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The Volkswagen ID.R is set to defend its title at the “Goodwood Festival of Speed” (4 to 7 July). Last year, Romain Dumas, at the wheel of the fully-electric race car, set a new record for electric vehicles at the prestigious race in the south of England. The Frenchman completed the 1.86-kilometre route of the Goodwood Hillclimb in just 43.86 seconds – the fastest time for 15 years. A mere five weeks after breaking the lap record for electric vehicles on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife, the ID.R – the sporty spearhead of the ID. family of fully-electric production vehicles – is ready to take on its next challenge.

“The electric drivetrain heralds a new era in production vehicles. Volkswagen is making an important contribution to this development with the ID. range, which is due to be launched soon,” says Dr. Frank Welsch, Member of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand with responsibility for Technical Development. “The Goodwood Festival of Speed is a fascinating bridge between the past, present and future of the automobile. As such, it is the perfect stage, on which to demonstrate the performance of Volkswagen’s electric technology.”

Volkswagen Motorsport Director Sven Smeets adds: “Last year, we lined up in Goodwood just three weeks after the record-breaking run on Pikes Peak and used the same technical configuration as we did at the hill climb. This year, we will field an ID.R that has been prepared specifically for Goodwood.” The engineers’ focus is on a drive configuration designed specifically for the short route. “We have developed another evolutionary stage of the ID.R – a sprint version with smaller batteries, in order to further reduce weight,” says François-Xavier Demaison, Technical Director at Volkswagen Motorsport. “We have also opted for a far more aggressive energy management strategy for the short distance. You need very high output for a very short time for the sprint in Goodwood.”

Tradition meets the present day: the Goodwood Festival of Speed

Since it was held for the first time in 1993, the Goodwood Festival of Speed has developed into one of the world’s biggest motorsport events, attracting roughly 180,000 visitors every year. They are treated to a weekend of show drives and timed races featuring motorcycles, rally cars, and racing and Formula cars from every era of motorsport. Motorsport legends go head to head with the current crop of professional racing drivers on a 1.86-kilometre sprint route and a 2.5-kilometre gravel track. “The atmosphere in Goodwood is unique,” says Volkswagen driver Romain Dumas. “Nowhere else in the world will you find so many famous drivers and legendary race cars in one place.” And very few events offer such a fine opportunity to observe how automotive technology has developed over the decades.

Article source: www.volkswagen-newsroom.com

Pre-sales of the new Passat begin today in selected European countries. With sales totalling 30 million units, the Passat is the most successful mid-range model in the world. A technical update and a refined exterior design have now fundamentally changed the best-selling model. Thanks to its new-generation infotainment system (MIB3), the Passat stays online permanently – and this ground-breaking development enables it to offer completely new services and functions. New assist systems make the model safer than ever, while upgraded running gear and drive systems ensure a high degree of long-distance comfort and exhilarating driving dynamics.

The Passat has a newly reconfigured equipment package matrix: The basic version has the designation “Passat”. Above that is the mid-range specification level (“Business”), and from now on, the top level is known as “Elegance”. “Business” and “Elegance” can also be ordered with R-Line customisation. In addition to these versions, the new Passat will once again be available as a separate “Alltrack” model (all-wheel drive variant with off-road capabilities) and as a “GTE” (equipped with a new generation of the plug-in hybrid drive).

A total of five engine options will be available when pre-sales of the Passat begin today, 6 June: Two petrol engines (TSI) with an output of 140 kW/190 PS1 and 200 kW / 272 PS2 and three diesel engines (TDI). The latter deliver 88 kW/120 PS3, 140 kW/190 PS45 and 176 kW /240 PS6 respectively. All new Passat models equipped with TSI and TDI engines fulfil the requirements of the Euro 6d-TEMP emission standard. In addition, all such models – regardless of whether they come with a petrol or a diesel engine – are equipped with a particulate filter.

Customers will also soon be able to order the new Passat GTE7 and the new Passat 2.0 TDI Evo8. The Passat GTE (160 kW/218 PS system output) now offers a much greater electric range in both its saloon and estate versions: up to 55 kilometres (estate) and 57 kilometres (saloon) in the WLTP cycle. These figures correspond to roughly 70 kilometres in the NEDC, which is 20 kilometres more than the NEDC range of the predecessor model. The engine in the Passat 2.0 TDI Evo (110 kW/150 PS) is considered a trailblazer for a new generation of diesel engines and now boasts even lower CO2 emissions. The consumption and emission values, as well as the prices, for the new Passat GTE, the Passat 2.0 TDI Evo and the 1.5 TSI Evo9 basic model will be released when pre-sales of those vehicles begin over the next few weeks.

The expanded range of standard equipment for all Passat models includes LED headlights with LED daytime running lights, side lights and turn signals; LED tail light clusters, infotainment systems with an integrated SIM card (for online functions), “We Connect” (online services), the “Front Assist” area monitoring system, the “ACC” adaptive cruise control system and the “Lane Assist” lane departure warning system. Available as an option or, depending on the engine variant and specification package in question, as standard equipment are technologies such the “DCC” adaptive chassis control system (which can now be continuously configured over an extended range), interactive “IQ.LIGHT – LED matrix headlights” and the new “Travel Assist” system. When equipped with “Travel Assist, the Passat becomes the first Volkswagen worldwide to be able to travel at speeds up to 210 km/h in a partially automated driving mode.

Prices for the Passat saloon with a TSI engine (140 kW/190 PS) will start at €38,750 in Germany, and at €39,825 for the identical Passat estate. Prices for the saloon with a TDI engine (88 kW/120 PS) will start at €34,720, with the corresponding estate model starting at €35,825 in the basic version.

The Passat Alltrack is an independent crossover model that represents a mix between an estate and an SUV. Thanks to a special off-road mode, modified running gear with greater ground clearance and permanent 4MOTION all-wheel drive, the Passat Alltrack is also very much at home when driving off-road on terrain otherwise reserved for SUVs. At the same time, the Passat Alltrack is a comfortable and fast touring car. The Passat Alltrack is available with a 2.0 TSI petrol engine with 200 kW/272 PS10 (€49,925). The model also comes in two TDI variants delivering 140 kW/190 PS11 (€47,800) and 176 kW/240 PS (€50,795)12 respectively. A 7-speed dual clutch gearbox (DSG) is standard for all variants.

Article source: www.volkswagen-newsroom.com

The most powerful Volkswagen in the current model range is now available to order: the Touareg V8 TDI. At 310 kW / 421 PS, it’s one of the most powerful SUVs with a diesel engine in Germany. This 4.0-litre eight-cylinder vehicle has a maximum torque of 900 Newton metres – putting it at the same level as sports super cars. Whether cruising at low speeds, moving fast or going off-road, this power provides superior drive characteristics and makes the Touareg V8 TDI a reliable partner in everyday use. As with the product line’s V6 engines, the new V8 version also meets the requirements of the Euro 6d TEMP emissions standard.

The Touareg V8 TDI showcases its undeniably dynamic nature in its acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds. It makes its qualities clear in other areas too: whether it is being used for horses, boats or construction equipment, its high maximum trailer weight of 3.5 tonnes, combined with 4MOTION permanent all-wheel drive, makes it the ideal towing vehicle for work or leisure. What’s more, the matching towing bracket (optional) can be retracted and extended at the press of a button.

The new Touareg V8 TDI comes fitted as standard with features including four-corner air suspension, a boot lid that opens and closes electrically, comfort seats in “Vienna” leather, anti-theft alarm, stainless steel pedals, the “Light & Sight” package (including automatic headlight control) and 19-inch “Tirano” alloy wheel rims. Those purchasing the new top model will also have the choice between the standard “Elegance” design package and the “Atmosphere” package. “Elegance” creates a technical interior world dominated by metal and matching colours, while “Atmosphere” offers a warm interior world where wood and natural tones prevail. The seat system and door trims of both versions have a leather finish (“Vienna” type). In addition, as is the case for all models in this product line, the sporty R-Line equipment options are also available for the Touareg V8 TDI.

Additionally, there is a wide range of sensors to choose from for the Touareg V8 TDI. These encompass technologies such as “Night Vision” (detects people and animals in the dark using a thermal imaging camera), “Traffic Jam and Roadwork Lane Assist” (partly assisted steering, lane departure warning, acceleration and braking up to 60 km/h), “Front Cross Traffic Assist” (responds to cross-traffic in front of the Touareg), active all-wheel steering (making the Touareg as easy to handle as a compact car), and a head-up display projected onto the windscreen (windshield head-up display), which puts the most important information into the driver’s selective field of vision.

Prices for the new Touareg V8 TDI start from € 89,825 in Germany.

Article source: www.volkswagen-newsroom.com

If not the Golf, then who? The eighth-generation of the bestseller will feature a new electrified drive system. We explain facts and functions of the socalled „mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle“-Systems („mHEV“) with 48 volt technology.

The mobility sector is changing rapidly. While customers' demands for comfort and digital networking are increasing, legislators are calling for a sustainable reduction in CO2 fleet emissions to 95 g/km by 2020. Against this background, 48V technology is an attractive option. As early as 2018, Volkswagen announced at the renowned Vienna Motor Symposium that it would make the innovative low-voltage concept accessible to a broad public. Now the Group is delivering on its promise and bringing it into series production this year – with the eighth generation Golf, one of the best-selling vehicles in the world. Initially, the 48V hybrid drive will be available with the EA211 evo family, 1.0 and 1.5l displacement and dual-clutch gearbox (DSG). Volkswagen will then gradually extend the electrification of the drive system to the entire fleet. But what exactly is behind the technology and what are its greatest strengths?

One hybrid, two engines

Compared to current Plug-in Hybrids (PHEV), for example in the Golf GTE and Passat GTE, the mHEV drive (mild hybrid electric vehicle) equipped with 48V technology offers a reduced range of functions, but is significantly more cost-effective. While the Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) charges the battery via the mains with a plug, the mHEV does not have a battery that can be recharged via a plug, but is equipped with a 48V belt starter generator. As an electric motor, this supports the combustion engine in order to increase the drive power according to the situation – for example when accelerating. In deceleration phases, the generator converts the vehicle's kinetic energy and charges the battery with energy that would otherwise be lost. This combination offers Volkswagen the opportunity to electrify conventional powertrains without making major changes. Depending on the driving style, the mHEV system can save about 0.4 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers.

In detail: 48V technology

In the mHEV engines offered in the new Golf, the Belt-Driven Starter Generator (BSG), an electric motor with 48V operating voltage, acts as a powerful replacement for the generator. When starting up, it also boosts the drive torque via the boost function, thus ensuring greater dynamics and comfort. The starter generator is coupled to the combustion engine. Its power is transmitted to the crankshaft by the belt drive. In addition to the regular 12V on-board battery, the mHEV drive has a 48V lithium-ion battery mounted under the passenger seat. When the driver steps on the brake, the kinetic energy is converted into electrical current. This allows up to 40 percent of the braking energy to be recovered and stored in the battery. A DC/DC converter supplies the conventional 12V grid with voltage.

System features

The 48V mild hybrid offers a number of helpful system functions. In FMA (Freewheel, Motor Off) mode, the engine shuts off as soon as the driver takes his foot off the accelerator. The car then continues without consuming fuel. The engine is also hardly noticeable as soon as it is restarted. It is switched on and off without delay or loss of comfort, making the new Golf considerably more efficient.

To ensure that the driver does not feel any loss in driving comfort, the system has a socalled “Change-of-Mind-enabled” Comfort Start function. This means that if the driver presses the accelerator pedal again, the combustion engine starts immediately, with very few vibrations. This is another advantage of the BSG: in contrast to the sprocket starter, the driver experiences a quick and comfortable transition to the drive phase when starting. On 48V mild hybrid vehicles, however, the sprocket starter is only used for the first start. In contrast, the driver experiences a comfortable, fast and powerful transition when starting with the BSG - for example from sailing to a subsequent drive phase.

In order to use FMA operation as frequently and efficiently as possible, a predictive assistance function takes into account navigation data such as speed limits or bends in order to reach route points at the optimum speed and thus make the best possible use of the vehicle's kinetic energy.

Innovative technology with perspectives

For the year 2030, Volkswagen expects an electric share of its new vehicles of around 40 percent in Europe and China. The proportion of new vehicles with combustion engines will therefore continue to dominate for a long time to come. However, the efficiency of combustion engines is reaching its physical limits – which is where 48V technology will open new avenues up.

"You cannot afford to write the combustion engine off," said mobility expert Helmut List at the opening of the Vienna symposium last year. He warned against pursuing only one technology in order to meet future requirements. According to List, combustion engines, battery electric drives and fuel cells should have a synergy as combined building blocks.

Article source: www.volkswagen-newsroom.com

Volkswagen Group Research is testing automated vehicles in urban traffic in Hamburg. This is the first time Volkswagen has begun to test automated driving to Level 4 at real driving conditions in a major German city. From now, a fleet of five e-Golf, equipped with laser scanners, cameras, ultrasonic sensors and radars, will drive on a three-kilometer section of the digital test bed for automated and connected driving in the Hanseatic city. The results of the test drives, which will be continuously evaluated taking full account of all data protection rules, will be incorporated in the Group’s numerous research projects on automated driving, and will test customer-centric services and optimize individual transport.
Axel Heinrich, Head of Volkswagen Group Research, commented: “The tests center on technical possibilities as well as urban infrastructure requirements. In order to make driving even safer and more comfortable in future, vehicles not only have to become autonomous and more intelligent – cities must also provide a digital ecosystem that enables vehicles to communicate with traffic lights and traffic management systems as well as with one another.”

A 9-kilometer digital test bed for automated and connected driving is currently being constructed in the city of Hamburg, with completion scheduled for 2020. To that end, the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg is successively upgrading traffic lights with components for infrastructure-to-vehicle (I2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication. Volkswagen and the city of Hamburg are thus taking a decisive step to further optimizing traffic flows through digitalization and to full-size implementation of automated driving in the city area.

Michael Westhagemann, Hamburg’s Senator for Economics, Transport and Innovation, said: “Two and a half years from now, Hamburg will be hosting the World Congress for Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS). Automated driving will play a key role. I am delighted that our strategic partner Volkswagen has already become the first user for our digital test bed. We will establish Hamburg as a model city for intelligent mobility and be presenting numerous innovative mobility projects to a global audience in 2021.”

The e-Golf configured by Volkswagen Group Research have eleven laser scanners, seven radars and 14 cameras. Up to 5 gigabytes of data are communicated per minute during the regular test drives, each of which lasts several hours. Computing power equivalent to some 15 laptops is tucked away in the trunk of the e-Golf. This enormous computing capacity, combined with state-of-the-art sensor technology, ensures that data on pedestrians, cyclists, other cars, intersections, rights of way, parked vehicles and lane changes in moving traffic are captured over the shortest distances and in milliseconds. Despite the diversity and complexity of the information, the artificial intelligence used in the vehicle software must register all relevant objects and respond to them without triggering any false alarms. Several different artificial intelligence approaches are used: these include deep learning, neural networks and pattern recognition.

For safety reasons, specially trained test drivers will be seated behind the steering wheel during all test drives in Hamburg to constantly monitor all driving functions and intervene in an emergency. Furthermore, all data protection rules will be fully taken into account.

Volkswagen Group Research is collaborating with all brands and relevant Group departments to enable the functionality of automated driving on public roads – right through to Level 5. The findings of this project will be successively incorporated in further research and development initiatives. The goal is to be in a position to offer customers concrete products for the automated transport of goods and passengers on public roads a few years from now. This will contribute to lasting improvements in traffic flows and road safety. However, automated driving without a safety driver in public traffic requires changes in the legislative framework and the availability of the necessary infrastructure.

The different levels of automated driving
Level 1: Assisted driving
Example: ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control)
Level 2: Partial automation
Example: Travel Assist (combination of adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist)
Level 3: Conditional automation
Example: Traffic Jam Assist
Level 4: High automation
Example: Park Pilot
Level 5: Full automation
Example: Fully self-driving transport

Article source: http://www.volkswagenag.com

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