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Volkswagen's new hybrid is FAST!

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Khatir Soltani
Who said that hybrids are slow and boring? Actually, we might have...

Volkswagen is not the first manufacturer to demonstrate that hybrids can get speeding tickets. Toyota, with their Prius, hit in excess of 130 mph or nearly 210 km/h a few years back.

The new Jetta Hybrid is powered by a turbocharged 1.4L 4-cylinder gas engine that is good for 150 hp and an electric motor that generates 27 extra hp. Sending power to the wheels is a 7-speed DSG transmission.

With the necessary modifications done to comply with Southern California Timing Association's (SCTA) rules, the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid was able to reach a staggering 185.394 mph (298.363 km/h) at the famed Bonneville Salt Flats, during the annual Speed Week.

The driven Jetta Hybrid was also tweaked mechanically by Volkswagen R&D in Wolfsburg, Germany, in order to achieve the necessary amount of horsepower to get the car to this speed.

Here's a nugget for comparison: The Ferrari F430 has a top speed of 192 mph.

Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid front 3/4 view
Photo: Volkswagen

Khatir Soltani
Khatir Soltani
Automotive expert
  • Over 8 years experience as a car reviewer
  • Over 50 test drives in the last year
  • Involved in discussions with virtually every auto manufacturer in Canada