Yesterday, VW announced that a modified version of its Jetta Hybrid was able to sprint across the Bonneville Salt Flats at over 185 mph (which is just a tick under 300 km/h, for those of you keeping score). The modified hybrid was, obviously, pumping out significantly more ponies than the production version shown at this year’s Chicago Auto Show, but how many more, exactly, has yet to be revealed.
My guess? Something in the 400 hp neighborhood, which is about what the Ferrari F40 and Lamborghini Diablos needed to crack 300 km back in the early 90s and nearly 3x the output of the standard hybrid Jetta’s drivetrain.
Still, 185 is the new “official” hybrid benchmark at Bonneville, and VW intends to milk it heavily. How do I know? The VW press release is titled “VOLKSWAGEN’S JETTA HYBRID IS THE WORLDS FASTEST HYBRID.” I didn’t add the CAPSLOCK, or the factual inaccuracy.
Source | Photos: Volkswagen, via Carsoop.
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