Having already been named the world’s fastest hybrid back in August, the Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid return to the Bonneville Salt Flats last Friday (October 5) to claim the land speed record for a production car with an engine of less than 1.5 litres using forced induction.
Driven by Motor Trend’s Associate Road Test Editor, the Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid achieved an average of 186.313 mph over two runs during the Southern California Timing Association’s (SCTA) World Finals event, beating the previous record by 18.8mph.
In the course of making his second run, Lago averaged 187.147 mph for the last mile, beating the 185.394 mph set by the same car back in August-reaffirming its place in the record books as the world’s fastest production hybrid.
“We’re very proud that the Jetta Hybrid has not only posted the fastest speed for a hybrid at Bonneville, but that it has gone out and broken an SCTA land speed record as well,” said Jonathan Browning, CEO and President, Volkswagen Group of America. “Achieving this record at Bonneville shows that the all-new 2013 Jetta Hybrid is a distinctly different offering in the compact hybrid class, offering excellent fuel economy while retaining the fun-to-drive nature expected from a Volkswagen.”
Lago drove a Jetta Hybrid specially modified to run in the SCTA’s H/PS class although modifications were restricted as it runs in a production class. These modifications include lowered suspension, special Salt Flat wheels and tyres fitted, and the interior stripped and outfitted with full safety equipment, such as a rollcage, racing seat and harness, and a full fire suppression system and most importantly of all-horsepower was boosted to around 300 hp.
The all-new 2013 Jetta Hybrid, which unfortunately is not here in the UK, is fitted with a 1.4 litre turbocharged, direct-injection four-cylinder TSI petrol engine, a seven speed automatic transmission and an electric motor. The combined output of the engine and electric motor is 170 horsepower, along with 184 lb/ft of torque.
Faye has been writing about cars and environmental issues since 2007. A suspected eco-warrior working on the corporate inside, Faye mainly likes the weird, quirky vehicles that show a distinct environmental advantage. Her ideal car has enough room to fit a bale of hay in the boot. When not working, she likes nothing better than to head out on her bicycle and explore the countryside.
Faye Sunderland
October 10, 2012
Filed under: Volkswagen
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