Thought of the Day: Why Doesn’t VW Have a Hybrid Vehicle?

Posted on August 24, 2011 by yiqi

Why doesn’t VW have a hybrid car of some sort?

It’s a valid question. I mean, they have one of the most efficient engines around. Their multiple award winning “Engine of The Year 2008″ runs on 1.4L, and yet pushes out 122 bhp at 5,000 rpm. Compare this with the 100 bhp pushed out at 5,200 rpm by the Prius’ engine, with another 80 bhp or so equivalent by the “Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor”.

Now, if you’re not familiar with the history of the hybrid electric vehicle, the first gasoline-electric hybrid automobile in the world was developed in 1900 by Mr. Ferdinand Porsche, who happens to be the founder of Dr. req. h. c. F. Porsche GmbH, Konstruktionen und Beratungen für Motoren und Fahrzeugbau, better known as Porsche Automobil Holding SE.

For those unfamiliar with the automobile industry, Porsche Automobil Holding SE also holds plurality stake in Volkswagen AG, the guys responsible for the VWs you see running around all over the place in Singapore.

Now, I’m a simple man. I don’t know much. I don’t have insider information on anything or anyone. I’m not a big-shot CEO or an engineer, I don’t even own a car. But simple logic dictates that there is something distinctly illogical about the whole situation we have here.

Here are my arguments:

1. As the innovator of the technology powering the world’s preeminent hybrid vehicle, one would imagine that Mr. Porsche would like to see some of his cars using his genius. Also, with a head-start of about 100 years, the fine engineers of Porsche (and I say this without a shred of cynicism or sarcasm) would most definitely be able to come up with a hybrid drive train that would kick the Prius’ behind.
2. Being owned by Porsche SE, one would imagine that the fine guys at VW AG would have access to said technology secretly being developed by the engineers of Porsche. As a result, they would be able to add an electric motor that ups their total power to over 200 bhp, while simultaneously reducing their cars’ emissions by a significant percentage.
3. Having one of the best engines available that one can buy, it only makes sense to improve upon the best to stay ahead of the game, combining the best of all the technologies available in the automobile industry to create the mother of all hybrid cars. I salivate with anticipation.
4. Clean diesel? Really? That’s the technology you’re backing?

Oh wait, they’re already doing it. Forget the entire post. Ignore me.