2013 Jetta Hybrid Pricing Plus a Whole Lot More

[xcel]

The silence of Hybridization reaches the North American Jetta lineup.

Wayne Gerdes - CleanMPG - Oct. 3, 2012

2013 VW Jetta Hybrid - $24,995 to start and a 45 mpgUS combined rating.

Volkswagen first provided us with what we found to be the most fuel efficient cross country automobile available in all of North America in the form of the 2013 VW Passat TDI with the 6-speed stick. This morning the company releases even more on its upcoming 2013 Jetta Hybrid including the fact the direct-injected and turbo-charged 1.4L is mated to the single 27 HP electric traction motor and powering the wheels via the company’s latest seven-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission. The combination has a combined output of 170 HP and 184 lb-ft. of torque.

VW claims the Jetta hybrid can be driven up to 44 mph for a distance of up to 1.2 miles whereas what we believe to be the tour de force is the ability to glide with the engine shut down and the 7-speed DSG decoupled from the front drive wheels at essentially any speed similar to the VW Touareg and Porsche Panamera S Hybrids.

In addition to the base capabilities and speculated ones above, the hybrid powertrain combination will allow the Jetta Hybrid to hit 60 in less than 9 seconds for those that feel the need for a little speed! Whoever they are???

Base through SEL Premium Trims

The base Hybrid is said to be available by order only and arrives with the aforementioned 1.4L TSI engine; hybrid drivetrain, seven-speed dual-clutch DSG automatic transmission; front and rear discs; Daytime Running Lights; power and heated exterior mirrors;15” alloys with all-season tires; rear spoiler and rear diffuser; unique grille; hybrid badging on all sides; power windows with one-touch up/down; hybrid interior accents; six-way manually adjustable front seats; Climatronic automatic climate-control; Bluetooth technology; auxiliary input jack; trip computer; RCD 310 radio with CD player and six speakers; leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel; 60/40 folding rear seat; tilt/telescoping steering wheel column; temperature display; and front, side and Side Curtain Protection airbags.

The 2013 Jetta Hybrid SE starts at $26,990 and in addition to the base equipment adds: LED taillights; power recline front seats; Media-Device Interface (MDI) and iPod cable; Premium VIII touchscreen radio with color energy flow display in center console; SiriusXM Satellite Radio; and keyless access with push-button start.

The 2013 Jetta Hybrid SEL has an MSRP of $29,325 and features 16” Alloys, a power tilt and slide sunroof; RNS 315 radio and navigation; heated front washer nozzles; heated front seats; and a six-way power driver’s seat.

The 2013 Jetta Hybrid SEL Premium retails for $31,180 and adds to the SEL Bi-Xenon headlights with LED Daytime Running Lights (DRLs), Active Front-Lighting System (AFS); foglights with cornering light; 17” alloys with all-season tires; the Fender Premium Audio System with subwoofer; and a rearview camera.

The 2013 VW Jetta Hybrid will go on sale sometime in the fourth quarter of 2012. Meaning at anytime between now and the end of the month possibly?

All prices exclude destination charges of $795 per vehicle.

So what is it capable of? I have no idea but it will be interesting to find out!

Will it bring the TDI faithful a welcome addition to the fold or a competitive drivetrain to be outcast to the depths of hell? I think it does not really matter as more choice means more opportunity for sales and in the end, wouldn't we all want to see someone driving a future 42 mpgUS highway rated Jetta TDI or 45 mpg combined Jetta Hybrid than the 95% of far less fuel efficient automobiles they could be driving?

[WriConsult]

Sounds pretty intriguing, and despite the greater complexity than an HSD system it sounds promising for us hypermilers ... between the bigger pack and a real Neutral gear (not something emulated by feeding juice back from MG2 to spin MG1 and avoid sending spinning the engine).

Personally I think this will bring in new buyers, who previously either had non-VWs or gas VWs. I don't think many folks currently buying VW diesels are going to make the switch, even if the city FE is going to be quite a bit better.

I mentioned this car to my wife and the first thing she said was "VW ... electrical problems?" She loves her VW diesel, and might well buy another one when the time comes, but VW is probably the last company she would trust to build a car with the electrical complexity of a hybrid.

I'm guessing the "base" $25k Jetta hybrid will be comparable to the "Level I" Prius that they made for a couple of years ... I bet they'll make a few dozen of them but most of us will never be able to get our hands on one (let alone find one sitting on a lot where we can negotiate the price down).

Which means the SE is probably the minimum level in reality. It includes a bunch of upgrades I sure wouldn't want ... with the possibly exception of power-reclining front seats. VW is the only car where I'd want this feature. Adjusting the recline on our Golf (and former Jetta Wagon) requires turning this big, fiddly, balky knob on the side of the seat, rather than pulling up a release lever and instantly moving the seat to whatever you want as on every normal car built in the last 20 years. Each turn of a VW knob adjust the seat angle maybe a degree or two, so going from full upright to full recline takes MANy turns, and more than a full minute. Absolutely INSANE!

Any idea if this drivetrain will come to the other, more interesting variants of this platform? I.e., the Golf and the Jetta Wagon? Not that I'd buy one anyway, after my VW experiences. Oh, and here's an important question to ask about any hybrid sedan: DO THE REAR SEATS FOLD DOWN?!?

[bestmapman]

Can't wait for Wayne to get one to test out. I would probably make a special trip to help you break it in.

[herm]

November is here!.. someone brave enough to order one of these?

[Harold]

The normal ones are in being repaired a great deal, can you imagine the time this Hybrid will spend in the shop? H

[xcel]

Hi All:

While this is a non-calibrated result and in the mountains of Santa Fe, NM (186 mpg glide for 10.8-miles down and maybe 35 mpg for the 10.8 miles back up), look at the temperature. It was a morning 39 - 43 degrees drive. Meaning at 70 degrees, you closing on on 75 mpg... Who knows what it would do on a more mild topography.

It has the GLI independent suspension setup in the rear with a bit softer springs and handles "Best-in-Class" amongst the fuel efficient set anyone should consider.

Wayne

[Mendel Leisk]

Should

"VW claims the Jetta hybrid can be driven up to 44 mph for a distance of up to 1.2 miles"

read:

"VW claims the Jetta hybrid can be driven up to 44 mph for a distance of up to 1.2 miles in EV mode" ?