Detroit Autoshow 2010: Volkswagen takes the hybrid plunge
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Detroit Autoshow 2010: Volkswagen takes the hybrid plunge by Marc Bouchard / Auto123.com |
The Detroit Auto Show seems to be going green. After the inauguration of its own EV section, the major manufacturers are now using it to unveil their latest and greatest hybrid models. In fact, Volkswagen took the opportunity to present the automotive capital with its hybrid New Compact Coupe.
Although it wasn't presented (and we thought it would be), VW announced that an all-wheel drive hybrid SUV would go on sale sometime this year, which is likely to be the Touareg Hybrid. It would directly compete with the Audi Q7 and Porsche Cayenne hybrids, both hitting the road in the next few months. As for engineering, the Touareg is powered by the Bluemotion system that uses a 333-hp V6 TSi coupled with a 52-hp electric engine. The latter enables to the Touareg to travel up to 50 km/h on electricity alone. Together, the engines produce a total of 347 hp, but they only team up in Sport mode and when the driver specifically asks them to. Style-wise, other than a few badges proclaiming its hybrid heritage, the VW Touareg is identical to its gas-powered brethren. |
