Volkswagen working on 10-speed DSG
Volkswagen have revealed a bit about its next-gen powertrain technology, in the process confirming the development of a 10-speed DSG, a high-performance diesel engine as well as a company-wide focus on plug-in hybrid and natural gas propulsion systems for its future vehicles.
According to Volkswagen Group chairman Martin Winterkorn, who spoke at the 34th International Vienna Motor Symposium, mentioned that the company’s medium- and long-term strategies are part of Volkswagen’s plan to reduce the CO2 emission level of its European new car fleet to 95 grams per kilometer by 2020.
These over-all strategies start with the 10-speed dual-clutch DSG automatic transmission which is set to succeed the current six- and seven-speed units and offer improved fuel efficiency.
He continued to say that the new family of high-output diesel engines that will be joining the new transmission promises to achieve peak power of 100kW per litre of displacement. The engines will feature a variable valve-train assembly, a high-pressure injection system till up to 3000 bar and combined charging with the brand’s e-booster tech.
Also according to the chairman, the next stages of the brand’s expansion of its plug-in hybrid technology is on the way, with the Porsche Panamera and Audi A3 e-tron leading the way, to be soon followed by the plug-in version of the Volkswagen Golf and Passat, Audi A6 and Porsche Cayenne.
Interestingly enough, he also stressed the potential of their natural gas drive systems, also confirming that these will become an increasingly more mainstream part Volkswagen’s product portfolio going forward.
Winterkorn mentioned that the gas engine has a lot of things going for it, it is environmentally friendly, economical and very suitable for everyday use, because the technology is fully developed and the vehicles already exist on the market. What they need to work on is to increasing awareness of the benefits of natural gas engines.
He further insisted that there are still many more areas in which efficiency can be gained with the current internal combustion engines, including optimization of friction levels and thermal management, improving the combustion process as well as a focus on lightweight designs.
