VW Premiers Hybrid Concept New Compact Coupe
11 January 2010
| The New Compact Coupe. Click to enlarge. |
Volkswagen introduced its New Compact Coupe (NCC) hybrid concept at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The car, positioned between the Scirocco and the CC, offers combined fuel consumption of 4.2 L/100 km (NEDC), or 45 mpg US with an EPA rating. CO2 emissions (NEDC) are 98 g/km. Top speed is 227 km/h (141 mph) with 8.6 seconds required to accelerate to 100 km/h (0-60 mph in 8.1 seconds).
In the first half of the year, Volkswagen will launch its first hybrid model on the market under the VW label—an SUV with full-time all-wheel drive. The New Compact Coupe shows, both technically and visually, how Volkswagen envisions a front-wheel drive hybrid for the compact class.
The powertrain combines a TSI engine (gasoline-powered with 110 kW / 150 PS), an electric motor (20 kW / 27 PS), a 7-speed Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG), and a 1.1 kWh Li-ion battery. Volkswagen is using a four-cylinder version of the TSI gasoline engine range in the NCC. Direct injection, turbocharging and an intercooler generate the 110 kW of power from just 1.4 liters of engine displacement. Torque from the engine is 240 N·m (177 lb-ft).
The 20 kW electric motor is integrated between the TSI and the 7-speed DSG transmission; it can be used for pure electric driving, or it can support the TSI with aggressive torque. The power and torque of the two drive units supplement one another during boosting.
As soon as the driver releases the gas pedal, the TSI is disengaged from the transmission. This “coast-down” is even possible at higher speeds, as in freeway driving. With drag losses reduced, the NCC is able to coast for a longer period of time.
In braking, the electric motor recovers kinetic energy which is then stored in the lithium-ion battery. The New Compact Coupe also has a Stop-Start system on board to further reduce fuel consumption, especially in urban areas and in stop-and-go traffic.
It has been a long time since I have thought a VW had a pleasing appearance. The last VW I liked was the Corrado (sp?). I could get very interested in this vehicle.
Posted by: Patrick | 11 January 2010 at 11:11 AM
Interesting that VW appear to be going straight to lithium-ion for their hybrids and bypassing the whole NiMH beginner's route.
Posted by: clett | 12 January 2010 at 01:41 AM
Amazing all around performance with a very small battery. This car is way ahead of 2016 CAFE standards. Toyota will have to improve their planned PHEVs.
Posted by: HarveyD | 13 January 2010 at 08:06 AM
I drive an automatic 2007 Toyota Yaris that has a combined EPA rating of 32.5 mpg. I am a hypermiling freak and I usually get 37 mpg. I replaced the original tires to the new Goodyear FuelMax tires and I get 38 to 39 mpg. The problem with hypermiling is that you can't keep your speed constant all the time and you end up bothering other drivers behind you. It would be nice to have an electric boost when you are coasting down so that you don't have to engage the engine multiple times. Ideally, the hypermiling can be done by the car itself; when the current fuel consumption falls below certain threshold, it must mean that you are going down hill and therefore the small electric motor can sustain a constant speed. If the car is able to keep a constant speed without the electric boost, then car turns off the electric motor and if the car keeps gaining speed when the electric motor is off, let's say 2 mph above the cruise control setting, then the motor can be used as a generator (regenerative braking). Of course you will need to install a turbine in the exhaust to keep the small battery charged. In short, when you go uphill, the engine output is high and therefore the turbine charges the battery, and when you go downhill, the engine is off and in neutral, with the electric motor providing constant speed.
Posted by: Freddy Torres | 24 January 2010 at 06:49 AM