VW Specialist London Blog

EcoRacer

Volkswagen presents an incredibly economic sports car capable of 100 miles per gallon - the EcoRacer. With fuel consumption as low as 3.4 litres and a maximum speed of 230 km/h this TDI powered prototype provides you with a glimpse into the next generation of fuel economic vehicles.

Its carbon-fibre body means the car weighs a mere 850 kilograms and accelerates in only 6.3 seconds to an impressive 100 km/h.

This sports car is powered by a 100 k/w turbo diesel engine of the next generation and stands for a trend setting synthesis of rock-solid economy and an abundance of sportiness.

The EcoRacer as a coupé: The bonnet, boot-lid and doors are made of CFP (Carbon-fibre plastic), as are the roof elements. The door locks of the EcoRacer open using electromechanical technology that not only release the door catch - via Keyless-Entry-and-Go system - but also swing the associated roof wings upwards on a gas-pressure damper optimising entry to and exit from the vehicle. These roof sections and the so-called T-bar, the longitudinal web between them, can be removed completely and stowed behind the seats.

The EcoRacer as a Roadster: Within a matter of minutes, the entire roof structure including the windows can be removed or converted. First, the rear hatch, the coupé rear end, is removed. At the same time, the side elements of the front wings between the front wheel and the door hinge are taken out.

The EcoRacer as a Speedster: In the final stage, the roadster can be converted to a speedster. For this, a special catch in the area of the A column is simply released, to allow the windscreen and the upper dashboard housing to be taken off. In place of this, a reduced windscreen with its own dashboard cover is inserted. The result is a speedster in its purest form.

Article source: www.volkswagen.co.uk

Environment - A cleaner, greener driving future

We care as much as you do about the environment so we design our cars to have minimal impact on it at every stage: during manufacture, while on the road and at the end of their lives.

Of course, we also want you to enjoy driving your Volkswagen. That means our engineers are constantly working to produce cars that offer great performance with better fuel economy and fewer harmful emissions. Our Golf BlueMotion for example, is currently one of the most fuel efficient cars of it class, with CO2 emissions of just 99g/km thanks to its start/stop technology and regenerative braking. Click here to find out more about our BlueMotion technologies.

We also use recycled and recyclable materials where possible and the most environmentally friendly construction techniques.

A car doesn't just have an impact on the environment when it's being driven on the road. Download Viavision to see the whole story - from factory to shredder - and to understand how Volkswagen is working to minimise energy consumption, emissions and waste throughout a vehicle's life.

So when you decide to drive one of our cars you can feel you're making a choice for a better future, too.

Please visit our Mobility and sustainability website or download our mobility and sustainability report for more information on what Volkswagen are doing in the area of mobility and sustainability.

Article source: www.volkswagen.co.uk

Scirocco R-Cup tickets competition currently open on Facebook

The Volkswagen UK Facebook page is currently running an exclusive competition, to win one of ten pairs of VIP tickets to the Scirocco R-Cup race weekend at Brands Hatch on the 3rd and 4th of September. Running until midnight on Tuesday 23rd August, it is the first time that Volkswagen Motorsport have offered tickets to a UK audience in a Facebook competition.

The prize is significant and includes:
• Two weekend tickets to the event (The Scirocco R-Cup race on 3rd September and the DTM race on 4th September) with access to Grandstand, Paddock, VIP Hospitality & Legends party on Saturday night
• An overnight stay on 3rd September for two in a 4* hotel close to the event
• Transfers between the hotel and the event
• Special VW Motorsport pocket guide

The Scirocco R-Cup has returned in 2011 after a successful first season in 2010 where it took over from the Volkswagen Polo cup. The cup promotes and encourages young drivers and the cars are fuelled by bio natural gas. The two-litre engine’s overall carbon footprint of racing plus logistics is reduced by 80 per cent compared with conventional racing petrol.

The season consists of 8 races starting in April at Hockenheim, moving around Germany, Austria and the UK through the summer and returning for a final race back in Hockenheim on 21st October.

Currently the British driver Daniel Lloyd is placed 2nd in the points standings and Brands Hatch will be a key race for him to try and take the top spot.

For more information about the Scirocco R-Cup or Volkswagen Motorsport, please visit: www.volkswagen-motorsport.info

You’ll find the competition on the Volkswagen UK Facebook page here: http://apps.facebook.com/sciroccorcuptickets/contests/146160

Article source: www.volkswagen.co.uk

Volkswagen unveils the XL1 Super Efficient Vehicle in Qatar

The new Volkswagen XL1 Super Efficient Vehicle (SEV) has been unveiled at the Qatar Motor Show. Pioneering construction techniques, an advanced plug-in hybrid drivetrain and innovative packaging all play a part in allowing the XL1 to return 313 mpg on the combined cycle while emitting 24 g/km of CO2 to set a new benchmark for vehicle efficiency.

Powering the XL1 is a compact 800 cc TDI two-cylinder common rail diesel engine developing 48 PS. It’s linked to an electric motor producing 27 PS, resulting in a total of 75 PS – a modest output yet more than enough when the low kerb weight (795 kg) of the vehicle is taken into account.

The TDI engine is linked to an electric motor and a seven-speed DSG gearbox with an automatic clutch mounted between each unit. The electric motor can either work independently of the TDI engine or in tandem when accelerating. In pure electric mode the XL1 can travel up to 35 km before the diesel engine cuts in. Accelerating from rest to 62 mph can be achieved in 11.9 seconds; the electronically limited top speed is 99 mph.

In both its styling and packaging the XL1 draws on lessons learned from the 1-Litre car (2002) and the L1 concept (2009). The XL1 has evolved to feature staggered seating with the driver and passenger placed next to each other in a body structure made from advanced new materials providing immense strength yet weighing just 230 kg.

To make such weight savings possible, and yet viable for series production, Volkswagen developed and patented a new system for the manufacture of the Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) parts on the car called the Resin Transfer Moulding (RTM) process.

In total the XL1 weighs 795 kg. In addition to the body structure, the weight is accounted for by the drivetrain (227 kg), the running gear (153 kg), the interior including a pair of bucket seats (80 kg) and the electrical system (105 kg). In total just 23.2 per cent of the car (184 kg) is made out of either steel or iron.

Further savings are made through the extensive use of lightweight materials including magnesium (wheels), ceramics (brake discs) and aluminium (dampers, steering system, brake calipers).

The styling of the XL1 is borne out of functional requirements – easy access to the interior is granted via a pair of elegant scissor doors that hinge on the A-pillar while the profile of the car has been honed in the wind tunnel, the result being a remarkable coefficient of drag figure of 0.186. The XL1’s overall length (3,970 mm) and width (1,682 mm) are similar to those of a Volkswagen Polo yet its height (1,184 mm) is more akin to that of a Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder.

Although the XL1 is still very much a concept, its unveiling marks the next step towards the birth of a new class of Super Efficient Vehicles, while the advent of a process such as RTM is a significant milestone.

Article source: www.volkswagen.co.uk

Great Product, Great Service: Volkswagen is commended by Motability

Motability customers have two good reasons to take a closer look at Volkswagen’s range of vehicles, thanks to Volkswagen achieving a commended award for its work with Motability Operations (the company that manages the Motability Car Scheme and the Motability Powered Wheelchair and Scooter Scheme) as well as low Advance Payment terms on a number of popular models including the Golf.

The commended accolade is part of the annual Motability Supplier Awards, now in their seventh year, and recognises Volkswagen’s excellence, efficiency, innovation and exceptional customer service. Commenting on the commendation, Mike Betts, chief executive, Motability Operations, said: ‘Offering stable pricing for customers, and popular models at very affordable rates, Volkswagen is highly committed to the Motability Scheme. The commended accolade at the Motability Supplier Awards acknowledges the efforts that have gone into increased environmentally friendly options, better value and an engaged dealer network. Well done to all at Volkswagen.’

A wide range of Volkswagen models is available through the Motability scheme from the new up! city car, through the Polo, Golf – including the Golf Plus, Golf Estate and Cabriolet – Jetta, Passat, Scirocco and Tiguan to the Touran and Sharan people carriers. Many are available with low Advance Payment offers, for example, £99 for the Golf S, and zero Advance Payment on the Polo S and Match models.

Commenting on the commendation, head of Volkswagen Fleet Services, Vince Kinner, said: ‘We’re delighted to receive this award and proud that we have been recognised as people who are committed to Motability, both through the products we are able to offer and the service and back-up we provide both internally and through our Retailer network.’

Motability Operations manages the worry-free Motability Scheme for over 600,000 disabled people and their families. Anyone who receives the Higher Rate Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance or the War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement can exchange this monthly payment to lease a brand new car, scooter or powered wheelchair through the Motability Scheme.

Article source: www.volkswagen.co.uk

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