The VW Golf blue-e-motion is the all-electric version of the hatchback daddy, the Golf, which is due to be launched in 2014. This car is powered purely by electricity, and it has no internal combustion engine, not even as a range extender. It relies totally on its electric motors and batteries.

The blue-e-motion Golf comes with a front-mounted electric motor with a maximum power of 85 kW / 115 PS and a continuous power output of 50 kW / 69 PS, and peak torque of 270 Nm. That’s the same sort of power a normal 1.6 liter petrol engine delivers these days.

Lithium-ion batteries of this car have energy capacity of 26.5 kilowatt-hours. Currently, they provide a driving ranges of up to 150 kilometres, considering you drive responsibly, but the final figures will be confirmed closer to launch.

Volkswagen Golf blue-e-motion is also desgined very aerodynamically (Cd value: 0.295), but it offers a top speed of only 135 km/h. Any faster would drain the batteries in a jiffy! The zero to 100 km/h takes 11.8 seconds, which is acceptable for its powertrain.

It also has a “Sail” mode. “Sailing” occurs whenever the driver – adopting an anticipatory style of driving – releases the gas pedal, or rather the electric pedal. The motor is then controlled to the zero-torque curve so that the car can coast with the least possible drag. In this mode of driving, the VW Golf blue-e-motion even recovers kinetically generated energy by battery regeneration.

The concept car’s 30 battery modules – consisting of 180 lithium-ion cells (energy capacity: 26.5 kWh) – were installed in spaces adapted to the vehicle architecture. They can be found in the floor of the bootspace (fully usable cargo capacity: 275 litres), under the rear bench seat and in the centre tunnel of the underbody (between the front seats). A separate air cooling system ensures a constant thermal environment in the battery compartment. The battery modules weigh a total of 315 kilograms.

The Volkswagen Golf blue-e-motion is charged via a plug connector behind the folding VW logo on the radiator grille. A pictogram of a plug connector in the multifunction display indicates that the charging cable is correctly inserted and locked. During active charging an LED also flashes in the charge state indicator, and the charge level shown in the indicator is continually updated.

The car also features a solar roof to help charge the batteries.

The Volkswagen Golf blue-e-motion offers the three profiles “Normal,” “Comfort+” and “Range+.” In the “Comfort+” profile, the full 85 kW of power is available; in this mode the Golf blue-e-motion can attain the specified top speed of 135 km/h. When the driver activates the “Normal” mode, power is reduced to 65 kW and top speed is lowered to 115 km/h. In the “Range+” mode the engine controller limits power to 50 kW; in this case, the car can reach a maximum speed of 105 km/h. At the same time, the air conditioning system is completely deactivated. The selected profile is shown in the multifunction display.

VW Golf blue-e-motion Concept – Technical Data

• Dimensions
  • Length: 4,199 mm
  • Width: 1,786 mm
  • Height: 1,480 mm
  • Wheelbase: 2,575 mm
• Motor
  • Motor type: Electric motor
  • Power (max. / continuous): 85 kW / 50 kW
  • Max. torque: 270 Nm
• Gearbox / Tyres
  • Gearbox: EQ 210 (1-speed transmission)
  • Drive type: Front-wheel drive
  • Tyre size: 205/55 R16
• Driving performance
  • 0-100 km/h: 11.8 s
  • Top speed (Comfort+ mode): 135 km/h
  • CO2 emissions with electricity generated from renewable resources: Negligible