.
The Jetta Hybrid can also be driven in pure electric mode at speeds of up to 44 mph and for up to 1.2 miles, depending on operating conditions. And for the first time in the U.S. market, we’re using our acclaimed 1.4-liter turbocharged gasoline power plant, which weighs in at a mere 216 pounds. The slimmed-down four-cylinder engine produces 150 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque from just 1400 rpm. Now you can have a lead foot and still be environmentally friendly.
What’s Cool
The Jetta has always had a certain cool factor, but the Jetta Hybrid turns it up a few notches. It features a new take on regenerative braking: its clutch decouples the gasoline engine from the drivetrain when in pure electric drive or coasting modes to release more kinetic energy back into the battery. Because “decouples” is such a cool word, we’ll use it to describe another feature: when you step off the accelerator pedal at speeds of up to 84 mph, the TSI® engine shuts down and decouples from the drivetrain to eliminate driveline drag and the effects of the engine’s torque, resulting in even greater fuel efficiency. Want info on how fuel-efficient the Jetta Hybrid is? Get it with one glance at its all-new ePower meter. It also boasts a state-of-the-art lithium-ion battery, and its Autobahn-proven technology makes it the fastest compact hybrid in its class. Now that’s cool.
Why It Matters
Think Blue is Volkswagen’s commitment to achieving sustainable mobility through technology and cars that don’t compromise performance. With its impressive fuel efficiency, turbocharged speed, innovative technology and standard safety equipment like Electronic Stability Control, anti-lock brakes and six airbags, the Jetta Hybrid embodies the Think Blue spirit of mobility that’s not only environmentally friendly, but fun.
For more information on the new Jetta Hybrid, check out our press release. The Jetta Hybrid launches in North America in late 2012, but you can see it now at the Detroit Auto Show. And be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for live updates from the show.
Tell us: what do you like best about the Jetta Hybrid?
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