Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid hits 185 mph on the Bonneville Salt Flats, sets record

Meet the world’s fastest hybrid – no this isn’t the Porsche Panamera Hybrid or the Infiniti M35h Hybrid – this is the Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid.

Driven by Motor Trend Associate Road Test Editor Carlos Lago, the recorded speed of of this Jetta Hybrid came in at 185.394 mph (298.363 kph) at the Bonneville Salt Flats, near Wendover, Nevada, during the Southern California Timing Association’s (SCTA) annual Speed Week.

“Achieving this speed at Bonneville shows that the all-new 2013 Jetta Hybrid is a distinctly different offering in the compact hybrid class,” said Jonathan Browning, CEO and President, VW Group of America. “As well as being expected to achieve combined fuel economy of 45 mpg, the Jetta Turbo Hybrid also retains the fun-to-drive nature you expect from a Volkswagen in a segment dominated by less exciting vehicles.”

The Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid used for the run was modified to SCTA rules. The standard Jetta Hybrid is powered by a 1.4-liter turbocharged, direct-injection 4-cylinder TSI gasoline engine that generates 150 horsepower with a seven-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission and an electric motor that provides an additional 27 hp. To achieve 185 mph, the powertrain was modified Volkswagen R&D in Wolfsburg, Germany.

– By: Omar Rana