Reports claim the Jetta Hybrid will feature a 1.4-liter turbocharged gasoline engine and an electric motor powered by a lithium-ion battery pack. Rather than aspire to Prius-like numbers of 51 miles per gallon city and 48 mpg highway, VW is more conservatively shooting to meet the 44/44/44 (city/highway/combined) marks set by the 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid. VW hopes that the addition of a gas-electric model will further fortify the Jetta’s bid for alt-fuel efficiency excellence, a movement currently spearheaded by the popular TDI diesel model.
In related news, C/D says its sources also confirm that there will be no Jetta Coupe model offered – this, despite a warm reception for the NCC concept shown in 2010. Additionally, C/D sources say that a convertible version of the recently launched Beetle will show up at the 2012 New York Auto Show in April.
