Next-generation Volkswagen Golf to Offer Electric Assist, but Just a Tad

Steph Willems
by Steph Willems

Audi is bullish on 48-volt mild hybrids, and its Volkswagen sister division is no different in wanting to see larger batteries take some of the load off of its internal combustion powerplants.

The automaker announced Thursday that its upcoming eighth-generation Golf will offer a low-cost alternative to purely gas- or diesel-powered motoring. The mild hybrid system appearing on that vehicle, due next year as a 2020 model, will soon spread throughout the VW lineup, the automaker claims.

VW’s 48V system also works with diesel engines, which should give stringent European regulators something to smile about (and perhaps extend the longevity of an engine type with a soiled reputation).

Like other belt-driven starter generators, the system allows for easy stop/start functionality, with electric power transferred to the engine’s crankshaft via the serpentine belt during acceleration. Think of it as a light electric boost. While the small battery (in hybrid terms) isn’t capable of propelling the vehicle under electric power alone, VW claims it allows for gas-free coasting on the highway, furthering the system’s fuel economy benefits.

The 48V battery replenishes itself through regenerative braking, just like a conventional hybrid.

The automaker calls the new mild hybrid a “starting point” in its quest to spread electrification through its model lineup. Don’t worry — VW didn’t neglect to mention there’ll be “extra dynamism” available in the new car, all thanks to this gas-saving feature.

As VW Group hasn’t given up on diesel just yet, the company also previewed a new 2.0-liter TDI four-cylinder yesterday. The engine’s targeted at front- and rear-drive Audi applications, but don’t hold your breath waiting for it to arrive on these shores. Output ranges from 136 horsepower to 204 hp. As mentioned earlier, it’s available in mild hybrid guise.

The quintessential fun hatch, VW’s Golf stands to see a styling revamp when the new model rolls off the line next year. While it’s expected to borrow some cues from 2015’s Golf GTE Sport concept (like the flagship Arteon), you’ll surely be able to pick it out from a crowd. Messing with the Golf is like messing with the Jeep Wrangler. Go too far and you risk offending the faithful.

[Images: Volkswagen Group]

Steph Willems
Steph Willems

More by Steph Willems

Comments
Join the conversation
3 of 10 comments
  • Krhodes1 Krhodes1 on Apr 27, 2018

    Another facelift next year? They just facelifted the Golf for 2018!

    • Hreardon Hreardon on Apr 28, 2018

      The MK 7.5 has been on sale in Europe for over a year. The MK 8 is due to start production next summer, with a launch in September and on-sale most likely in November 2019 - for Europe. VW is pushing up the timeline a bit due to their profitability drive: there are a host of optimizations and new assembly techniques they want to put into production as soon as possible. Usually the US lags at least 12 months behind the EU launch, but this time around may be different. Word on the street is that VW wants to remove Golf production from the Puebla factory to make room for more CUVs. That would push manufacture of Golfs for the US market elsewhere - possibly back to Germany in an effort to satisfy union demands. In any event, don't expect to see a MK8 here in the US until 2020 at the earliest.

  • Ricky Spanish Ricky Spanish on Apr 30, 2018

    Great. More weight and more expensive crap to fix when it inevitably breaks.

  • Lorenzo Heh. The major powers, military or economic, set up these regulators for the smaller countries - the big guys do what they want, and always have. Are the Chinese that unaware?
  • Lorenzo The original 4-Runner, by its very name, promised something different in the future. What happened?
  • Lorenzo At my age, excitement is dangerous. one thing to note: the older models being displayed are more stylish than their current versions, and the old Subaru Forester looks more utilitarian than the current version. I thought the annual model change was dead.
  • Lorenzo Well, it was never an off-roader, much less a military vehicle, so let the people with too much money play make believe.
  • EBFlex The best gift would have been a huge bonfire of all the fak mustangs in inventory and shutting down the factory that makes them.Heck, nobody would even have to risk life and limb starting the fire, just park em close together and wait for the super environmentally friendly EV fire to commence.
Next