No-Compromise Performance: Driving the Jetta Hybrid
A few weeks ago I flew out to New Mexico to attend a media drive for the 2013 Jetta Hybrid. Volkswagen of America, Inc. holds these events whenever a new model is launched to allow the automotive press to experience the vehicles before they go on sale. I was lucky enough to snag an invite.
I landed in Albuquerque and immediately set off to Santa Fe – as I headed east, I was struck by the natural beauty of my surroundings. I-25 looked flat when I was driving but it turns out that there is about a 2,000 foot difference in elevation between the two cities.
When I arrived at the event space in Santa Fe, the entire venue had been transformed with Volkswagen signage and vehicle displays. We kicked off with a reception in a courtyard featuring the entire 2013 Jetta family, including the Jetta TDI® Clean Diesel, the Jetta GLI, and, to my surprise, the specially modified vehicle that set a hybrid land speed record at the Bonneville Flats earlier this year. We moved into a lounge area where we learned about the production Jetta Hybrid – particularly, the technology that makes it unique (more on that in a moment) and where Volkswagen feels the car will fit within the ultra-competitive hybrid market.
For a gearhead like me, it was pretty amazing to be in the same room as some of the most famous automotive journalists in the world. During the product presentation, Rainer Michel, Volkswagen’s Vice President for Product Marketing and Strategy, walked us through a Jetta Hybrid 101 where he discussed its unique powertrain as well as its position within the Jetta lineup. The Hybrid is the only model in its class with a turbocharged engine and a dual-clutch DSG® transmission, and it will achieve an EPA-estimated 42 mpg city / 48 highway although actual mileage may vary. Volkswagen believes the Jetta line up now offers something for everyone – two gasoline engines, a high performance option on the GLI, the ultra-high mileage TDI Clean Diesel and now a hybrid.
After an amazing dinner with the journalists and VW team I retired to bed so that I could wake up refreshed to get the most out of our drive. Everyone was up by seven the next morning and ready for a day of driving. I got the keys to a silver Jetta Hybrid in top of the line SEL Premium trim – it was loaded with standard features like Bluetooth® connectivity and automatic dual-zone climate control, but this model also had a navigation system with rearview camera, push button start, some pretty impressive hybrid-only alloy wheels, and new bi-xenon headlights with Volkswagen’s signature LED DRLs (new for 2013 and also available on the GLI).
In terms of appearance, the differences between the Jetta Hybrid and its siblings are subtle but purposeful. The hybrid has unique spoilers on the front and rear of the car that reduce aerodynamic drag, and there is subtle badging on the grille and decklid. The standout feature of the interior is the power meter that replaces the tachometer: based upon how you’re driving, the power meter indicates whether you are traveling solely on electric power or if the engine is assisting. It was pretty cool to watch as the Hybrid adjusted to my driving behavior.
Speaking of driving – I’ll just put it out there that driving the Jetta Hybrid is in no way like driving the other hybrids that I see so often in Southern California. It responded like a real driver’s car when I pushed it, accelerating quickly onto the highway – the DSG transmission and turbocharged engine are definitely a winning combination, so it should come as no surprise to anyone that VW was able to set a few speed records earlier this year.
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