Volkswagen is the latest car company to announce plans to introduce a vehicle that combines hybrid and diesel technologies. The company says that a diesel-hybrid Golf, to be offered in Europe as early as 2009, will achieve 70 miles to the gallon, and pass tough diesel emissions standards in Europe and California.
The VW diesel hybrid is expected to use a full hybrid drivetrain with a 2.0 liter engine, allowing it to travel in all-electric mode at low speeds.
In the weeks leading up to the Geneva Motor Show, BMW and Mercedes also released plans for diesel-hybrids. BMW will introduce the BMW X5, a seven-passenger vehicle utilizing a 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesel engine and a mild hybrid system. The X5, which is expected to achieve 36 miles per gallon and 200 horsepower, is still in the concept phase. Mercedes-Benz is offering more details about its S400 gasoline-electric luxury sedan, expected in 2009—but has only hinted at a diesel-hybrid version in 2010.
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