Volkswagen has achieved high fuel efficiency primarily due to the lowest weight of the car. The shell of the concept car weighs 124 kilograms, while the total weight is 380 kilograms. The car works on two-cylinder diesel engine of 800 cubic centimeters, which is based on 1.6-liter unit (they have identical dimensions, such as the distance between the centers of the cylinders, the inner diameter of the cylinder, piston stroke) and can operate in two modes – “economical” and “sport”. In the first case, the motor power is 27 horsepower, while the second is 12 horsepower more. Maximum torque of the unit is achieved at 1900 rpm and is equal to 100 Nm.

The engine works in tandem with a seven-robotized gearbox DSG double-clutch. Between the transmission and engine is 14-motor that is fed by lithium-ion batteries. It allows you to increase the power under intense acceleration and provide car movement in pure electric, and also works as a generator during braking, recharging the batteries.

According to VW, the new vehicle can reach from zero to a hundred kilometers per hour in 14.3 seconds. Maximum speed of this concept is 160 kilometers per hour. The 10 litter tank of the car will be enough to drive about 670 miles.

According to preliminary information, the serial version of supereconomical prototype of Volkswagen will be put on mass production in 2013.

]]> http://www.carsnext.com/by-brand/volkswagen/volkswagen-golf-has-become-the-most-sold-model-in-europe/feed/ 0 http://www.carsnext.com/by-brand/volkswagen/volkswagen-will-create-an-alliance-with-suzuki/ http://www.carsnext.com/by-brand/volkswagen/volkswagen-will-create-an-alliance-with-suzuki/#comments Mon, 29 Jun 2009 08:57:34 +0000 InMyCar http://www.carsnext.com/?p=592 Volkswagen is considering the possibility of establishing a strategic alliance with the Japanese car manufacturer Suzuki in the sphere of developing subcompact cars. This was reported by Bloomberg News, citing unnamed sources familiar with the situation.

As explained by Reuters, in the scope of the partnership Japanese company Suzuki will receive the support of one of the largest automakers to develop new models, while Volkswagen will be able to add to its range a subcompact vehicle.

It is worth to note that the first model of this line should stand on the conveyor factory in Bratislava in 2011. According to some reports, within the alliance company Volkswagen is also considering the option to purchase 10 percent of the shares of Suzuki, but the representatives of the Japanese automakers have refused to comment on this information, as well as give details about the upcoming partnership with the Germans.

It should be noted that eight years ago, about 20 percent of Suzuki Motor shares were owned by General Motors Concern, but in 2006, the U.S. automaker sold 17 percent of the package for two billion dollars to replenish its own budget. In late 2008, the remaining three percent were purchased from GM by Suzuki, which, however, noted that despite this, all the joint projects of two companies remain in force.

According to some experts, due to the bankruptcy of GM and its precarious financial situation, the Japanese company needs a new partner, who may well become a VW. In doing so, according to the source, last month, chairman of the board of directors of Volkswagen Pih Ferdinand has declared the interest of the company in Suzuki group.

The main competitors of VW Phaeton are the BMW 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz S-class reported WorldCarFans.

The car has recently been spied during a test-drive. This is the second update of this model. The first facelift of Phaeton was held in 2007. The release of the completely new generation of the premium sedan is scheduled for 2011.

The photos showed that the Phaeton has a more modern design for front and rear bumpers, new optics, and the grille.

Under the hood of the car the manufacturer will install as engines of past versions, and new power units. In particular, the mast-head version of Volkswagen Phaeton V12 receives turbo diesel engine from Audi. A hybrid version of the vehicle is also possible.

Fuel consumption is 7.5 l/100 km for petrol and 9.8 liters/100 km – on gas. It is estimated by Volkswagen representatives, that the use of gas will allow car owners in Germany to save 6.1 euro for every 100 km. The price of Volkswagen Golf Plus BiFuel starts from about 22 460 euro.

Reportedly, the future Touareg 4×4 BlueMotion will be able to boast with new accessories and systems that also aim to reduce fuel consumption. First of all, the landing vehicle will be lowered by 25 mm, which would reduce the resistance of the tires. Secondly a regenerative braking system and new features will be installed that improve the aerodynamics of the body.

An updated V-6 engine BlueMotion with the volume of 3.0 liters would most probably be present. The output of the car will be 222 hp du to which the average fuel consumption will drop from the current 8.0 liter up to 6.9 liters for 100 km.

The source also said that a formal statement about the release date of Touareg BlueMotion will be available as soon as possible. However, the cost of a new version of the popular SUV is likely to increase.

Automotive systems such as stability control, ABS and anti-slipping system have become so familiar that sometimes when buying a car people do not pay much attention to them, but in fact they often provide the proper level of vehicle security.

Volkswagen CC, equipped at the base of all the above systems, recently received top marks from the American Institute of Road Safety. In addition, it was taken into consideration that the coupe is already equipped with side airbags at the factory.

It should be mentioned that in order to gain an assessment of “Top Safety Pick” IIHS, the vehicle should get maximum points in front, side and rear impacts.

Volkswagen representatives say that the new pickup is built from scratch (previously all assumed that it will lay the foundation platform of the Touareg). The first time, Amarok will be sold only in the version with four doors and Full-power transmission. But later it is expected to be changed to a two-drive only on one axis, which would be much cheaper.

Amarok will be produced at the plant near Buenos Aires in Argentina and will be powered by VW’s next-generation of common-rail diesel engines. Sales of the car is scheduled to start in spring 2010. First, it will be available on the market in South and Central America, and will appear in Europe, Russia and Africa in the summer of 2010. WV is not planning to sell Amarok in the United States market yet. And this is strange, because the U.S. is considered to be the largest market for pickups.

It certainly differs from the concept. For example, technical filling lost the whole drive, only the front is left, but not a simple one, with an electronic lock XDS. Volkswagen Golf GTI 2.0-liter engine is now settled under the hood, the power of which is 265 hp and 350 Nm of torque. As the Scirocco R weighs less than the Golf GTI the acceleration is no longer 7,2 but 6,5. Such indicators can be achieved using a 6-step mechanics, the weight of which is1333 kg, and having intelligent automatic DSG, that weights 1353 kg, the acceleration becomes faster. Volkswagen Scirocco R is also faster than Golf GTI – /250 km against 238/.

Scirocco R has tougher springs, adjusted shock absorbers and stabilizer of transverse stability that stuck it to the road. The braking system also changed, as for 250 km / h more braking power is needed. Suspension Scirocco R received a 345-millimeter discs for the front and 310-millimeter for the back. By the way, it is shod with 18 inch wheels and the two exhaust pipes stress its sporting line.