Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid headed for Detroit, coupe hopes dead

Even though public days for the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show have only just begun, details on the upcoming 2012 Detroit Auto Show are already starting to emerge. Volkswagen sources have divulged to Car and Driver that the automaker will unveils its Jetta Hybrid in the Motor City and sell it to U.S. buyers by the end of 2012.

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 (that’s 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.