Photo: screenshot from Youtube
Volkswagen Group's CEO, Dr. Martin Winterkorn, had a triumphant tone today at the 2015 IAA in Frankfurt. The boss of the car-making juggernaut is looking towards the year 2020 when 20 more electric cars and plug-in hybrids will be launched.
"We are in the process of reinventing Europe's largest automaker, laying the technological, economic and structural foundations. Our Group already has the largest connected vehicle fleet on the road. By 2020, we will have transformed all of our new cars into smartphones on wheels," professor Winterkorn said.
Regarding the next generation of the A8, we've heard rumors that it was being developed at the same time as the A6 and A7. So all three are likely to receive the same e-tron treatment. Even the current generation A6 comes with a PHEV drivetrain in China. This combines the 2-liter TFSI turbo engine, which makes 155 kW (211 HP) and 350 Nm (258.1 lb-ft) of torque with a 124 HP electric motor.
As for the next generation of the Phaeton, Volkswagen has delayed its launch. The reason? It's too expensive, and people might not buy it. We do have a preview concept in the form of the 2015 VW Sport Coupe Concept GTE shown in Geneva. It featured a V6 turbocharged engine and electric motor placed over the rear axle.
The Group was also showcasing forward-looking concepts and technologies for charging electric cars such as "V-Charge" (Volkswagen) and "Turbo Charging" (Porsche). But as Winterkorn said, the charging network is the key to EV adoption: "We have the right cars. Now, what is needed is the right framework for this key technology to really catch on."
The second big direction in which Volkswagen plans to travel is digitalization. The Group not only has the broadest electric fleet, but also the largest connected vehicle fleet on the road. Are the Germans turning into an IT firm? Let's hope not.
The CEO stated that he could not recall another time when VW had worked simultaneously on so numerous and varied tracks. Let's just hope they are more profitable than the Eos, Golf Cabriolet, Up! or Audi A2.
Regarding the next generation of the A8, we've heard rumors that it was being developed at the same time as the A6 and A7. So all three are likely to receive the same e-tron treatment. Even the current generation A6 comes with a PHEV drivetrain in China. This combines the 2-liter TFSI turbo engine, which makes 155 kW (211 HP) and 350 Nm (258.1 lb-ft) of torque with a 124 HP electric motor.
As for the next generation of the Phaeton, Volkswagen has delayed its launch. The reason? It's too expensive, and people might not buy it. We do have a preview concept in the form of the 2015 VW Sport Coupe Concept GTE shown in Geneva. It featured a V6 turbocharged engine and electric motor placed over the rear axle.
The Group was also showcasing forward-looking concepts and technologies for charging electric cars such as "V-Charge" (Volkswagen) and "Turbo Charging" (Porsche). But as Winterkorn said, the charging network is the key to EV adoption: "We have the right cars. Now, what is needed is the right framework for this key technology to really catch on."
The second big direction in which Volkswagen plans to travel is digitalization. The Group not only has the broadest electric fleet, but also the largest connected vehicle fleet on the road. Are the Germans turning into an IT firm? Let's hope not.
The CEO stated that he could not recall another time when VW had worked simultaneously on so numerous and varied tracks. Let's just hope they are more profitable than the Eos, Golf Cabriolet, Up! or Audi A2.
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