The boss of Volkswagen Group Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, during the 32nd International Vienna Motor Symposium, confirmed that his company is going to boost production of plug-in hybrid cars and expand the lineup with important models.
Starting from 2013/14 will be introducing many new hybrids for almost the entire range, except for small city cars. Bigger cars like the Passat, Touareg, and Phaeton are more likely to each get a hybrid variant. Also at the Vienna event Volkswagen revealed two new engines which will be available shortly: the 1.4-litre TSI Motor E 85 and the new 2.0-litre TDI. Both of these units are calssified as ULEV or ultra-low emission vehicles which makes them suitable for the US market.
In the Passat saloon, the combination of the new TSI with a 7-speed dual clutch transmission (DSG) in E 85 operation yields a fuel consumption value of 8.8 litres per 100 km in the NEDC driving cycle, which is equivalent to 144 g/km of CO2. This represents a seven per cent reduction in CO2 emissions compared to an engine operated with Super petrol fuel. The engine is earmarked for use in the Passat and Passat CC, initially in Sweden and Finland, where E 85 fuel has been widely available for many years now.
The 2.0-litre TDI produces 103 kW (140 PS) and has 320 Nm of torque. It accelerates the Passat from 0 to 60 mph in 9.3 seconds and has an electronically limited top speed of 113 mph. The car’s diesel fuel economy is 35 mpg (miles per gallon), which is equivalent to about 6.7 litres per 100 km.
“The electric car will impact the future of individual mobility in crucial ways – and Volkswagen is spearheading this technology. Over the mid-term, the plug-in hybrid offers great potential, because it combines the best of two worlds in one vehicle,” said Winterkorn. The plug-in hybrid offers precisely what many customers expect: unlimited internal combustion engine performance combined with attractive electric mobility ranges in everyday driving. Moreover, Winterkorn noted that there are no limitations to the vehicle’s speed, climbing or towing abilities. He also stated that plug-in technology has excellent potential for reducing CO2 emissions.
“Electric mobility is the task of the century for the automotive industry and the European industrial community as a whole. Manufacturers, suppliers, energy providers, scientists and politicians – everyone must step up to the plate here,” said the Volkswagen chairman. Winterkorn spoke in support of more targeted research funding, especially in the field of electro-chemistry for battery technology.
