Friday, September 09, 2005

Volkswagen Engine Campaign at Frankfurt Motor Show

Text from Volkswagen AG.
- New petrol engines for the Golf and Touran with reduced consumption and increased performance

- New natural gas versions of Touran and Caddy cover 100 kilometres for €4.50 on average


WOLFSBURG, Germany - “A substantial reduction in consumption together with an equally substantial increase in performance” – the ideal petrol engine was just a dream until now.

At the Frankfurt International Motor Show, Volkswagen will present a new generation of engines that meets both of these requirements. The formula: direct injection (FSI) plus turbocharger and compressor. This highly efficient combination of technology will make its debut in the new Golf GT. Key data: 170 hp, 7.2 litres consumption. A 140-hp version will then follow in the Touran. Two other Frankfurt motor show premieres from Volkswagen, the Touran and the Caddy EcoFuel, can get by without conventional fuel. They run on economical natural gas.


Golf GT with 125-kW Twincharger: This dual-turbocharged FSI engine – the Twincharger – combines the advantages of a turbo diesel with those of a petrol engine. A mechanical compressor as well as a turbocharger generate maximum power and torque combined with low consumption values. Boasting a mere 1.4 litres, the engine develops 125 kW / 170 hp and a maximum torque of 240 Newton metres (from 1,750 rpm). This engine allows the Golf GT to reach a top speed of 220 km/h. It races to the 100-km/h mark in just 7.9 seconds.

The new “Twincharger” is an impressive example of how Volkswagen’s FSI technology (direct petrol injection) can be developed further to provide driving fun and improve efficiency. The powerful boost provided by the compressor in the low rev ranges is amazing. At higher rev ranges, the turbocharger then takes over supercharging. The Twincharger achieves the torque development of a large naturally aspirated engine, but with considerably lower consumption values.

Touran with 103-kW Twincharger: The 125-kW / 170-hp Golf GT is not the only model to feature a turbocharger combined with a compressor. The principle of “more power, minimum consumption” will also take the Touran even further — namely in a lower performance version delivering 103kW / 140 hp. In Germany, it will be launched in the 1st quarter of 2006.

Touran EcoFuel / Caddy EcoFuel: From the beginning of 2006, natural gas-powered versions of the successful Touran and Caddy models delivering 80 kW / 109 hp will also be available. When running on natural gas, the Caddy has a range of approx. 430 kilometres, the Touran approx. 310 kilometres. The vehicles can be driven with petrol, but that is mainly intended as a “reserve”. The four natural gas tanks have been integrated as under-floor solutions in the tail end (Caddy: 26 kg; Touran: 18 kg). Both models therefore still have the same boot volume and full flexibility.

The Touran EcoFuel consumes just 5.9 kg of natural gas every 100 kilo­metres, the Caddy EcoFuel 6.0 kg. One kilogram of natural gas currently costs 0.75 cents in Germany. These two Volkswagen’s can therefore cover 100 kilometres for around €4.50. That is unbeatable value. By the end of the year, around 700 natural gas garages (1,000 even by 2007) will supply this low-cost fuel. Numerous energy suppliers and communities are also subsidising the purchase of natural gas cars.

Note: Volkswagen’s press conference at the Frankfurt motor show with the unveiling of the new Eos cabriolet/coupé by the Volkswagen brand chairman, Dr. Wolfgang Bernhard, will be held on 12 September at 11 a.m. in hall 3.0.