VOLKSWAGEN HAS BECOME the latest car maker to state that all of its future new models will feature some form of electrification.
The announcement isn’t a huge surprise as many other brands, like Volvo, have vowed to do the same.
The announcement was made at the International Vienna Motor Symposium, a congress on all automotive technology. Volkswagen will start with a mild hybrid version of the next generation Golf, using a small onboard battery and a 48-volt system. Such a setup doesn’t require plugging in or charging by the user, but its battery helps to reduce fuel consumption through extended coasting and to lower the power draw on the engine.
Dr Frank Welsch, member of the board of management for Volkswagen Passenger Cars with responsibility for Technical Development, said:
Electrifying conventional drives will enable us to further reduce consumption and emissions while also increasing dynamics and convenience. We are starting this extensive electrification campaign with Volkswagen’s best-selling vehicle to date – the Golf. Our newly developed, cost-effective 48-volt mild hybrid will pave the way for introducing this type of technology to the mainstream.
There are already some cars in the Volkswagen Group using 48-volt systems, namely high-end models from Audi and Porsche. It is believed that a mild hybrid system in a car like a Golf can save up to 0.3 litres/100km and adds an electric boost to improve the car’s smoothness when on the go.
Volkswagen is also developing a whole new line of long-range fully electric models that will be sold under the ID name, starting with a Golf-sized car that is due to arrive in late 2019. These promise more modern styling with larger cabin space and most importantly driving ranges above what is currently available today.
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