VW Plans Hybrid Touareg, Not Jetta

Corporate shakeups don’t usually change the products we see at local dealerships, but a recent change at Volkswagen has shifted the company’s plans for the introduction of a hybrid vehicle. The new head honchos in Germany felt that putting a hybrid engine — at an additional cost of roughly $2,500 — in a Jetta wouldn’t sell because of the price. Instead, VW’s first hybrid power plant will be in a Touareg SUV.

We think a hybrid Jetta not only would sell, but is more in line with what the Volkswagen brand has been all about since it landed in the U.S. What would you rather see on lots? A hybrid Jetta or a hybrid Touareg?

[Volkswagen Revises Hybrid Plans, Focuses on Touareg, MotorTrend]

Comments

Clean diesel verisons of both. Hybrids are overrated. That being said a hybrid Touraeg makes more sense. Think about it this why: would you offer the Touraeg or the Jetta with the $2500 luxury package?

I think this is the right move... that is, if you just have to make a hybrid. The Jetta TDI should be enough economy, but why does it carry a nearly $5k markup? Whatever the sticker, TDIs are selling for $5k more than a 1.8/2.0T, new and used. It is due to unreal government restrictions that drive up the cost, even though TDIs are cleaner than most American V8s. The restrictions are driving up costs and keeping supply low (because european OEMs can't just ship them over).

So why are Hybrids big and Diesels continue to struggle in the consumer market? Government subsidies of "greenie" technology. E85? Lets support Biodiesel?

VW; Bring me more TDIs!

Great, take a good idea (hyrid drive) and put it in another huge vehicle! A regular Toureg is heavy enough as it is,let's fill it with batteries! Your regular car better watch out.I'm on an off-road mission to the mall!!

First to market hybrid-diesel makes more sense to me, being VW and all.

How about VW adopt ZF's 7p seven speed automatic (no torque converter) 7.28:1 ratio spread, greater than the current 6 speed automatic for the VR6 and V8.
and how about the V12tdi, the V10 is old and underpowered.

well, here in the seattle area, i know a VW jetta hybrid would continue to be a sell out. it would be more of fashion/guilt expense, but thats seattle.

C’mon HYBRIDS!!!! Get me a diesel
And I’m not the same matt above me i'm from Wisconsin

My wife and I would love the Jetta, but have a hard time with the MPG. For purely selfish reasons, I would want a hybrid Jetta, but, it depends on how it stacks up against the diesel Jetta out next year.

Well then where are the diesels? I can’t believe the US won’t allow them from passing emissions. TDI’s get 50 miles to the gallon come on what is going on here. Automakers are missing out, especially US automakers. What is wrong with their thinking? I have heard the new compact VW hybrids would get 70 mpg. Who wouldn’t want that? an extra 20 mpg. Plus who can afford a $40,000 suv? Surely not the people who would bennefit most from a 70 mpg hybrid. My house is only worth 40,000. Wake up VW and US automakers. 20 mpg would pay for itself in a few months and repay the environment immediately. Wake up!3. Quit playing with marketing VW and Wintercorn and US automakers and politicians. How about this VW why don't you just throw in the hybrid engines for nothing for the sacrifice of the US economy and US people who are providing the world economy with oil from the middle east. Quit playing with the marketing your gonna get paid for your work Wintercorn but you shouldn't get anymore than that by playing with marketing. Make the dollar you earn an honest dollar like the rest of us. You listening industry quit squeezing the consumer. Wake up.

we've been waiting and waiting and waiting and waiting ... for a diesel hybrid to hit the market - these cars would blow away the competition in efficiency, power, and would last up to 500,000 miles on biodiesel. 70-100 mpg - this needs to happen before humans finally become dinosaurs!
come on VW, what are you waiting for?????? Are you waiting for GM opel astra to finally get here sometime in the next century - our patience is running out!
the consumers are getting very impatient - only the auto CEOs are stalling for fear there are no consumers - they are dead wrong - even the inefficient gas hybrid is now one of the fastest growing cars with toyota prius surpassing 1 million sold - imagine what a diesel hybrid could do - especially from VW with their experience with diesel engines - this car could smoke the competition!