Carsales Staff•26 Nov 2014
NEWS
Volkswagen commits to 2018 sustainability goal
Wolfsburg rolls out new technology in search for 25 per cent improvementSustainability was the buzz-word underpinning Volkswagen's Innovation Workshop, held earlier this month at the manufacturer's Ehra-Lessien test track facility in its hometown of Wolfsburg.
And preserving the environment formed at least some basis for almost all of the 18 innovations developed to showcase Volkswagen's engineering and marketing talent.
Take for instance Stop-start 2.0, which shuts the engine down at speeds under 7km/h. No longer is it enough to halt the fuel flow into the engine once the wheels have stopped turning. Every last drop of fuel is to be saved, even the thimble's worth that keeps the engine idling over during the few seconds between walking pace and standstill.
The principles of mild hybrid driving are well known, but they're now being applied to both petrol and diesel engines. In addition to auto-stop systems, Volkswagen's mild hybrid systems comprise energy recovery functions and coasting – when the car has reached its optimum speed and the driver releases pressure from the accelerator pedal.
A bi-turbo diesel Passat shows how – for the next few years at least – driveability need not be sacrificed for the sake of economy. The Passat is rated at 240 PS (177kW), yet uses just 5.3L/100km of fuel. And Volkswagen has electric turbo boosting in the works for another diesel engine, capable of producing 272 PS (200kW).
Making the most of finely-tuned engines like these will be a 10-speed DSG dual-clutch transmission (picture 2), which can handle torque as high as 550Nm.
Further fuel savings will result from lighter kerb mass, due to sandwich construction incorporated during a car's design phase.
Even lowering the demand placed on climate control systems can reduce fuel consumption. To this end Volkswagen is working on infra-red-reflecting dashboard pigments (picture 5) and oxide films that block infra-red radiation through the car's sunroof (picture 3). The air conditioning system itself is set to move to more efficient technology and needs-based operating cycles.
A range manager and predictive navigation also serve a purpose in reducing the duration of trips or conserving the fuel remaining in the tank by picking a route avoiding the worst traffic congestion.
Not all the innovations were as explicitly focused on eco-friendly operation. Volkswagen Car-Net brings online services to the driver and passengers, 'Security & Service' keeps the owner informed of the car's status (picture 1), and App Connect embraces both Apple 'CarPlay' and 'Android Auto' (picture 6). Other high-tech developments include Volkswagen Media Control, Personalisation, Easy Open and Easy Close.
By 2018 Volkswagen wants to be recognised as the world's most sustainable car manufacturer – with a goal in mind of 25 per cent reduction in energy, water, waste and emissions.
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Written byCarsales Staff
Our team of independent expert car reviewers and journalists
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