Report: Volkswagen Changing Strategy for Hybrids (DIESEL!)

www.greencarcongress.com ^ | 01/31/2007 | Staff

[Red Badger]

Germany’s Automobilewoche reports that with the change in Volkswagen’s top management is coming a change in strategy for hybrids.

Martin Winterkorn, who formerly headed the company’s Audi AG unit, became CEO after Bernd Pischetsrieder resigned at the end of 2006. Pischetsrieder had brought in Wolfgang Bernhard from DaimlerChrysler to run the Volkswagen unit. Berhard has now left (as of today), and Winterkorn will personally oversee the VW brand for the time being.

Now, rather than target a mild hybrid Jetta for sale into the California market in 2008 as described by Pischetsrieder, Volkswagen will focus first on a full hybrid Touareg SUV. VW has announced a 50-state compliant (Tier 2 Bin 5) diesel Jetta will go on sale in the US in 2008.

The additional cost of the compact hybrid or of a hybrid drivetrain applied in a Touran van didn’t make sense for management, given price-sensitivity of the consumers, and a negligible gain in fuel efficiency compared to a diesel powertrain. VW was exploring the use of the Continental mild hybrid system in those applications.

Now, Volkswagen will concentrate on developing a hybrid application of the Touareg (along with Porsche with its Cayenne) for the end of 2008, with Bosch providing the full hybrid system, according to the report.

[WesternCulture]

Maybe this is somewhat off topic, but it seems to me whatever fuel alternatives there are, people in each and every corner of the world will still have their very own idea of what the perfect car looks like.

A perfect car in;

GERMANY

- is a Diesel powered (!) Porsche speedster that can take you from Hamburg to Munich in 1 hour using the Autobahn with especially strong headlights designed for signaling to any annoying intruder on YOUR path that he ought to stay the h*ll out of that section of the road.

The US

- is an enormous SUV fueled by any disposable source of energy, parked outside your house in order to cause envy among your neighbors (while you occasionally sneak out of the garage in your Corolla upon heading for work/going shopping)

ITALY/FRANCE/SPAIN/PORTUGAL

- is a car that is well designed, accelerates impressively while using first and second gear, has a voluminous ashtray, is easy to park anywhere and doesn't require much service until the day you sell it (who cares what money you'll be getting for it).

JAPAN

- is a modestly designed, efficient, car that will not upset your neighbors, workmates or your boss while at the same time being a marvel of electronic/digital devices that allows you to freak out in the restricted, humble privacy of your own.

THE SCANDINAVIAN COUNTRIES

- is a Volvo

[Red Badger]

I love the Autobahn...............We need it here.........

[nascarnation]

However, after doing research it looked like the high mileage would be washed out with expensive service costs. Do you think the new one will be cheaper to maintain?

Well they have to add a stunning $$$ amount of sensors, controls, exhaust aftertreatment (catalyst, diesel particulate filters and urea injection), etc to meet the new EPA diesel emission regs for 07 and 010. The trucking companies did a huge "pre-buy" of 2006 units to avoid this as long as possible. So the answer to your question is "not a chance"

and all this generally hurts fuel mileage also :-(

[WesternCulture]

"I love the Autobahn...............We need it here........."

The Autobahn is one of the BEST aspects of European culture.

It is one of the very few remaining ULTIMATE experiences of limitless FREEDOM allowed by governments to "ordinary" citizens around this globe!

[Don Carlos]

Cold weather was the major downside on the S-10/Isusu 2.2 diesel I once owned. In winter, at say 15-20F that sucker was hard to start. Fuel jelled in the filter, and if it could be pursuaded to start, the power was way down.

I'm guessing the modern oil burners have fuel tank and filter heaters.

[giznort]

I've been driving VW diesels since 1982. Started with a gutless '81 Rabbit. Had a block heater that I'd plug in when it got super chilly. You only forget to add the fuel additive ONCE.

I like the Jetta TDI better, however, the turbo ceases to work and requires a little clean up. This is true for the '98 and the '02 models, as I can personally testify. Plus VW seems to have a problem with the indicator lights on the panel coming on when there is no problem. When I factor in the higher cost of diesel, plus the costs of deglunking the turbo and replacement of timing belts every 60,000 miles, I question if I am saving any money at all.

[wideminded]

Q1. Is it possible to build a turbine engine that runs on gasoline and is small enough for a car?

Q2. Would it make sense to have a turbine engine hybrid?

[roaddog727]

I have a 2000 Jetta TDI turbo diesel, it has 89K miles and the only major repairs I have had to do is glow-plug replacement (3 years ago - approx $300) and air-flow meter replacement (2 months ago - approx $350) beyond that, it has been routine oil change stuff every 4K miles (at approx $35.00 per change)

This is well in the normal maintenance cost for ANY vehicle, and I still get 45-50MPG @ 80MPH

[roaddog727]

I'm just waiting for the new VW EOS convertible to come out in a TDI version, and hopefully that will be bluetec.

WooHoo!

[HardStarboard]

>>>Tacking into the wind down the interstate could be interesting/<<<

Not a heck of a lot of difference from the way some drivers attack I-5 around Seattle....without sails.

[ichabod1]

What's wrong with Diesel-Electric like the trains run on?

[goldstategop]

The ill-fated Phaeton did Bernd Pietschrieder in as VW Chairman. It turned out people were not willing to pay a king's ransom for a luxury marque from what is after all the people's car. VW has gone back to its bread and butter cheap and dependable cars. The engines just last and last and last. Whatever else one can say about VW, they make great engines.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[goldstategop]

LOL! Yeah, people regard VW dealerships as "stealerships" due to the outrageous service costs. But they do such a good job that you seldom have to bring in your VW for service more than twice a year. Its a trade-off I can live with.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[UCANSEE2]

Hey, you are not supposed to mention that there is a time tested, proven technology that has been in use for fifty years.

Shame on you.

To the General Public: It's just a choo-choo. Pay no attention to the train. Please go on about your business. There is nothing to see.

[Old Professer]

Colder than -3F requires fuel heaters to prevent waxing and to maintain a decent pour point temperature.

[Boiler Plate]

These suckers will do 60+

[nascarnation]

turbines are EXPENSIVE
they need to run at high temps to be efficient and that requires exotic metallurgy

[cmsgop]

I got to sit and start a W-12 Phaeton, Really Nice car, but no way would I spend $90,000 for one. If I was in that market I would get a used S-500 or 600 Mercedes or a 750 BMW.

[Boiler Plate]

with Bosch providing the full hybrid system

Bosch make people yearn for the relative high reliability of Lucas. This hybrid is going to make a lot of VW mechanics very rich.

[wolf78]

Q1. Is it possible to build a turbine engine that runs on gasoline and is small enough for a car?

Q2. Would it make sense to have a turbine engine hybrid?

Volvo did exactly that, it's called the "Evironmental Concept Car" and it's from the 1990s:



For more information just google "volvo environmental concept car". As mentioned before, the main problems with that kind of drivetrain are complexity, weight and cost, especially considering the alternatives. A clean Diesel costs half and weighs a third.

Turbines, just like rotary engines (aka. Wankel engines) are destined to be a niche product, at least for the foreseeable future.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wankel_engine http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazda_RX-7