The drive components
Extended plug-in hybrid range. Volkswagen will offer the new Golf in two plug-in hybrid versions in future: as Golf eHybrid and Golf GTE models. The predecessor had been available as a Golf GTE version only. The new Golf eHybrid offers a system power of 150 kW (204 PS) and a system torque of 350 Nm and is available in the exclusive Style equipment line, reflecting its comfort-oriented positioning. The new Golf GTE is positioned as a very sporty model. The design, setup and equipment of this version create a bridge to the Golf GTI. The system power of 180 kW (245 PS) and system torque of 400 Nm are also oriented towards this iconic model. With this greater bandwidth of plug-in hybrid models, Volkswagen is meeting the needs of a continuously growing number of customers who are today deciding in favour of a model with this intelligent and versatile drive system.
50 percent larger battery. Compared with the predecessor, the energy content of the battery for the new plug-in hybrid models has been increased significantly – by no less than 50 percent to 13 kWh. This offers the advantage of a much longer electric range. This has increased to up to 80 kilometres.
Combination of E and TSI. For propulsion, both models use the combination of a 1.4-litre TSI engine (EA211) with 110 kW (150 PS) and an electric drive motor of the HEM80evo type, which generates a peak power output of up to 80 kW (110 PS). The TSI develops a torque of 250 Nm and the electric drive motor produces 330 Nm. In the case of the Golf GTE, a dedicated software application makes it possible to obtain an even higher system output and also a more powerful system torque from this drive combination, thus permitting realisation of the performance typical for a GTE model. Independently of the power output, both plug-in hybrid models comply with the Euro 6d-ISC-FCM emission standard and the highest efficiency class A+.
Starting in E-MODE. Both Golf models are designed so that they can cover short distances in particular using purely electric power. That is why they always start in E-MODE when the battery is sufficiently charged. In this way, the Golf eHybrid and Golf GTE automatically become zero emission vehicles at the start of every journey. People who often drive short distances and do not make long journeys frequently will not have to visit a petrol station very often.
Long distances in Hybrid mode. On longer journeys and above speeds of 130 km/h, the powerful electric motor supports the efficient petrol engine (TSI). Here, the optimised interaction between electric motor and combustion engine boosts efficiency. In other words, electric energy can be used for all-electric driving, for driving as a hybrid vehicle, or also to improve performance in the Golf eHybrid and Golf GTE. The electric assistance has the effect of an additional booster. The new lithium-ion high-voltage battery – located in the vehicle floor in front of the rear axle – supplies the electric motor with power. A power electronics module converts the direct current of the battery into alternating current for the electric motor. For power transmission, both Golf models are equipped with an automatic 6-speed dual-clutch gearbox (DQ400E) developed especially for use in hybrid vehicles. Only the front axle is driven in each case.
Two instead of five operating modes. The high-voltage battery can be charged via the external power grid or by the TSI engine and recuperation during the journey. In order to be able to travel in E-MODE in a town at the end of a longer trip, Volkswagen has reconfigured the operating modes of the hybrid system and therefore simplified battery recharging during the journey. Instead of five operating modes like in the predecessor, there are now only two: E-MODE (all-electric driving) and Hybrid (automatic or manual changeover between electric motor and TSI engine). The two previous Battery Hold (maintaining battery charge level) and Battery Charge (charge battery via TSI) modes have been integrated into the Hybrid mode. The previous GTE mode is now covered by the Sport driving profile in both models; in the Golf GTE, a higher system torque and higher system power are also available here.
Infotainment display – hybrid functions and displays
Scalable battery energy storage. The Golf eHybrid and Golf GTE are equipped as standard with 10.0-inch digital instruments (Digital Cockpit Pro), an infotainment display also with a size of 10.0 inches, and a multifunction steering wheel. There are also centrally located digital touch panels with direct access buttons for intuitive and simple operation. To charge the battery while driving, the driver can open the “Drive mode” selection menu either via the Mode direct access button under the air conditioning control panel or via the infotainment system. E-MODE and Hybrid mode are located here centrally on the uppermost level for selection by the driver. If the driver selects the Hybrid option, a battery with ten scale steps (0 to 100 percent) is then displayed showing the current charge level. The driver can recognise the charge level intuitively by the number of battery segments that are lit up in light blue. Next to the battery is a symbol with a stylised gear wheel. The driver can then access manual Hybrid mode by tapping on this symbol. The driver now has the option of maintaining the battery charge level (via the equals sign “=”) or can increase it (up arrow “Ù”) or lower it to a defined level (down arrow “Ú”) in steps of 20 percent. To exit manual Hybrid mode again and use both drives automatically once more, the driver simply has to tap on the battery.
Standard driving profile selection. The driving profile selection with the profiles Eco, Comfort, Sport and Individual is located under the same menu option below the drive modes. In Sport mode, parameters such as the drive characteristics, engine sound, steering response or Adaptive Cruise Control are configured so that they are especially dynamic. In Eco mode, all systems through to the air conditioning system are operated with maximum energy efficiency, while in Comfort mode they are adjusted to offer maximum comfort. In Individual mode, all parameters right up to light assistance can be adjusted manually. If the Golf is equipped with DCC adaptive chassis control, the driver can also individually adjust the running gear from very comfortable through to extremely sporty by means of a digital slider.
Digital Cockpit Pro – hybrid functions and displays
Three basic layouts. In the Digital Cockpit Pro, the driver can choose between three different basic layouts by means of the “View” digital steering wheel button. First: a classic layout with outer round instruments and a central display. Second: a reduced layout with square outer fields and an also centrally located display. Third: the navigation layout, where the map extends in the background over the entire display, but also with the two reduced information fields on the left and right.
Power meter as central display. In the Digital Cockpit Pro, the starting readiness (READY), battery charge flow (discharge, charge, hold) and the overall range (fuel tank and battery), among other things, are displayed at the bottom edge in both plug-in hybrid models. Instead of a rev counter, a power meter (located on the left) is always active in the layout with classic round instruments. The left half of this scale shows whether the vehicle is consuming electric power (Power / blue area) or feeding electric energy into the battery through brake energy recuperation (Charge / green area); the right half of the scale shows the engine speed of the TSI engine. If the engine speed is zero, this is an additional indication for the driver that the vehicle is driving under purely electric power or coasting. If the driver uses the electric drive motor as an additional booster for strong acceleration, this is also displayed (Boost).
New GTE view. The Golf GTE offers a special feature. Here the driver can activate a fourth basic layout by means of the “View” button: the GTE display. Here, the middle of the display features a large central power meter (again with Charge, Power, Boost and rpm displays) as a round instrument – the letters GTE are displayed in the centre in blue. In this case, the round instruments on the left and right are correspondingly reduced in size. The graphic display with the central power meter is a digital tribute to the cockpit instruments of classic sports cars.
Easy selection of a wide range of information. Using the arrow buttons in the right spoke of the multifunction steering wheel and an OK button positioned centrally there with a confirmation function, the driver can assign different general and hybrid-specific displays to the three basic displays – left, centre, right – in the Digital Cockpit Pro. Possible displays include the charge level of the battery in percent or the remaining ranges with TSI engine and electric drive motor. It is also possible to quickly and easily call up displays such as the average consumption or the media library track display. The driver alone decides which instrument shows which information. All these settings are not normally changed all the time but – like on a smartphone – are configured once according to personal taste or needs and then stored for the respective driver.