The president of the Board of Directors of the Volkswagen Group, Martin Winterkorn, made a forecast on the propulsion technologies of the future in the International Motor Symposium of Vienna . The work areas in which Volkswagen will focus include the development of a high -performance diesel engine that delivers 136 hp per liter of cylindrated and a new 10 -speed double clutch gearbox that reduces fuel consumption. Among the alternative propulsion systems, it is the plug -in hybrids that offer greater potential.
Winterkorn stressed that different propulsion technologies will coexist. This will include highly efficient internal combustion engines and natural gas systems to hybrid and electric vehicles. On this basis, the Volkswagen Group is working to reduce CO2 emissions levels of its new European fleet to 95 g/km in 2020.
Winterkorn emphasized that current internal combustion engines still offer a lot of potential: "Since 2000, we have reduced the fuel consumption of our TDI and TSI engines more than 30%. I am convinced that in 2020 we can get a new increase of 15% in efficiency." The factors that will make it possible, he said, include the improvement of the combustion process, an intelligent light design, innovative operational strategies and the optimization of friction levels and thermal management.
Volkswagen also sees great potential for natural gas propulsion systems: "The gas engine is ecological, economical and adequate for daily use. Technology is fully developed and vehicles are already in the market." The best example is the new Eco-Up!, That with 79 g/km of CO2 is the world's cheaper natural gas vehicle. The Volkswagen Group will continue to produce natural gas technology systematically with the Golf TGI Bluemotion and the Audi A3 G-Tron.
According to Winterkorn, "we need to make the public even more aware of the benefits of natural gas engines. Everyone must have their role in it: manufacturers, politicians and the fuel industry."
The variety of propulsion technologies is growing: the Volkswagen modular platform system and its flexible architecture allows you to quickly integrate all types of propulsion system to new models. "Thus, during the next few years we will electrify all vehicle segments and help motor skills propelled by electricity to make the great jump," Winterkorn said.
In the medium term, the first choice in terms of alternative propulsion systems is plug -in hybrid technology. This allows purely electric autonomy of up to 50 km, a high level of suitability for daily use by virtue of recharge from a plug at home and also complete flexibility for long trips thanks to an efficient internal combustion engine. The first plug-in hybrids of the Volkswagen Group, the Porsche Panamera and the Audi A3 e-tron will soon be produced completely. They will follow golf and many other models, such as Passat, Audi A6 and Porsche Cayenne.
Volkswagen also presented in the symposium new technologies that are making their way to the modular system of diesel components of the future generation of engines. These high-performance diesel engines reach maximum power of 136 hp per liter of cylindrated, with a variable valve distribution and a high pressure injection system of up to 3,000 bar and load combined with the innovative e-booster.
