2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid

We knew it was coming, but that doesn’t mean we fully understand the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta hybrid, which was unveiled at the 2012 Detroit auto show. See, there’s that other fuel-efficient Jetta—the one that runs on diesel, supposedly the brand’s preferred alternative to hybrid power. You might think Volkswagen is trying to compete with itself, but this is all likely part of the company’s master plan for world domination—and there’s no underestimating the power of a hybrid badge.

A New Turbo Four

And so the new Jetta hybrid is on its way, carrying some pretty impressive numbers. It’s powered by a new turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder—so new, in fact, that VW can’t tell us much about it other than to say it’s very different from the naturally aspirated and twincharged (turbo- and supercharged)1.4-liters currently offered in Europe. In this first application, the lightweight engine will produce 150 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque and be coupled to a 27-hp electric motor. The combined output of 170 hp will be sent through a seven-speed DSG transmission, making it the first hybrid to use a dual-clutch automatic. Juice for the electric motor is supplied by a 1.1-kWh battery pack that can be found behind the rear seat; the fan-cooled unit weighs less than 80 pounds.

Like other VW Group hybrids, including the gas-electric Touareg, the Jetta’s system uses a clutch to decouple the gas engine from the drivetrain, which allows the engine to shut off and the car to “coast” on electricity at speeds up to 84 mph. Additionally, the driver can select an electric-only E-mode via a button next to the shift lever; this forced gas-free propulsion is limited to 1.2 miles and a maximum of 44 mph.

The Other Specs

So, what about those all-important fuel-economy numbers? VW has only released an estimate of the Jetta’s EPA combined rating: 45 mpg. That betters the 2012 Honda Civic hybrid’s 44-mpg combined score (it gets 44 mpg city/ 44 highway). The Jetta TDI, for reference, is rated at 34 mpg combined (30/42 mpg).

But VW isn’t prepared to stop at simply creating a very miserly Jetta. No, it aspires to produce the quickest hybrid in its class. Select the transmission’s sport mode or just mash the accelerator past the kickdown point, and the Jetta will apply everything it’s got, good for 60 mph from a stop in less than nine seconds, says VW. With a claimed curb weight of “less than 3310 pounds” this seems feasible, as we’ve clocked a 220-pound-lighter, 170-hp Jetta 2.5 with the conventional six-speed automatic at 8.4 seconds to 60 mph.

Hybrid Touches

Visually, the Jetta hybrid is set apart from its siblings by a few aero modifications—including a new front air dam, a rear diffuser, and a spoiler—which combine for a claimed 10-percent reduction in drag. The car rides on unique 15-inch wheels, and hybrid badges dot the grille, the front fenders, and the trunklid. Inside, the Jetta hybrid will be pretty conventional; a “power meter” replaces the tachometer and the multifunction display in the instrument cluster shows special hybrid-y information. VW says the cabin should be hushed thanks to a new exhaust system (a basic requirement on account of the new engine), plus upgraded acoustic glass for the windshield along with thicker side windows.

When the Jetta hybrid goes on sale toward the end of this year, it will be offered in three trim levels, all of which will carry as standard features like Bluetooth, LED taillights, and satellite radio. A sampling of optional equipment includes xenon headlights, LED running lights, a power driver’s seat, navigation, a rear camera, and VW’s Fender audio system. Pricing has not yet been released, but VW says the Jetta hybrid will have a sticker competitive with those of other compact hybrids; figure somewhere between $25K and $30K.

2012 Mazda 3 Sport GS-Sky

In the next few years, all Mazda’s vehicles will incorporate the company’s new fuel-saving “SkyActiv” technologies which encompass significant changes to Mazda’s engines, transmissions, suspensions and body structures. These engineering upgrades are designed to improve fuel economy and reduce emissions without sacrificing performance and fun-to-drive characteristics. At least, that’s the theory!

The first vehicle to include some, but not all, of these SkyActiv upgrades is the 2012 Mazda3 Sedan and Sport (hatchback); specifically, the mid-level Mazda3 GS-Sky trim. It offers an all-new 2.0-litre four-cylinder SkyActiv-G engine, and newly available SkyActiv-MT six-speed manual and SkyActiv-Drive six-speed automatic transmissions. Additional SkyActiv technology upgrades to the Mazda3’s suspension and body will come in next year’s model.

The mid-level GS-Sky trim is the only Mazda3 to receive the SkyActiv improvements this year. Base Mazda3 GX and regular GS models continue to use last year’s 2.0-litre engine and five-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmissions, while the top-of-the-line GT model continues with the larger 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with standard six-speed manual or optional five-speed automatic transmissions.

The new SkyActiv 2.0-litre engine employs a number of technology advancements to improve fuel consumption while also increasing horsepower and torque slightly. Direct fuel injection with multi-hole fuel injectors for each cylinder enhances the fuel spray pattern for more efficient combustion; new piston cavity shapes shorten combustion time and reduce engine knocking; dual sequential valve timing decreases pumping losses; and a high compression ratio of 12:0:1 delivers more horsepower and torque: now 155 at 6,000 rpm and 148 lb.-ft. at 4,100 rpm vs the current engine’s 148 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 135 lb.-ft. at 4,500 rpm. The new SkyActiv 2.0-litre engine is also about two kilograms lighter than the other 2.0-litre engine.

In addition, the new SkyActiv-Drive six-speed automatic transmission itself contributes to a four to seven per cent improvement in fuel economy due to a new torque converter with a lock-up clutch design, a more advanced electronic control module, and of course, the extra sixth gear. The SkyActiv-MT six-speed manual transmission also offers shorter throws, fewer components and a lighter weight.

As a result of these improvements, the fuel economy of the 2012 Mazda3 GS-Sky is at or near the top of its class. Equipped with the SkyActiv engine and automatic transmission, the 2012 Mazda3 GS-Sky sedan’s fuel economy is officially rated at a miserly 7.2 city/4.9 hwy (L/100 km). That’s a 17 per cent improvement over the 2012 GX/GS sedan with the older 2.0-litre engine and a five-speed automatic which offers 8.7 city/6.0 hwy. With the manual six-speed transmission, the 2012 GS-Sky sedan is rated at 7.6 city/5.0 hwy, a 15 per cent improvement compared to the 2012 GX/GS sedan with 8.7 city/6.0 hwy.

The Mazda3 Sport GS-Sky hatchback model uses slightly more fuel, but not much. The Sport GS-Sky automatic offers 7.2 city/5.1 hwy, a 10 per cent improved when compared with the Sport GX/GS automatic with 8.1 city/5.9 hwy; if you opt for the six-speed manual transmission, the Sport GS-Sky gets 7.6 city/5.1 hwy, a 14 per cent improvement over the Sport GX/GS manual with 8.7 city/6.0 hwy.

Compared to most of its competitors, the Mazda3 Sport GS-Sky offers better fuel economy. Traditional fuel misers in the hatchback category include the Toyota Matrix and Ford Focus. The Matrix with the base 1.8-litre engine and optional four-speed automatic transmission offers 8.1 city/6.3 hwy while the Ford Focus hatch with its new direct-injection 2.0-litre engine and optional six-speed automatic gets a respectable 7.3 city/5.2 hwy, just a little more than the Mazda3 GS-Sky. That leaves the Mazda3 Sport GS-Sky as the most fuel efficient compact hatchback in its class; and in its price range, the most powerful hatchback too – with the exception of the 160-hp Focus hatch.

POWER AND EFFICIENCY TO THE PEOPLE WITH THE NEW 2012 RENALUT MEGANE

With a total of 730,000 units sold, Renault is betting on their affordable and hugely popular Megane when it comes to sales. So keeping up on the quality, refinement and reliability is crucial for the annual revenue. The MY 2012 Megane receives minor changes on the outside and inside and it also debuts three new start/stop engines which return stunning fuel economy figures.

The exterior changes are pretty standard with the LED daytime running lights, a black glossy bumper with chrome lining and a complete revision on wheel selection. Inside new trim levels are available including a two-toned leather pack available for customers in the UK.

Newly F1-engineer-developed engines are now being employed in the fresh lineup of MY 2012 Meganes. We have two downsized diesels – a 1.5 dCi with 260 Nm of torque, 110 hp and a whopping figure of 80.7 mpg (combined). Carbon dioxide emissions are down to  90g/km. Then there’s the 1.6 dCi with 130 hp, 320 Nm of torque and a combined fuel range of 70 mpg. That fuel efficiency is courtesy to the Stop & Start and brake energy recuperation systems that come with the diesels.

Th engine that takes the spotlight however, is the TCe 115 – this is the first petrol engine in a Renault that incorporates direct injection and a turbocharger at the same time. The engine block is 400 cubic centimetres smaller than the previous 1.6 16-valved one but overall power is up by 5 hp making a total of 115 hp. In fact, it is said to be the most powerful 1.2 engine in the world. And as it turns out it may be the most economical as well for it too makes use of the Start & Stop system usually reserved for diesels. Therefore we have 53.3 mpg on the combined cycle and 119 g/km of carbon dioxide emissions.

Worry not because, cleverness goes beyond the engine bay as the Megane has some neat driver aids like the Hill Start Assist function which holds down the brakes for a while on attempting to start off on a steep hill. The decision to let in air from outside or cycle the one inside is left to a computer which measures the air quality of the surrounding air. The Renault Visio System on the other hand is basically a camera attached to the rear-view mirror, scanning the road ahead and alarming for things like lane changing etc. It also analyses the visibility conditions outside and decides alone when to put on high-beams or low-beams.

The R.S. Line also gets an update with new a new leathery interior sewn by red stitching, a sportier steering wheel, branded door sill guards and a distinctive dashboard trim strip – the genetic code of the Renaultsport dynasty. On the outside, the R.S. gets specially designed, curvy LED lights which further assert the MY 2012 Megane’s aggressive stance.

And now there’s an anniversary model called the Renaultsport 265 and as the name suggests it develops 265 hp (15 more than the previous one). Further down the road, for a more complete sporty feel, the engineers at Renault have fiddled with the exhaust system with the result being a more satisfying tone. Distinctive features of the 265 include an F1 styled front blade garnished with rows of LED’s, and fresh 18 inch wheels as well as the 19 inch ones now incorporate R.S branding at their centres. Customers can op for redlining on the diffuser, front blade and the side sills while inside a two tone leather upholstery can be added consisting of light grey and charcoal.

Source: Renault