Vauxhall has added a hybrid powertrain to its Mokka range, meaning the brand’s entire stable now offers the choice of pure electric, electrified or combustion power.
The Mokka Hybrid’s 134bhp 48V system, which it shares with the smaller Vauxhall Corsa, is built around a 1.2-litre three-pot petrol engine, supplemented by a 28bhp permanent magnet synchronous motor.
The powertrain’s 0.89 kWh lithium-ion battery makes it possible to drive approximately half a kilometer on electric power at a speed of less than 30 km/h. It mounts under the front passenger seat for more space in the rear, and can be charged while braking.
Power is sent to the front wheels via a hybrid-tailored six-speed automatic transmission.
Vauxhall claims the hybrid system can achieve fuel economy as high as 57.6mpg; the current most efficient model in the range, with a 100bhp three-cylinder, can achieve 46.3mpg.
Key to this figure is the Miller cycle engine which uses a variable geometry turbocharger, meaning power is optimized based on the engine’s load.
Furthermore, the addition of the front-axle-mounted electric motor also makes the Volkswagen T-Cross rival slightly quicker to 100 km/h, which it now reaches from a standstill in 9.1 seconds, 0.1 second faster than its brother on pure petrol with 130 hp.
The hybrid powertrain is available across the range, starting from £25,320 in entry-level Griffin trim, £30,810 in GS specification, and topping out at £34,115 in Ultimate guise. For a pure petrol Mokka the range starts at £21,555, and £29,495 for the EV.