The 2012 Detroit Auto Show is playing host to the world premiere of the brand-new Jetta Hybrid that promises to deliver an average fuel economy of 45mpg US, equal to 54mpg UK and 5.2lt/100km while at the same time offering a respectable 0-60mph (96km/h) sprint time of less than nine seconds.
The compact sedan’s hybrid powertrain consists of a 1.4-liter turbocharged gasoline engine delivering 150-horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque from just 1400 rpm up to 3500 rpm, a 20 kW (27 hp) electric motor and a 1.1 kWh battery that is integrated behind the rear bench.
Combined, the TSI unit and the electric motor give a peak power of 170 PS, which are delivered to the front wheels through a seven-speed dual clutch DSG transmission.
Just like the Touareg Hybrid, the new addition to the Jetta range features a parallel hybrid system that uses a decoupling clutch that can disengage both the petrol motor for pure electric drive or when coasting or braking and the electric motor for higher speeds or when the battery charge is low, or combine the two units for maximum output.
On electric power alone, the Jetta Hybrid can be driven at speeds of up to 44mph (70km/h) and over a distance of 1.3 miles (2km), depending on conditions.
VW says that the Jetta Hybrid weighs only 220 pounds (100 kg) more than the non-hybrid Jetta at less than 1,500 kg (3,307 lbs) in total.
Along with the mechanical changes, the hybrid model also gets a raft of aerodynamic modifications such as the a new front spoiler, a rear diffuser and a rear spoiler that all help to improve the car’s Cd value by 10 percent over the regular version. In addition, there are new new headlamps with LED running lights, LED rear lights and bespoke 15-inch alloy wheels with low rolling resistance tires.
The Hybrid model has also been enhanced with a newly designed exhaust system, an acoustic windscreen and thicker front side windows to make it even quieter, while VW also redesigned the instrument panel than now features a new screen plus a “power meter” and a multifunction display on the left.
The Jetta Hybrid will initially launch only in the USA and Canada in November 2012.
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