VW New Compact Coupe / VW Golf Coupe Hybrid revealed

VW has unveiled the New Compact Coupe at Detroit - a Golf Coupe Hybrid

Volkswagen has revealed the New Compact Coupe at the Detroit Motor Show, a full hybrid Coupe based on the Golf platform.

Yes, they’re one and the same, the VW New Compact Coupe and the VW Golf Coupe. The first is the teaser name, but the second is the reality. This is a Coupe version of the VW Golf and will come complete with a proper hybrid system and will sit above the Scirocco in the Volkswagen range.

The Golf Coupe Hybrid comes with a 1.4 litre TSI complete with turbo and 150bhp coupled to a 27bhp electric motor. Power is drive through a seven speed DSG ‘box. And that electric motor is capable of driving the Golf Coupe all in its own, making this a full hybrid. Performance is more than credible with 0-60mph in 8.1 seconds and a top speed of 140mph. And it is economical too – 56mpg average and CO2 emissions at 98g/km.

There’s a few clever tricks to help the emissions and economy. When the Golf Coupe is run in electric mode the engine switches off completely and disengages the clutch. And if you lift off the throttle – even at motorway speeds – the DSG ‘box gets disengaged allowing the Golf Coupe to ‘Sail’, again reducing fuel consumption (Porsche have a similar system on the new Cayenne Hybrid).

A raft of the usual ‘Eco’ tricks are also employed, including regenerative braking (with the energy recovered stored in the Lithium Ion battery pack) and stop-start.

It seems likely that the New Compact Coupe will see the light of day in 2012 as the Golf Coupe / Jetta Coupe. Full VW waffle is in the VW New Compact Coupe Press Release.