Volkswagen R cars' future is diesel, AWD; light weight trumps hybrids

[cawimmer430]

Volkswagen R cars' future is diesel, AWD; light weight trumps hybrids



The Volkswagen R performance sub-brand isn't just a niche cog in the massive machine known as the Volkswagen Auto Group. If R GmbH's heads are to be believed, it's an instrumental component of the German automaker's push to offer something for everyone. And after speaking with the two men shepherding R into the future, it appears that good things are on the way.

With the Golf R set to go on sale in the U.S. early next year and R-branded performance parts already proliferating throughout VW's core products, Ulrich Riestenpatt gt. Richter, R's Executive Director, and Dr. Hendrik Muth, R's marketing head, are looking to the future. Fortunately, they were thoughtful enough to provide Autoblog with a small glimpse into what's on the way.

"The future is diesel and all-wheel-drive," Richter told us on the floor of last week's LA Auto Show. That could mean that the next great performance offering from VW R could come in the form of an AWD diesel hatch ? essentially an oil-burning Golf R. Further, Richter contends that he can make an R version of any vehicle in the VW stable, so don't be surprised to see a Passat R in the coming years and the Beetle R getting the green light.

Just as telling, Richter says that while hybrids have their place (VW will be introducing a Jetta hybrid at the Detroit Auto Show), the fuel savings of hybrid-electric systems pale in comparison to weight reduction. "You can get the same efficiency [as a hybrid] by dropping 100 kilos," Richter admits, but the high cost of advanced composites ? namely carbon fiber ? is still too high. So that means more aluminum is on the way, and partnered with a high-performance diesel powerplant, enthusiasts should be able to have their tire-shredding cake and eat less at the pump in the process.



Link: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/21/volkswagen-r-cars-future-is-diesel-awd-light-weight-trumps-hy/

[GoCougs]

"Performance" diesel? Yeah, only with the the government sticking a gun in yer face. Makes as about as much sense as a "performance" hybrid...

[AltinD]

Well, of course Cougs has never driven a diesel ...

[AltinD]

BTW, I am wondering what they will use for the Passat R. The B7 V6 model in Europe comes with the same 3.6 VR6 300 HP that powered the B6 R36, only with a faster 0 - 62 time of 5.5 sec (5.9 on the B6 R36). Unless they upgrade the DSG to handle more torque then currently, they can't turbo or s/charge that engine. I don't know what else they can do, considering they can't stick the Audi's 3.0T either.

[r0tor]

If anyone can build a performance diesel, its obviously vw/audi

[giant_mtb]

Diesel FTW!  Hybrids are teh ghey.

[cawimmer430]

If anyone can build a performance diesel, its obviously vw/audi

2012 BMW 550dx to be AWD torquemonster with 516 lb-ft



A BMW dealer in the Netherlands has leaked what it says is a tasty bit of information on the upcoming diesel 5 Series. According to 5post.com, the vehicle will boast a tri-turbo inline six-cylinder oil burner good for around 381 horsepower. That number is a far cry from the 500-pony speculation that had been making the rounds until recently, but that doesn't mean that the big 5 Series will be any slouch on the road. The dealer also let slip that the vehicle will arrive packing 516 pound-feet of torque, which should be more than enough for the big sedan's all-wheel drive system to rip up massive handfuls of asphalt to throw at lesser machinery.

Speaking of all-wheel drive, word has it that the 550d will only be available with all four corners turning, at least initially. Production is set to kick off in March of next year, and true to form, there's no telling whether or not the big, powerful diesel will be available to U.S. buyers. There's also some indication that this potent engine will show up in hardware like the next-generation BMW X5 and X6, though there are no fuel economy estimates to be had at this time. Presumably, a Touring variant like the one shown above will be on offer overseas, as well, making it this Bimmer a covet-worthy alternative to a premium crossover.


Link: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/22/2...ith-516-lb-ft/

[AltinD]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vu_wjDcTG8g

[cawimmer430]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vu_wjDcTG8g

Diesels are slow, noisy and underpowered! 

[AltinD]

Diesels are slow, noisy and underpowered! 

What were the guys on the GTS saying? They really seamed shocked by the acceleation o what tuned out to be a slow diesel?

[cawimmer430]

What were the guys on the GTS saying? They really seamed shocked by the acceleation o what tuned out to be a slow diesel?

They were completely surprised that the Phaeton was leaving them in the dust.

From the conversation, the bits (couldn't understand some bits because of the music)...

"That's impossible!"
"What engines does he have?"
"He's pulling away!"
"He probably weighs less and has less coefficient of drag!" <--- Typical German response. LMAO at that guy in the back who said this...
"We are at 214 km/h and he's still pulling away!"
"Catch up to him, I want to see what engine he has..."
"He's still driving faster!"
"What engines does he have?"
"It doesn't say."
"Yes it does down right..."
"5.0?"
"Yep, V10 TDI."
"Goes like hell!"
"How many horsepower?"
"313-hp."

[AltinD]

I understood the 313 HP part

Back in C&D forum, some American guy living in germany (I think his user name was Tom) had been using one of those as a product tester, just before it was to be released. He was amaized by the asphalt tearing torque monster.

There was even a Touareg R50

[Submariner]

So, how is Claudia?

[cawimmer430]

So, how is Claudia?

In Switzerland with her boyfriend who drives an Audi RS4 and she drives it to.