greencars.za.net

Volkswagen last week introduced a plug-in hybrid Golf, a diesel-electric model slated for global launch in 2010-11. “The automaker is staking a claim to that future with a plug-in hybrid drive train it calls Twin Drive.It will debut in a Golf fitted with a 122-horsepower [81kW] diesel engine and an 82-horsepower [61kW] electric motor, “ said VW boss Martin Winterkorn VW emphasise that the current crop of hybrids use the electric motor to augment internal combustion engine power, while the new Golf will be able to run on electricity alone for up to 50km. Start-stop technology as well as regenerative braking (on which GreenCars reported previously) will help keep the battery pack – which can be plugged into a normal residential power socket – charged. The batteries will be supplied by electronics maker Sanyo.  

See Wired News for some picture of the not-to-different looking Golf. 

Relevance for South Africa: This is a big step by an automotive manufacturer to make hybrid driving available to an even broader public. With the Toyota Prius selling only some 250 units since launch in South Africa, and only a few other luxury hybrid options available, launching a vehicle like the Twin Drive Golf will see a mainstream model range offer environmentally friendly driving locally – something that Honda should have already done with its Civic range. If launched locally, hybrids will likely start selling in the thousands in our big cities.

By Christie Viljoen 

Sources: Wheels24; Wired News