New Volkswagen Electric Car Concept and Jetta Hybrid Headed to Detroit Show

While a little late to the party, the Volkswagen Group plans to make up for its lackluster presence in the electric and hybrid vehicle sector with a barrage of eco-friendly models within the next couple of years.

At the upcoming 2012 Detroit Auto Show, the VW brand will lift the covers off a never before seen pure electric concept car and the production version of the Jetta Hybrid, according to the Detroit Free Press.

The report says that the electric car study will not be based on any current production model with VW calling it “pure concept” – at least for now.

The new Jetta Hybrid, on the other hand, will be a regular production model and is scheduled to arrive in VW’s North American showrooms next November. It will reportedly be powered by 1.4-liter turbocharged gasoline engine (not to be confused with the European 1.4 TSI that uses both a turbo- and a super-charger) coupled to an electric motor.

According to the Detroit Free Press, VW said that the Jetta Hybrid is “meant to directly challenge the Toyota Prius’ dominance of the U.S. hybrid market.”

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