More Details Emerge From VW Regarding the Golf Blue E-motion Electric Vehicle - Now Scheduled For 2014

VW Golf Blue-E-motion

Volkswagen has provided an update on its Golf blue-e-motion electric vehicle, now scheduled to arrive on the market in 2014. At the presentation of the concept in Germany earlier this year, VW had said the EV would launch on the market in 2013.

The EV is driven by an electric motor integrated in the front engine compartment with a maximum power output of 85 kW (115 PS, 112 hp) and a continuous power output of 50 kW (69 PS, 67 hp), with 270 N·m (199 lb-ft) torque, powered by a 26.5 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Top speed is now 135 km/h (84 mpg), versus 140 km/h (87 mph) announced earlier this year. The projected driving range of 150 km (93 miles) remains the same as earlier announced. Power output and top speed are dependent upon the selection of driving profile (below). Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h is 11.8 seconds.

At the car’s production launch, Volkswagen will announce final driving range data of the production version, which it expects to be “significantly improved” with the battery technology to be used in the future. In many locales, VW points out, the needs of commuters are already met by the 150 km range. In Germany, for example, according to the German Federal Statistical Office, 6 of every 10 people in the workforce commute by car. On average, 45.8% drive less than 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) (one-way commute), another 28.1% between 10 and 25 kilometers (6.2 to 15.5 miles) and 16.2% more than 25 kilometers.

The concept car’s 30 battery modules—comprising 180 lithium-ion cells—were installed in spaces adapted to the vehicle architecture: in the floor of the trunk (fully usable cargo capacity: 275 liters, 9.7 ft³), under the rear bench seat and in the center tunnel of the underbody (between the front seats). A separate air cooling system ensures a constant thermal environment in the battery compartment.

The driver can see how much energy is being demanded at any given moment on the kW gauge (replaces the classic tachometer); drivers strive to keep the kW reading as low as possible practically intuitively. A range indicator is also integrated in this round instrument. The speedometer, located on the right side as usual, integrates another small gauge that provides information on the battery charge state.

A new feature is the display of regeneration intensity in the multifunction display between the kW instrument and the speedometer. In battery regeneration, the driver has the option of pre-setting the braking energy recovery strategy over four stages (D to D3) via the automatic gearshift lever or gearshift paddles on the steering wheel.

In the lowest stage (D), the car sails as soon as the driver’s foot leaves the electric pedal—now the Golf blue-e-motion moves with very low drag. The motor is controlled to the zero-torque curve so that the car can coast with the least possible drag; it is only slowed by the rolling resistance of the tires and air resistance. In the D3 stage, or B for braking, on the other hand, the maximum amount of kinetic energy is recovered and fed to the battery. In addition, the electrical energy consumption of the automatic climate control unit and its blower can be called up in the multifunction display.

Profiles. The driver select priorities in advance with drive profiles: between maximum range, maximum comfort and maximum dynamics. The selected profile then pre-configures the power of the electric motor, air conditioning control, maximum speed and battery regeneration strategy.

The Golf blue-e-motion offers the three profiles “Normal,” “Comfort+” and “Range+”. In the Comfort+ profile, the full 85 kW of power is available; in this mode the Golf blue-e-motion can attain the specified top speed of 135 km/h. When the driver activates the Normal mode, power is reduced to 65 kW and top speed is lowered to 115 km/h (71 mph). In the Range+ mode the engine controller limits power to 50 kW; in this case, the car can reach a maximum speed of 105 km/h (65 mph). At the same time, the air conditioning system is completely deactivated. The selected profile is shown in the multifunction display.

Packaging. All key primary and secondary drive components were integrated in the front engine compartment. In arriving at this design, developers applied experience they had gained in numerous design studies. As in the Up! blue-e-motion concept car, for example, an integral form of electric drive is used in the Golf blue-e-motion. Core components of the integral drive are the lightweight 80 kg electric motor together with a transmission and differential.

Energy management is handled by a high-voltage pulse-controlled inverter that is integrated in the compact integral drive along with the 12 Volt electrical system’s DC/DC converter and charging module. The entire unit is relatively light and compact; the five-door and five-seat Golf blue-e-motion weighs just 205 kg more than a comparable Golf BlueMotion TDI with DSG.

VW Discloses Big Plans For Electric Vehicles in the Near Term

VW Blue E-Motion Electric Golf










VW has gone from the sidelines of the electric car revolution to the front of the pack, albeit a tad late. As we know, there will be many EV's and PHEV's in showrooms yet this year but Volkswagen is now announcing they will have at least three models by 2013. That is jumping into the fray with a big splash. We cannot wait until the time comes that we will be able to walk into any showroom and at least have one alternate energy vehicle to choose from.

From Gas2.0:

Over the last year we’ve seen and heard rather vague hints of Volkswagen’s strategy when it comes to electric cars, including the debut of their Up! City car last year in Frankfurt and then indications that it would be released at some point in the future along with another larger electric car meant for general use.

In the last couple of days, however, Volkswagen has presented a solidified plan for their ambitious electric vehicle rollout, and it appears that 2013 is the big year for VW plug-ins. It will start with the introduction of a production version of the Up!, followed by an electric Golf and an electric Jetta later in the year. The vehicles will see near simultaneous rollouts in Germany, North America and other key markets (presumably most of Europe).

All of VW’s new plug-ins will be labeled with the ‘Blue-E-Motion’ moniker to set them apart from their non-electric ilk. Details are sparse right now, but apparently the Golf Blue-E-Motion will be based on the current sixth generation Golf (Mark VI as it’s known in the industry) and will have an in-house designed “single-gear” gearbox driving the front wheels powered by a 115 HP electric motor mounted in the front.

The whole system will get juice from a 26.5 kWh lithium ion battery pack that VW is saying will provide a range of 93 miles. As with many of these new plug-ins, the battery pack is mounted underneath the floor of the car to keep the center of gravity low. Although the Golf Blue-E-Motion is a bit of a porker at 3,406 lbs., VW says that it will still get from 0-62 mph in under 12 seconds and have a top speed limited to 87 mph. 500 prototypes of the electric Golf will be built for a internal testing in 2011.

No news on the the electric Jetta yet, but in the past VW has stated the tiny Up! city car will be equivalent in size to a Smart ForTwo and have an 18 kWh battery, an 83 mile range, a 0-60 time of 11.3 seconds, and a top speed of 84 mph.

I’ll be watching intently to see what kind of price points these cars have when they go on sale in 3 years. By then the Nissan LEAF, Volt and Mitsubishi i-MiEV will have had lots of time to get their toes wet in the EV market and battery prices should be steadily declining.