Volkswagen Golf blue-e-motion

Volkswagen Golf blue-e-motion

Volkswagen is intent on becoming the world’s leading automaker by 2018 and that means being the top dog in every segment, including hybrid and electric vehicles. Recently the automaker announced plans to start building its own electric powertrains, and now it has unveiled the all-new Golf blue-e-motion.

The new electric vehicle is strictly a concept but Volkswagen has confirmed that a production version will be on sale by 2013 alongside an Up blue-e-motion electric minicar. The objective for Volkswagen is to use popular models such as the Golf to take electric vehicles out of their niche model status and to become the market leader for a new type of sustainable mobility by 2018.

The Golf blue-e-motion concept is powered by an electric motor rated at 115 horsepower and 200 pound-feet of torque. The electricity for driving the motor is stored in a lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 26.5 kilowatt-hours. A driving range of up to 94 miles can be realized in the Golf blue-e-motion; the specific range depending on driving style and factors such as use of the air conditioning and heating system.

Next year, Volkswagen will be testing the drivetrain and energy storage modules of the future Golf blue-e-motion with a fleet of 500 test cars.

However, before the first Volkswagen electric vehicles hit showrooms in 2013, several new hybrid models will be launched. In parallel with the electric vehicle offensive, Volkswagen is accelerating the introduction of new hybrid models as well. The new Touareg Hybrid has already been revealed and in 2012 a hybrid version of the Jetta will debut, then in 2013 the Golf Hybrid and Passat Hybrid will launch.

[Volkswagen]