VW hot on hybrid, EV

Last weekend's launch of the new, US-spec Jetta with a 'basic' port-injection 2.0-litre engine raised the question where VW was going with its 'green' engine plans. Not to be labelled behind the curve, the German maker stressed it will have to include hybrid and electric vehicles to its lineup.

For markets like Europe and Australia, its engine range is entirely direct-injection. The North American market will still be offered units with 'natural' intake. But adding TSI (twin-charged technology) even to small units like the 1.2-litre four-cylinder engine had effectively replaced larger units like 1.6-litre version in Europe, according to VW's Product Communications chief Christian Buhlmann.

Similarly, the North America market has been keen to take up twin-charged offerings but the favoured option for efficiency there is a hybrid.

"Where diesel and our TSI engines are most important to our other markets, over here hybrids play a greater role," he said.

Buhlmann said VW USA intended adding a parallel (petrol with electric motor) hybrid model, using a new-generation 1.4-litre TSI engine, to its lineup in 2012. The company has scheduled its public debut for next year's Detroit motor show.

He argues, however, using a super and turbocharged engine is still a better method of decreasing consumption and greenhouse gas emission than simply hybridising a similar displacement, uncharged petrol engine like Toyota for Prius.

"[Their] power output is rather subtle but when we come with the hybrid we want to make sure it is fuel-efficient but also fun to drive," said Buhlmann.

Even without a hybrid version VW believes it has super-efficient offerings already available.

"The 1.4 has a huge following. We've sold 3.5 million TSI engines so far worldwide, so the strategy if reducing displacement, getting the torque up which enables longer transmission settings... All to save fuel: that's our method."

The strategy is implemented group-wide (Audi, Porsche et al), he added.

Visiting VW's Energy Research Lab in Silicon Valley also uncovered the brand's plans for electric vehicles. Founder of Tesla motors, Martin Eberhard now runs the development team at the ERL.

His new outfit's technology involves using thousands of small cylinder batteries, already in production by several high-end makers. The Audi e-Tron uses 8160 cylinder cells while an equivalent Golf-based EV would require 4608. The battery cells all up weigh a hefty 550kg in the Audi and 320kg in the Golf version.

Eberhard argues that unlike using large flat packs such as Nissan's NEC-produced version for LEAF, the numerous cylinder cells would be easily replaced without compromising the owner. He argues that while a simple arrangement, the team had encountered doubt from other makers.

"It seems they have a fear of redundancy," he suggested. "... It's essential to develop redundancy for EV future."

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