At its 2014 Innovation Workshop, VW outlined 18 new technologies meant to improve the efficiency of its vehicles, including a new version of its latest diesel engine and a 10-speed DSG transmission. VW has set a goal of reducing waste, emissions, water usage and CO2 by 25 percent by 2018.
The 2.0-liter, four-cylinder TDI engine that was introduced makes 243 hp in the recently revealed European version of the Passat. Those horses go along with a robust 369 lb-ft of torque. VW says an upgraded version could use a two-stage electric turbocharger and a new variable valve timing system to increase output to 275 hp.
The new engine would use a stop/start system that deactivates at speeds below 4 mph using a special coasting function. It also shuts off at higher speeds when the driver takes his or her foot off the pedal. VW says this function can significantly improve fuel economy, especially when the driver adopts “an anticipatory style of driving.”
In the area of lightweight design, VW is using a “sandwich construction method,” which uses two steel layers with a polymer-thermoplastic in between. This tech comes from its Polo R WRC race car.
The next generation of VWs will get a low-E glass sunroof and a dashboard that reflects infrared light, thereby reducing heat. Electric vehicles will include a new range manager and an “extremely efficient” air-conditioning system.
Volkswagen Car-Net will let drivers view vehicle information over the Internet. The company’s MirrorLink system for smartphone integration is being improved, and it will soon be possible to link nearly any phone to the VW system.
The Media Control setup integrates tablets into the control of the vehicle. Backseat passengers can connect to and control the radio and media functions, surf the Web, watch movies or send an address to the navigation system. Additionally, even if no destination is entered, the program takes note of regular routes and will notify the driver if an accident is ahead. It also uses the route information for plug-in charging strategy.
Volkswagen didn’t specify when each of these new systems will launch, but we’d guess we’ll see them in the next few years. That diesel engine, while only slated for Europe for now, could also come our way in the Passat, CC or even the Tiguan/Touareg SUVs.
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