2012 Volkwagen Jetta Hybrid

The Volkswagen Jetta is getting a hybrid version. Yes, a hybrid version.

That may not mean much to those gas-guzzling, sports car-driving types, but for those that take pride in alleviating some of Mother Nature’s plights, a green Jetta is just what the doctor ordered.

The Jetta Hybrid, which was launched at the 2012 North American International Auto Show, will provide customers a more economical version for a car that has long been one of Volkswagen’s most popular models.

The hybrid engine doesn’t sound like a world-beater - the lithium-ion battery only produces 1.1 kWh - but it’s still competent enough to allow the car to hit 44 mph. And when you add that to a 1.4-liter turbocharged engine that hits a total of 170 horsepower, you have a car that’s fixing to make a lot of Jetta lovers smile from ear to ear.

Design-- Exterior & Interior

Aesthetic modifications for the Jetta Hybrid were left to a minimum. Among the modifications are a new front airdam, a rear diffuser, and an integrated rear spoiler. The car also has a special radiator grille that houses the VW logo, which has been integrated on a blue background, as well as Hybrid markings on various parts of the car, including the grille, fenders, and rear deck. Last, the Jetta Hybrid rides on a set of special 15" alloy wheels wrapped in all-season tires.

2012 Volkwagen Jetta Hybrid -Features 

Volkswagen has announced that the Jetta Hybrid will be offered in three different trim levels with all the details set to be announced on a later date. Nevertheless, the car still comes with plenty of standard safety equipment, including Electronic Stability Control (ESC), anti- lock brakes (ABS), and six airbags: driver and front passenger airbags, front side thorax airbags and Side Curtain Protection airbags on both the front and rear.

Other standard features include Bluetooth technology, LED taillights, SiriusXM satellite radio, special 15-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, bi-xenon headlights and LED Daytime Running Lights, a power driver’s seat, heatable front seats, the RNS 315 navigation system, a rear-view camera and Volkswagen’s exclusive Fender Premium Audio System.

2012 Volkwagen Jetta Hybrid -Performance

For all intents and purposes, this is where the Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid really makes a difference. Utilizing a 1.4-liter turbocharged gasoline powerplant, the Jetta Hybrid’s engine is capable of generating 150 horsepower and 184 lb/ft of torque. Then you add a 20kW electric motor with a lithium-ion battery that’s integrated behind the rear bench seat and weighs less than 80 lb. The battery consists of 60 individual cells with a combined energy capacity of 5 Ah.

The frequency of the discharge and charge cycles in hybrid operation requires high- performance battery cooling. To accomplish that, Volkswagen mounted a fan directly on the device. On top of that, the battery also has its own management system that performs safety, diagnostic, and monitoring functions as well as temperature management.

The Jetta’s Hybrid’s entire powertrain system is then mated to a seven-speed DSG dual-clutch transmission that sends power to the front wheels and operates automatically and efficiently, while also providing super-fast shifting.

All told, combining the gas engine with the electric motor nets the Jetta Hybrid a peak output of 170 horsepower with a 0-60 mph time of less than nine seconds. Combined fuel economy figure hits an estimated 45 mpg while a pure electric-run mode allows the car to hit a top speed of 44 mph.

Pricing

There’s no word on the pricing for the Jetta Hybrid yet, but we expect it to slot right in and around the $25,000 range, which is what the Jetta GLI is selling for these days.

Competition

There are a number of vehicles in the market today that can compete with the Jetta Hybrid. One that comes to mind is the Kia Optima Hybrid, which is a pretty good comp for the Volkswagen given that they have pretty much similar numbers.

To be fair, the latter posts better powertrain numbers - 206.2 horsepower and 195.4 pound-feet of torque when in hybrid mode - than the Jetta Hybrid. On the flip side, the Korean hybrid’s 2.4-liter GDI engine means that it drinks up more fuel than the German Jetta, which then results in a more efficient car for the Volkswagen, compared to the Optima’s estimated 40 mpg fuel efficiency numbers.