VW Reportedly Developing Twin-Drive Golf/Rabbit Plug-In

[AZEqualizer]

http://image.motortrend.com/f/features/auto_news/2008/10669403+w200/112_0809_02z+2011_volkswagen_golf_twindrive+engine .jpg

There is no conventional transmission in the Twin Drive, however, its absence helping to offset the weight of the electric motor. The single-gear ratio is equivalent to the top gear in a normal car. So the electric motor is needed to supply the low-end torque to get the car rolling to about 30 mph, when the combustion engine is clutched in and starts. The electric assist then rapidly fades, but is re-energized for acceleration boost.

See the full article over on the Motor Trend web site: (http://www.motortrend.com/features/auto_news/2008/112_0809_2011_vw_golf_twin_drive_preview/index.html)
http://image.motortrend.com/f/features/auto_news/2008/10669388+w455/112_0809_01l+2011_volkswagen_golf_twindrive+side_v iew.jpg

[Baja_Traveler]

I'd rather have the VW 1 Liter...

[Mark Tomlinson]

I had to think about this for a day or two before responding. It's an entirely new type of hybrid - not serial or parallel, though closer to parallel. But I'm unsure of it's usefulness. The electric motor torque is certainly good for accelerating from a start, but what kind of "boost" will it provide for passing at high speed? I'm sure it gets good mileage, but how good? I don't know - so many unanswered questions.

VW has always lead with some pretty clever technology. But usually abandons it for legal or marketing reasons. We'll see how this proof of concept goes.