Volkswagen Building 10-Speed Dual Clutch DSG, 134 hp/litre Diesel Engine
The annual Vienna International Motor Symposium showcases some of the up-and-coming technologies in the automotive industry. This year, Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn revealed that Volkswagen is working on a 10-speed dual clutch automatic gearbox. It was also confirmed that a high-performance diesel engine was being developed which would produce a staggering 134 bhp per litre. The diesel engine will feature “variable valve-train assembly, a high-pressure injection system at up to 3,000 bar and combined charging with the innovative e-booster (an electric turbocharger)”.
Since the year 2000, we’ve reduced the fuel consumption of our TDI and TSI engines by more than 30 per cent. I’m convinced that by 2020 we can achieve further increases in efficiency of around 15 per cent.
– Martin Winterkorn, CEO, Volkswagen AG
Winterkorn spoke of a multi-faceted approach that Volkswagen is looking to reduce its fleet fuel consumption and exhaust emissions. Winterkorn said he believes that petrol and diesel internal combustion engines could be made more efficient with improvements in the combustion process, lightweight design and improved friction levels and thermal management. VW’s plug-in hybrid technology was also touched upon. The PHEV versions of the Audi A3 and Porsche Panamera are confirmedly on the way and Winterkorn also said that these two models will be followed up by Golf, Passat, Audi A6 and Porsche Cayenne plug-in models.
Winterkorn also had the following to say on natural gas technology:
The technology is fully developed and the vehicles are already in the market. We need to make the public even more aware of the benefits of natural gas engines. Everyone needs to play their part in this: carmakers, politicians and the fuel industry.
The news about the new gearbox could indicate that a paddle shift equipped car with a ten speed double clutch could be coming. We hope its the rumoured Audi R4 supercar.
