As Volkswagen prepares to introduce an updated Golf range in Australia, key emissions-reducing tech remains off the table for Australia.
As pressure from the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) in Australia forces car makers to look to emissions-reducing hybrid technology, Volkswagen has skipped mild-hybrid technology for its latest Golf small car range.
Mild-hybrid technology uses a small electric motor and 48-volt battery to assist the engine and trim fuel consumption, but it cannot power the wheels on electricity alone, as a 'full hybrid' from Toyota or Hyundai can.
When asked if Volkswagen plans to introduce hybrid or mild-hybrid technology to Australia, Arjun Nidigallu, head of product for Volkswagen passenger vehicles in Australia, said: “We've had the discussions from a mild hybrid perspective. I think the benefit for the customer isn't as big in this space as it would be for a much larger vehicle.”
It's despite sibling brands Cupra and Skoda confirming plans for mild-hybrid versions of closely-related vehicles in Australia.
In its current guise, the mainstream Golf range is powered by a 1.4-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine and eight-speed torque converter automatic transmission, as introduced with the eighth-generation range in 2021.
It claims lab-tested fuel consumption of 5.8 litres per 100 kilometres, and CO2 emissions of 132 grams per km (g/100km).
Overseas variants of the Golf are available with a newer 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine with 'eTSI' mild-hybrid technology and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.
The eTSI combination is rated at the same 110kW as the Australian model, but with fuel consumption as low as 5.4L/100km and emissions as low as 122g/km, under more stringent European WLTP testing than Australia's NEDC protocol.
While the on-paper difference appears minor, Australia's inbound CO2 emissions rules for new cars will see emissions targets become stricter each year from now until 2029.
Car brands will be penalised per gram of CO2 over targets, which are adjusted by vehicle type and weight.
“We'd rather invest in the way the car drives, the kind of creature comforts and things that customers are telling us about. So I think that's been the direction for the Golf for us,” Nidigallu said.
In the small-car segment, Golf rivals like the Hyundai i30 hatch upgraded to mild-hybrid power, while the Toyota Corolla range is now hybrid-only, with the exception of the high-performance GR Corolla.
Car makers also have the option of offsetting the emissions from cars that do not hit the government's new emissions targets with credits from vehicles that over-achieve, including electric vehicles.
With Volkswagen starting to roll-out its ID.4, ID.5, and ID. Buzz range of electric vehicles, plus plug-in hybrid variants of the Touareg, Multivan – and the ability to use credits from other VW Group brands – the marque is under less pressure to ensure every model meets or exceeds current targets.
Kez Casey migrated from behind spare parts counters to writing about cars over ten years ago. Raised by a family of automotive workers, Kez grew up in workshops and panel shops before making the switch to reviews and road tests for The Motor Report, Drive and CarAdvice.
