In an effort to bring even more efficiency to the Volkswagen range, the boffins at Wolfsburg have mated its V6 TSI petrol engine with an electric powertrain and a new eight-speed automatic transmission.  Installed in the Touareg, Volkswagen claims the big SUV will offer 248kW and a 9.05L/100km fuel economy figure.

The electric motor in the Touareg V6 TSI Hybrid adds 38kW to the mix, and will give the Touareg the ability to travel up to 50km/h on electric power alone.  When maximum torque and power are needed – the Touareg Hybrid is expected to be the only hybrid with a 3.5 metric ton towing capacity – the electric motor and the V6 TSI engine operate in unison, offering a temporary boost to 275kW and 550Nm of torque.

Continuing the theme, Volkswagen will also offer three new efficiency-focused Passat models in 2010.

• The 110kW dual-fuel TSI EcoFuel Passat - which can run on either natural gas, petrol, or a combination of the two – will offer a fuel economy figure as low as 4.5L/100km.
• The 105kW BlueTDI Passat will be powered by a common-rail turbo-diesel engine, offering a fuel economy of 5.2L/100km.
• The Passat BlueMotion will be packed with fuel-saving technologies such as an engine start-stop system, regenerative brakes, and an advanced catalytic converter.

While more details on the BlueMotion will be revealed closer to its launch, it’s clear that Volkswagen intends to take the fight to its competitors in 2010.

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