Los Angeles Auto Show: Volkswagen summary

It extends from the most advanced internal combustion engines of the present to the fuel cells of the future.

* The new Touareg V6 TDI with 222 HP Clean Diesel engine is making its world debut in Los Angeles. The Touareg V6 TDI defines a completely new generation of extremely economical and low emissions SUVs. Equipped with the most advanced catalytic converter production system to date, it fulfils the BIN5 emissions standard, and with it the legal requirements of all 50 states in the USA

* The huge potential of Volkswagen's TDI engines is also reflected in "Clean Diesel Racing". In the US Cup by the same name, it is the racing version of the 170 PS Jetta TDI that is exciting car racing fans. Also legendary is the Baja 1000 - possibly the most spectacular rally race in the world. Volkswagen is presenting the new Baja Touareg TDI for this classic race as a world premiere in Los Angeles. Competing for fame and honor in the king's class of "Trophy Trucks" on November 21, this is a powerful 542 HP yet fuel efficient turbodiesel off-roader

* Since August, the Jetta TDI and Jetta SportWagen TDI have been marketed as Clean Diesels in the USA. They too are taking the stage at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Their 138 HP four-cylinder turbodiesel is so fuel efficient and clean that a 1,300 dollar tax credit is being offered on these models

* The Clean Diesel Offensive of the third-largest carmaker in the world is part of a powertrain and fuel strategy that starts in the present and extends far into the future. It is clear that internal combustion engines, hybrid systems, pure electric drives and vehicles with fuel cells will exist side-by-side in the future. Volkswagen is working toward attaining a balanced mix of these systems

* At the Los Angeles Auto Show, Volkswagen is demonstrating three fuel cell prototypes: the Tiguan, the Touran and the Passat Lingyu (a saloon customised for use in China). All three zero emissions vehicles can be test driven by journalists at the Los Angeles Auto Show

[B]Los Angeles Auto Show 2008: Tiguan with fuel cell[/B]

* Los Angeles Auto Show sees the debut of a Tiguan "Hymotion" prototype powered by a fuel cell, the first such SUV from Volkswagen

* Compared to earlier prototypes, this has higher performance and is more efficient

* Fuel cell system has a total power output of 107 HP; integrated in the engine bay with the electric motor 134 HP

* Top speed of 140 km/h and 0 to 100 km/h in around 14 seconds

* Energy storage is via a lithium-ion battery with a 6.8 Ampere hour charge capacity

* Battery is charged though regenerative braking or the fuel cell

* Battery system is installed under the Tiguan's loadspace floor

* A new 700-bar hydrogen tank is integrated under the rear bench seat and cargo area

* This can hold 3.2 kg of hydrogen, enough for a driving range of around 200 km of silent and emission free driving

* The fuel cell delivers electrical energy to the motor via a converter and a downstream inverter

[B]Future Volkswagen Fuel Cell systems[/B]

* Volkswagen is developing for the future a unique high temperature fuel cell (HTFC) which offers many advantages over current fuel cell technology including a simplified, less expensive and more compact cooling system, a lower power drop under continuous load and a higher thermal efficiency

* HTFCs, already running successfully in the laboratory, are scheduled to be operating in research vehicles in 2010

* By 2020 the first fuel cell powered Volkswagen offering practicality and affordability could reach production

[B]Los Angeles Auto Show 2008: Touran with fuel cell[/B]

* Also on show in LA is a Touran compact MPV powered by a fuel cell

* It uses a low temperature fuel cell (LTFC) and demonstrates how a fuel cell drive can be successfully integrated into an MPV with minimal impact on space

* Like the Tiguan, the Touran has an 107 HP electric motor

* Electrical energy is supplied by the fuel cell which obtains energy from the natural reaction between hydrogen and oxygen

* Standstill to 100 km/h takes 14 seconds and the Touran has a top speed of 140 km/h

* Unlike the Tiguan, the Touran uses a nickel-hydride battery with an energy capacity of around 1.9 kWh (it was designed a generation before the lithium-ion battery used in the Tiguan)

* The nickel-hydride battery is charged by the fuel cell or regenerative braking

[B]Los Angeles Auto Show 2008: Touareg V6 TDI Clean Diesel key facts[/B]

* Due to be introduced to the American market in early 2009

* New V6 TDI with innovative Clean Diesel technology represents the most fuel-efficient and lowest emitting Touareg yet produced

* Fulfils the strictest emissions regulations, including the BIN5 standard which is mandatory in the American states of California, Massachusetts, New York, Vermont and Maine. This is comparable to Euro 6 which becomes law in 2014

* Touareg's 3.0-litre V6 TDI engine uses third generation common rail technology to produce 222 HP at 4,000 rpm and torque of 550 Nm from 1,750 rpm

* It is mated to a standard six-speed tiptronic automatic gearbox; 0 to 100 km/h takes 8.5 seconds and the Touareg has a top speed limited to 210 km/h

* Improvements in emissions are thanks to the high-end exhaust gas recirculation system (AGR) and Selective Catalytic Reduction catalytic converter (SCR) together with an additive, AdBlue. Together, SCR and AdBlue lead to a significant reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions

* The Touareg also features an oxidation catalytic converter and diesel particulate filter (DPF) to reduce other potentially harmful emissions

* 'Selective' in SCR refers to the way the catalytic converter selectively converts nitrogen oxide (NOx) components in the exhaust system into nitrogen and water

* First, exhaust gases flow through the oxidation catalytic converter, then the DPF and then the SCR catalytic converter

* The nitrogen oxides are converted in the SCR catalytic converter using AdBlue, a synthetically-produced, water-based solution containing 32.5 per cent urea

* Stored in an auxiliary tank under the spare wheel, the AdBlue solution is continuously sprayed into the exhaust gas, upstream of the SCR catalytic converter. The rate of spray is metered via engine management according to the mass flow rate of the exhaust gas using an NOx sensor downstream of the SCR catalytic converter. Atomised into a fine vapour through a screen, the urea in the AdBlue is converted in the hot exhaust gas upstream of the catalytic converter, reacting with the nitrogen oxides and splitting them into nitrogen and water without producing other by-products

* AdBlue is water-based, non-toxic, odour-free and biodegradable

* On average, 0.1 litres of AdBlue are used per 100 km; AdBlue would be refilled as part of the standard servicing regime

[U]Volkswagen engineers have also made other modifications[/U]:

* Combustion chamber sensors are used for the first time to monitor pressure conditions in the cylinders to enable perfect control of injection and combustion

* Third generation common rail system with 2,000 bar injection pressure ensures optimum atomisation of the fuel

* Piezo injectors are also significantly modified with smaller eight-hole nozzles able to inject fuel in minuscule volumes

* Uses an integrated intercooler for the turbocharger and an innovative method to help the V6 TDI achieve its ideal operating temperature as quickly as possible

* Touareg V6 TDI with Clean Diesel returns a 'city' fuel economy of 13 liters/100 km (US) and 9.4 liters/100km (US) on the 'highway' test

* Plans to bring the new model to the UK are yet to be confirmed

[B]Los Angeles Auto Show 2008: Jetta Clean Diesel key facts[/B]

* Jetta with Clean Diesel has been available across the USA since August 2008

* One of the cleanest and most fuel efficient engines on sale in the USA

* Fulfils the strictest emissions regulations in the world, including the BIN5 standard which is mandatory in the American states of California, Massachusetts, New York, Vermont and Maine (roughly equivalent to the Euro 6 standard which becomes law in 2014)

* Uses a 2.0-litre four cylinder common rail TDI engine producing 138 HP and 320 Nm of torque at 1,750 rpm

* Achieves 'highway' consumption of 5.74 liters/100km

* Features two key 'Clean Diesel' modifications which substantially reduce NOx:

o Exhaust gas recirculation: Within certain limits, the production of nitrogen oxides can be resolved by optimised combustion chamber geometries and extremely precise injection processes at extremely high pressures. It is also necessary to limit combustion temperatures and reduce the concentration of oxygen with which the nitrogen reacts to produce nitrogen oxides. Both goals can be accomplished by external exhaust gas recirculation in the combustion chamber. The gas is taken from the exhaust system and cooled on the way to the combustion chamber. These actions can reduce temperature-dependent nitrogen oxide emissions by up to 60 per cent.

o The rest is treated by the NOx storage catalytic converter which soaks up the nitrogen oxides like a sponge with very high efficiency. Similar to the particulate filter, it is cleaned regularly and without the driver noticing. Engine management switches over to an operating mode with richer combustion for a few seconds to accomplish this. The N0x storage catalytic converter is intended for use with ultra low sulphur diesel fuel (less than 15 parts per million)

Credits: JRC