Volkswagen Touareg 2011

Volkswagen Touareg is faster, lighter and better built than its predecessor, as well as massively well equipped.There's a huge amount of technology built into this new Touareg, which is bristling with cameras, sensors and proximity detectors. Volkswagen unveiled its heavily upgraded 2011 Touareg today at the Geneva Motor Show. Thoroughly re-engineered inside and out, the next Touareg is truly a new vehicle. The outgoing VW Touareg was often referred to as a hulking brute because of its sheer size and (some would say) excessive weight. Coupled with the outgoing model’s available V10 TDI, the Touareg was everything a hulking brute of an SUV could be.

Lighter, more aerodynamic and more fuel efficient

For 2011, VW had a different vision for the off-road capable SUV – VW envisioned a more modern vehicle that made use of lighter weight, more aerodynamic and fuel efficient design. To achieve this, VW shaved 208 kilograms off of the base version, while increasing torsional rigidity by 5 percent – maintaining its spot as a class leader. To achieve the fuel economy numbers customers are demanding, VW put them gave special attention to the Cd value of the vehicle, and reduced its aerodynamic drag. VW also lowered the stance slightly, which also improves fuel economy and road handling. The final step was to make an eight-speed automatic transmission standard with all engines – a market segment first.

The base engine for the new Touareg will be a 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel resulting in 238 horsepower and 405 lb-ft of torque. Thanks to the new eight-speed automatic transmission, VW says this will achieve a very respectable 38.1 mpg on the European cycle (Imperial gallons).

Next in line is a 4.2-liter V8 TDi with a healthy 337 hp and a whopping 590 lb-ft. of torque – still achieving 31 mpg on the combined cycle. This engine replaces the now discontinued V10 that previously was the range-topping engine. Although no V10, this V8 is no slouch either – reporting a zero-to-62 sprint in just six seconds flat, and capable of 155 mph computer-governed top speed. VW is also premiering a new, more efficient gasoline V6. Producing 276 horsepower, the TSI V6 is capable of averaging about 23 mpg in the European combined cycle, according to the automaker.

VW will also be offering a hybrid offering that makes use of a supercharged 3.3-liter V6 that produces 329 hp, mated to a 46 hp electric motor. Peak output is 375 hp and 428 lb-ft of torque, with zero-to-62 in just 6.5 seconds while still offering 34.4 mpg. VW says this SUV will be capable of accelerating to 30 mph without any gasoline in pure EV mode. North American-specification motors haven’t been announced, but we’re pretty confident that the V6 TDI and a pair of V6 and V8 gasoline engines will be on offer and, eventually, the hybrid.

2011 Volkswagen Touareg Cobra

One of the latest tuners to get their hands on the Volkswagen Touareg is Cobra Technology (the German tuning firm), which has just released a first batch of accessories for the SUV model.

Cobra Technology offers a stainless steel lower guard for the front bumper along with 80mm thick sidebars with rubber stepping surfaces plus a set of 20-inch alloy wheels shod in 275/45 R20 tires.

Just little information about price, the front bumper guard is priced at €395, the side bars at €763 and the alloy wheels at €510.

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2011 Volkswagen Passat

2011 Volkswagen Passat B7 at its world premiere at the Paris Motor Show earlier this month, now we can see photos of the new Volkswagen Passat that were released as the car goes on sale across Europe.

2011 Volkswagen Passat available in sedan and station wagon forms, and the B7 Passat will be offered with a total of ten diesel and petrol engines ranging from the efficient 1.6-liter TDI with 105HP and a combined fuel consumption of 4.2 lt/100 km [56 mpg US] to a 300HP V6 unit combined with all-wheel drive that accelerates the saloon from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in just 5.5 seconds.

Engine Range & Transmissions

TSI and V6 / Petrol and Natural Gas Direct-Injection Engines – Five Charged Four Cylinder Engines and One Six Cylinder

The petrol engines of the Passat output 90 kW / 122 PS (1.4 TSI), 118 kW / 160 PS (1.8 TSI), 155 kW / 211 PS (2.0 TSI) and 220 kW / 300 PS (V6). The top engine has six cylinders, while all other petrol engines are charged four cylinders. Also charged is a 1.4 TSI with 110 kW / 150 PS that is configured for natural gas (EcoFuel). A derivative of the 1.4 TSI is the MultiFuel engine (118 kW / 160 PS) that is designed for use with petrol fuel with up to 85 percent ethanol content.

1.4 TSI with 90 kW / 122 PS

The 1.4 TSI with optional BlueMotion Technology is the most fuel-efficient petrol engine. It outputs 90 kW / 122 PS (at 5,000 rpm), and in the BlueMotion version it only consumes 5.9 l/100 km (or 138 g/km). The turbocharged TSI develops its maximum torque of 200 Newton-metres between 1,500 and 4,000 rpm. The four cylinder enables a top speed of 205 km/h (Estate: 202 km/h). The Passat saloon handles the classic 0-100 km/h sprint in 10.3 seconds (Estate: 10.6 seconds). This engine version is available with an optional seven-speed DSG.

1.8 TSI with 118 kW / 160 PS

The 1.8 TSI develops its maximum power of 118 kW / 160 PS from 5,000 rpm. On this four cylinder engine, the development team reduced combined fuel consumption from the previous model’s 7.4 l/100 km to 6.9 l/100 km on the new model; the CO2 value attained here is 160 g/km. The turbocharged four cylinder is exceptionally torque-strong (maximum of 250 Newton-metres between 1,500 and 4,200 rpm). With this engine, the saloon reaches 100 km/h in 8.5 seconds (Estate: 8.7 seconds); its top speed is 220 km/h (Estate: 218 km/h). The TSI can be combined with a seven-speed DSG as an option.

2.0 TSI with 155 kW / 211 PS

The fuel economy improvement on the 2.0 TSI with 155 kW / 211 PS (previously 200 PS) is significant; this turbo engine now has a combined fuel consumption of 7.2 l/100 (Estate is also 7.2 l/100 km), which is 0.6 litre less than on the previous model. Accordingly, CO2 emissions were reduced from 183 to 169 g/km. The large TSI, which debuted in the Golf GTI, develops its peak power from 5,300 rpm. Its maximum torque of 280 Newton-metres lies between 1,700 rpm and 5,000 rpm. The Passat 2.0 TSI can move at a fast 238 km/h (Estate: 235 km/h). The saloon handles the sprint to 100 km/h in 7.6 seconds (Estate: 7.7 seconds). Available as a special option here is a six-speed DSG.

V6 4MOTION with 220 kW / 300 PS

The combined fuel consumption of the top version – the Passat V6 with 300 PS and 4MOTION all-wheel drive – now comes in significantly lower at 9.3 l/100 km (previous saloon: 9.8 litres). The new CO2 value is 215 g/km (Estate: 215 g/km). The six cylinder engine develops its maximum power of 220 kW / 300 PS at 6,600 rpm, its maximum torque of 350 Newton-metres is available at 2,400 rpm. The six cylinder accelerates the saloon to 100 km/h in 5.5 seconds (Estate: 5.7 seconds). In both body versions, the car’s top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h. Shifting work is performed by a six-speed DSG as standard equipment.

1.4 TSI EcoFuel with 110 kW / 150 PS

One of the lowest emitting models of the medium class is the Passat EcoFuel; in the new version, a combined fuel consumption of 6.6 m3 natural gas per 100 km has been determined (Estate: 6.7 m3 per 100 km); this corresponds to CO2 emissions of just 117 g/km (Estate: 119 g/km) and a 0.4 m3 reduction in fuel consumption. Thanks to dual charging by turbo and supercharging (Twincharger), the Passat EcoFuel is considered one of the sportiest natural gas vehicles in the world. The saloon can move at a fast 214 km/h and accelerates to 100 km/h in 9.8 seconds; values for the Estate version are 212 km/h and 9.9 seconds.

1.4 TSI MultiFuel with 118 kW / 160 PS

Based on the twincharged 1.4 TSI, a 118 kW / 160 PS MultiFuel Twincharger was developed especially for use in Sweden and Norway. This petrol engine can be operated with fuel that has an ethanol content of up to 85 percent. Fuel economy and driving performance values will be announced at market launch in Scandinavia.

TDI and BlueTDI / Diesel Direct Injection Engines – Four Charged Common Rail Four Cylinder Engines

Four turbodiesel engines are being offered at three power levels; the four cylinder engines output 77 kW / 105 PS (1.6 TDI), 103 kW / 140 PS (2.0 TDI and 2.0 BlueTDI) and 125 kW / 170 PS (2.0 TDI).

1.6 TDI with 77 kW / 105 PS

The most fuel-efficient version of the new Passat is the 1.6 TDI BlueMotion with 77 kW / 105 PS (from 4,400 rpm) and 250 Newton-metres torque (from 1,500 rpm). In the previous model, this engine already delivered fabulously low fuel consumption values. An aerodynamically perfected design, additional internal engine fine-tuning and technologies such as the Stop/Start system and battery regeneration have reduced fuel consumption in the new Passat BlueMotion (Saloon) by 0.2 litre to 4.2 l/100 km; that is equivalent to a CO2 value of 109 g/km (Estate: 4.4 l/100 km and 114 g/km). The Passat 1.6 TDI BlueMotion has a top speed of 195 km/h and accelerates to 100 km/h in 12.2 seconds. Values for the Passat Estate with this engine are 193 km/h and 12.5 seconds.

2.0 TDI with 103 kW / 140 PS

Fuel consumption was also reduced on the Passat 2.0 TDI with BlueMotion Technology that outputs 103 kW / 140 PS from 4,200 rpm; 4.6 litres (equivalent to 119 g/km CO2) nearly matches the value of the 105-PS BlueMotion model of the previous generation. The 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Technology can call upon 320 Newton-metres of torque from 1,750 rpm, reaches 100 km/h in 9.8 seconds and has a top speed of 213 km/h. The Estate also has a combined fuel consumption of 4.6 litres and 120 g/km CO2 emissions. This estate car accelerates to 100 km/h in 10.0 seconds and attains a top speed of 210 km/h. Optional: a six-speed DSG.

2.0 TDI with 125 kW / 170 PS

The combined fuel consumption of the strongest Passat TDI with 125 kW / 170 PS is 4.6 l/100 km (120 g/km CO2) as a saloon – this is 0.9 litre less than on the previous model. The 170 PS Passat Variant TDI consumes 4.7 l/100 km (123 g/km CO2). This TDI also operates with common rail injection. Its maximum power lies at 4,200 rpm. Between 1,750 and 2,500 rpm, the engine develops its maximum torque of 350 Newton-metres – sufficient power and force to accelerate the Passat to 100 km/h in 8.6 seconds (Estate: 8.8 seconds). The car’s top speed is 227 km/h (Estate: 224 km/h). Like the 140-PS version, the strongest TDI may also be ordered with a six-speed DSG.

2.0 BlueTDI with 103 kW / 140 PS

One of the lowest emitting turbodiesels in the world is used in the Passat 2.0 BlueTDI. In the Passat, the 103 kW / 140 PS (previously 143 PS) engine already meets requirements of the Euro-6 emissions standard, which does not take effect until 2014. To further reduce levels of nitrogen oxides, this Passat is equipped with a standard SCR catalytic converter. In the new generation of the Passat 2.0 BlueTDI, fuel consumption has been reduced by an additional 0.6 litre to just 4.7 l/100 km (equivalent to 122 g/km CO2). These values apply to both the saloon and the Estate.

The sixteen-valve four-cylinder engine with a displacement of 1,968 cm3 develops its maximum power at 4,200 rpm. 320 Newton-metres maximum torque is already available from 1,750 rpm. These key parameters let the turbo engine accelerate the Passat to 100 km/h in just 9.9 seconds; its top speed is 213 km/h. (Estate: 10.0 seconds and 210 km/h). Volkswagen also offers the Passat BlueTDI with an optional six-speed DSG.

SCR Catalytic Converter

The SCR catalytic converter of the Passat BlueTDI together with the additive AdBlue selectively converts nitrogen oxides (NOx) in the exhaust stream into nitrogen and water. This is in addition to an oxidation catalytic converter and diesel particulate filter which are also used to reduce the entire range of emissions. AdBlue is carried in an auxiliary tank. It is sprayed into the exhaust stream by a module downstream of the diesel particulate filter and oxidations catalytic converter. The fluid is metered according to the exhaust mass flow rate. Engine management ensures precise control based on information from the NOx sensor.

Finely atomised by a screen, the urea is converted in the hot exhaust gases upstream of the SCR catalytic converter. In the SCR unit, it reacts with the nitrogen oxides, which it converts to nitrogen and water. AdBlue is nontoxic, odourless and biodegradable; the average consumption rate is about 0.1 litre per 100 kilometres.

Six and Seven-speed DSG – Efficient Dual Clutch Gearboxes

Except for the TDI with 77 kW / 105 PS, any of the other engines of the new Passat may be combined with a dual clutch gearbox (DSG). This is a six-speed or seven-speed DSG, depending on the engine’s torque. Both DSG versions are characterised by maximum economy and dynamic shifting performance never before realised to this degree. Besides differing in the number of forward gears, the two DSG units also differ technically in the types of clutches used. While two dry clutches operate in the seven-speed DSG, the dual clutches of the six-speed DSG operate wet in an oil bath. This is true of both gearboxes: Even highly experienced drivers cannot approach the shifting speeds of the DSG gearboxes. More than any other automatic, the dual clutch gearboxes also have the potential to reduce fuel consumption and thereby emissions. Compared to an automatic with torque-converter clutch, this advantage may amount to up to twenty percent depending on the engine.

Meanwhile, the two DSG versions are specialists at their given tasks. While the six-speed DSG shows excellent performance with torque-strong engines (up to 350 Newton-metres) thanks to its broad torque range, the seven-speed DSG is especially well adapted for use with smaller engines (up to 250 Newton-metres).

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2011 Volkswagen Eos

The highly successful Volkswagen Eos open-top coupe has been given an updated design and further enhanced with numerous new features. The appearance of the new VW Eos follows the code of the Volkswagen design DNA.

Exterior design, there are the new headlights is a radiator grille consisting of three shiny black struts. From behind the Volkswagen Eos stands out through its reworked, two-part LED rear lights and redesigned rear bumper with diffuser.

Interior’s feature includes the ‘Premium’ multi-function instrument panel with colour display, the Light Assist main beam management system and second generation Park Assist. Also new on the Volkswagen Eos is the Keyless Access system, which as a new feature also opens and closes the roof by wireless remote control. The special Light Assist system takes over the function of switching between dipped and main beam, automatically adapting this to the traffic situation. ‘Cool leather’, available as an option, gives a pleasant feel to the cars’ seats even in hot weather. It reflects the sun’s rays and thus heats up much less than standard leather.

2011 Volkswagen Eos use BlueMotion Technology fuel consumption has been further reduced. On the VW Eos 2.0 TDI 103 kW / 140 PS, for instance, the Stop/Start system and brake energy recovery bring consumption down by 0.7 litres to now just 4.8 l/100 km. Offered with a range of four turbo-charged, direct injection engines (90 kW / 122 PS to 155 kW / 210 PS).

The new Eos will be unveiled to the public for the first time on 17th November at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show, with the European launch following from mid-January 2011. It will have a base price in Germany of €27,975.

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