Volkswagen has been busily expanding its range of electric models, but as growth for electric vehicles (EVs) cools in some markets it’s now looking to roll out a new hybrid system.
Autocar reports this will debut in the upcoming second-generation Volkswagen T-Roc, set to be revealed at the Munich motor show in September, with the hybrid system complementing the company’s existing mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid options.
The hybrid system will also reportedly be used in the Skoda Octavia and Volkswagen Golf, with other possibilities including the Volkswagen Tiguan, Tayron and Passat; Audi A3; Cupra Leon and Formentor; and Skoda Scala, Kodiaq and Superb.
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In short, this powertrain could proliferate throughout the Volkswagen Group lineup, and while the German giant is reportedly committed to diesel powertrains Autocar reports they could eventually be supplanted by hybrids.
The new hybrid powertrain will reportedly pair a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine and an electric motor.
Outputs will reportedly range from 150kW and 350Nm to 200kW and 400Nm.
The hybrid system is part of an investment of €60 billion (A$103bn) in combustion-engine development by 2028.
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Jetta Hybrid -
It’s not the first time Volkswagen has offered a traditional hybrid system, with one being used in the US-built Jetta during the 2010s. This also mated a small turbocharged four-cylinder engine with an electric motor.
Volkswagen also offered a hybrid version of its second-generation Touareg, which paired a supercharged V6 engine with an electric motor.
The company has long been a proponent of fuel-saving diesel powertrains, but following the Dieselgate saga it has invested heavily in EVs.
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Touareg R PHEV
As a step in between, it has offered plug-in hybrids, however these have never been offered in Australia under the Skoda brand, while the Volkswagen brand has only offered the Touareg R locally. Audi and Cupra have also rolled out PHEVs locally in recent years.
While it’s unconfirmed at this stage if these new hybrids will come to Australia, Volkswagen could stand to benefit from such an option locally.
Deliveries of hybrid vehicles surged by 76 per cent last year, outpacing growth for EVs. Only PHEVs experienced a greater increase at 100.2 per cent, however this was from a lower base.
Besides hybrid giant Toyota, other brands to offer hybrid powertrains in Australia include GWM, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, MG and Nissan.
