German automaker Volkswagen (VW) will equip its eighth-generation Golf with 48-volt (48V) mild hybrid system in 2019, the company announced in a press release on 25 April. VW said the hybrid program for the next Golf is the starting point for the comprehensive electrification of conventional drives, and that it will gradually electrify almost every vehicle in its range of models.
“Electrifying conventional drives will enable us to further reduce consumption and emissions while also increasing dynamics and convenience. We are starting this extensive electrification campaign with Volkswagen’s best-selling vehicle to date – the Golf. Our newly developed, cost-effective 48V mild hybrid will pave the way for introducing this type of technology to the mainstream,” said Frank Welsch, member of the board of management for VW Passenger Cars with responsibility for Technical Development.
Significance: In the new Golf, VW will combine the combustion engine with a 48V belt-integrated starter-generator and a 48V battery. The system will allow the car to “coast” with the combustion engine completely switched off, thereby saving up to 0.3 liters of fuel over 100 kilometres. The 48V system stores much more energy than the regular 12V system through recuperation, which enables a number of operations, including the actuation of the 48V belt-integrated starter-generator. The power of the generator is transferred via a belt that immediately increases drive torque upon start-up by means of an electric boost. The system improves fuel efficiency and reduces emission levels on just a nominal additional cost.
