Volkswagen Drives Forward to a Greener Future

Greener Future for Volkswagen

Volkswagen is busy on reducing emissions and fuel consumption in its models as well as in pioneering the “recyclability” process, and was said to have plans in releasing a hybrid to the market by the year 2008. with the growing efforts of every car maker in driving towards greener pastures and people opting to go along with the choice of better fuel economy, Volkswagen has made its move in joining the revolution as well.

With the creation of vehicles like the Polo BlueMotion---the most fuel-efficient five-seater in the world, a universally fuel-efficient fleet of TDI engines, highly efficient and unique TSI engines (twin chargers) in the Golf and Touran, successful natural gas vehicles (EcoFuel) and a range of other models---there is still plenty of room for Volkswagen to fulfill its automotive dreams.

In China, Volkswagen plans to spend 600 million US Dollars over the next four years to develop environment-friendly engines. The German Automaker recently announced its plans for a 20 percent reduction in fuel consumption and emissions of vehicles produced in China with the help of modern engines, weight reduction, automatic gearboxes and other measures.

The current priority, because it is more effective, is to offer large numbers of TDI and TSI engines at economical prices to realize their immediate benefits with regard to oil consumption and emissions. However, Volkswagen will continue to research and further develop all potential engine types and introduce them as soon as it makes sense and is technically feasible. These include hybrid powertrain systems, such as the one Volkswagen presented in the form of a Touran prototype with its highly efficient combination of a gasoline engine derived from the TSI engine, electric drive and dual clutch transmission (DSG). Meanwhile, the first hybrids are already being tested as the deadline for the market is on 2008.

“Initially, there will be an eco version of each of Volkswagen's models. We call it BlueMotion. We started with the Passat and Polo and we plan to continue with the Golf. These models feature highly efficient engines, low-resistance tires and a different type of transmission. They will be designed to be the leading vehicles in their class when it comes to reducing fuel consumption,” Martin Winterkorn, Volkswagen CEO said in an interview with Business Week.

The next important step for the company would be to obtain fuels from renewable raw materials. SunFuel that is produced from biomass and cellulose-ethanol is a second generation biofuel. The focus here has shifted specifically to the use of CO2-neutral biomass feed stocks that can be used to generate these synthetic fuels. Because SunFuel is produced from renewable raw materials such as biomass, when it is burned the amount of carbon dioxide released is equivalent to the amount originally removed from the atmosphere by the plants supplying the energy. When used as a fuel in conventional diesel engines, the extremely high-grade and clean SunFuel reduces particulate emissions by 30 percent and can also be used in older vehicles without technical modifications. Moreover, simple adjustments to the engine controller are sufficient to also reduce Nox emissions by up to 30 percent.

Growing shortage of fossil fuels and an environment that needs protecting more than ever have set new challenges for automobile manufacturers. The first stage is learning of the importance of utilizing fossil fuels as efficiently and economically as possible while offering full measure of dynamics and comfort at the same time.