Volkswagen is looking beyond its upcoming release of the Touareg hybrid SUV with the New Compact Coupe (NCC) hybrid. The NCC hybrid concept was unveiled last week at the 2010 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. As the Touareg hybrid hits streets by summer 2010, Volkswagen will incorporate elements of the NCC into future hybrid models. As pictured above, the NCC represents Volkswagen’s desire to blend better fuel mileage with the automaker’s sleek aesthetics.
The NCC hybrid drive system is built with a 1.4-liter TSI engine, a 20kW electric motor and a 1.1 kWh lithium-ion battery. Volkswagen designed the electric motor to act as the primary power source for short periods of all-electric power. The motor also works with the TSI engine to amplify the coupe’s power for highway driving. Drivers of the NCC hybrid would be able to increase fuel mileage as the TSI engine disengages from the transmission during extended periods of deceleration. The NCC hybrid also features a seven-speed direct shift gearbox to improve shifting efficiency without sacrificing performance.
Volkswagen notes that the NCC hybrid would achieve 45 miles per gallon based on EPA estimates. The maximum speed of the NCC hybrid is 141 miles per hour, which matches top speeds of other coupes on the market. This hybrid concept could also reach 60 miles per hour from a dead stop in 8.1 seconds, promising excellent acceleration to hybrid skeptics. If the NCC hybrid went from concept to production, it could easily compete with other sports coupes on the market today.
Fans of Volkswagen will see NCC hybrid elements like regenerative braking and stop-start systems incorporated into future models. The regenerative braking system allows the battery to store energy from the brake system to reduce gas consumption. The NCC hybrid features a stop-start system that shuts down the engine during full stops, thereby eliminating fuel consumption while idling. Volkswagen looks poised to overtake the American Big Three and other automakers in the growing hybrid market. The German automaker is still behind in terms of fuel cell and all-electric vehicles but the NCC hybrid shows promise. If the hybrid version of the Touareg is successful, look for Volkswagen to accelerate its hybrid plans to strike while the iron is hot.
