Volkswagen to offer Media Test Drives of All-Electric Golf Blue-e-motion at LA Auto Show

At next week's Los Angeles Auto Show, Volkswagen will offer U.S. media representatives the chance to drive the all-electric Golf blue-e-motion. Based on the five-door version of the German hatch, the Golf blue-e-motion has a 115 hp (85 kW) electric motor, powered by a 26.5 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery, and a driving range of up to 150 km (93 miles).

A production version is scheduled for launch in 2013.

The car's 30 battery modules (consisting of 180 lithium cells) are installed in the floor of the boot, under the rear seats and in the center tunnel of the underbody. This way much of the boot space was retained, as useable cargo capacity amounts to 275 liters. However, the weight of the battery pack is another story. It adds a whopping 315 kg (695 lbs) to the car's weight, seemingly crippling it.

Luckily, as with any electric motor, the Golf blue-e-motion has plenty of torque, more precisely 270 Nm (199 lb-ft), so it's capable of completing the 0-100 km/h (62 mph) sprint in 11.8 seconds, while top speed is limited to 135 km/h (84 mph). Granted, that's not a new world record, but, still, it's enough for your everyday commuter's needs.

To extend the range as further as possible, engineers made the car more aerodynamic, reducing the drag coefficient to 0.295. Furthermore, the blue-e-motion can "sail". This occurs when the driver releases the gas pedal. At that moment the torque drops to zero, helping the car coast with the least possible drag, while recovering kinetically generated energy and storing it in the battery pack.

Three driving profiles are available in order to make the blue-e-motion more suited to specific needs. In "Comfort+" mode, full power is used, so the car can reach its top speed. When "Normal" is activated, output drops to 87 hp (65 kW), as does the top speed to 115 km/h (72 mph). In "Range+", the focus is on, well, maximum driving range, so power is limited to 67 hp (50 kW). In this mode, the car's top speed is further reduced (105 km/h or 65 mph) and the air conditioning system is also completely deactivated in order to save battery power.

Compared to a standard Golf, the blue-e-motion has a slightly tweaked exterior with a wider, double-bar grille, LED daytime running lights, black window trim and a roof spoiler.

Inside, it's business as usual, with the usual amenities seen such as eight-way adjustable seats, foldable rear bench and brushed metallic trim inserts.

By Csaba Daradics

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VW Teases Jetta R with 3.6L V6-Powered, All-Wheel-Drive Prototype

Volkswagen's new 2011 Jetta has just landed on European shores, but Germans already have new plans for it. During the European press launch, the media got a taste of the Jetta R with a special prototype fitted with a 3.6-liter V6 engine, six-speed DSG transmission and Volkswagen's 4Motion all-wheel drive system.

As you can see in the pictures, the V6 prototype's body has not been altered yet. Only the bigger wheels and four-tail pipes at the back signal that there's something going on here.

Should it make into production, you can rest assured that the R division will dress-up the Jetta with a body kit, probably featuring more aggressive spoilers, lowered side sills and other R goodies, plus interior appointments. We reckon racing seats, sportier steering wheels and pedals are safe bets.

The Jetta R should fit snugly in the R line-up, alongside the Golf and Scirocco sports models and the also rumored Polo R. Its future depends on customer feedback: if enough people want it, Volkswagen will make it. Simple as that.

"If there are customers asking for it, we will do it. It wouldn't be a problem for us. The Jetta's platform can take four-wheel drive" VW R&D chief, Ulrich Hackenberg, told Autocar magazine, which managed to snap a shot of the prototype Jetta's V6 powerplant (see here).

It should be noted that the European Jetta has received many upgrades over its American counterpart. These include the use of higher quality and softer materials on the control panel and a more sophisticated four-link suspension system at the back instead of the U.S.-spec model's simple, beam axle setup.

Then again, the base Jetta in Germany, which is powered by a 105HP 1.2-liter TSI petrol, starts at €20,900 (about US$29,435 at today's exchange rates), whereas the entry-level U.S. model with a 115HP 2.0-liter petrol, starts just $15,995 (around €11,400). Guess you get what you pay for...

By Csaba Daradics

Via: Autocar & ANE (sub. req.)

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