“The electric car will impact the future of individual mobility in crucial ways – and Volkswagen is spearheading this technology. Over the mid-term, the plug-in hybrid offers great potential, because it combines the best of two worlds in one vehicle,” said Winterkorn.
Though the company official did not reveal which models will benefit from the technological changes, we can tell you that VW has previously show prototypes of a Golf-based TwinDrive plug-in hybrid (see photo) and an Audi A5 e-tron.
The plug-in hybrid offers precisely what many customers expect: internal combustion engine performance combined with attractive electric mobility ranges in everyday driving. Moreover, Winterkorn noted that there are no limitations to the vehicle’s speed, climbing or towing abilities. He also stated that plug-in technology has excellent potential for reducing CO2 emissions, which is a big concern for any automaker operating in the EU.
“Electric mobility is the task of the century for the automotive industry and the European industrial community as a whole. Manufacturers, suppliers, energy providers, scientists and politicians – everyone must step up to the plate here,” said the Volkswagen chairman.
At the Vienna Motor Symposium Volkswagen, where Winterkorn made his announcement, VW also showcased two new engines which will be available shortly - the 1.4-liter TSI Motor E 85 and the new 2.0-liter TDI, which already fulfills tight BIN5/ULEV emission laws in the USA.
“Volkswagen’s advanced development of its twincharged 1.4-liter TSI with 118 kW for use with E 85 ethanol fuel, illustrates how the company is extending its line-up of eco-friendly engines and further contributing towards reducing CO2 emissions in internal combustion engines,” the official press release reads.
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