Volkswagen Showcasing New Green Car Models On 'Think Blue' U.S. Road Trip Tour
April 13, 2012 Kyriaki (Sandy) Venetis After years on the eco-sidelines, Volkswagen is definitely trying to make up for lost time. The company has just kicked off its Think Blue road trip touring the country trying to get the word out about its new fuel efficient hybrid and electric car models.
Jetta Hybrid. Photo courtesy of Volkswagen.
Gearing toward environmentally friendly consumers, the tour will stop at outdoor community events and conferences around the country, including cycling competitions, outdoor music festivals, environmental summits, and public policy conferences.
The company says that “the current tour schedule spans more than 12 cities in ten states from coast to coast, with additional stops likely to be added in coming weeks.”
The first three events will take place on the West Coast from April to May, including:
- April 19-22, Monterey, Calif. – Sea Otter Classic Bike Race
- April 29, Denver, Co. – Cherry Creek Sneak (Running Race)
- May 6-9, Los Angeles, Calif. – Electric Vehicle Symposium
Traveling in a 53-foot trailer decorated with Think Blue imagery, and pulled by a high efficiency cab, Volkswagen will showcase a number of its newest fuel efficient vehicles, including the 2013 Jetta Hybrid and the E-Golf prototype.
The Jetta Hybrid made its debut earlier this year at the North American International Auto Show. Some of the new Jetta’s stats include:
- 0-60 mph in under 9.0 seconds.
- An average fuel economy of 35 mpg.
- A seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
- A four-cylinder engine that produces 150 horsepower and 184 foot-pounds of torque from 1,400 rpm.
The Jetta Hybrid can also be driven in pure electric mode at speeds of up to 44 mph for up to 1.2 miles, depending on driving conditions. The Jetta will also have a regenerative braking system, which is becoming increasingly common on hybrids and electric vehicles today.