What's the news?
Volkswagen has announced that, like other manufacturers, it will electrify all its models going forward, starting with a mild hybrid Golf for the forthcoming eighth-generation version of the popular hatchback.
The introduction of hybrid systems on all Volkswagens was announced at the International Vienna Motor Symposium, an important congress on automotive technology, both today and in the future.
Dr Frank Welsch, member of the board of management for Volkswagen Passenger Cars with responsibility for Technical Development, said: "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 48-volt mild hybrid will pave the way for introducing this type of technology to the mainstream."
The 48V system, already seen on some Audi and Porsche models, combines the combustion engine with a belt-integrated starter-generator and a 48V battery, separate to the regular 12V battery you get in most cars. This mild hybrid system allows the Volkswagen it is fitted with to coast with the engine switched off, saving up to 0.3 litres/100km. It also provides an electric boost on start-up, to promote smoother driving dynamics.
Welsch continued: "The basic interaction of different energy sources - electricity, petrol, diesel and natural gas - represents a paradigm shift at Volkswagen. For the first time, the company will simultaneously offer product lines such as the Golf with conventional, electrically assisted drives, as well as product lines such as the ID with purely electrical drives in the future."
Both the next-generation Golf, including its hybrid system, and the first ID model (see below) will be launched in 2019.
Anything else?
Volkswagen already has commitments to an entirely electric range of vehicles sold as a sub-brand under the ID banner, while you can already buy pure electric vehicles from the company already, like the e-Golf. The latest announcement, however, relates to electrification of cars with some form of combustion engine onboard as well.