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VW provides Games eco-friendly vehicles

By Li Fangfang (China Daily)
Updated: 2008-08-11 15:46

To help achieve a green Olympics, the Games' official automobile sponsor Volkswagen is providing energy efficient and environmentally friendly vehicles.

In addition to the 5,000 vehicles the German automaker has provided for the Beijing Olympic organizing committee (BOCOG) for athletes and VIPs, Volkswagen Group (China) is also providing an Olympic "Green Fleet".

The fleet includes 30 vehicles, "representing Volkswagen's world-leading technology on energy conservation and emission control," says Pan Qing, director of Volkswagen Group (China) Olympic marketing.

More importantly, "the technologies in this fleet are suitable and feasible for the current China market, especially to help it commit to an environmentally friendly society", says Pan.

He also says that Volkswagen also chose eco-friendly cars which "are possible to be introduced in the China market within two to three years" to make up the fleet, although Volkswagen had the capability to produce hybrid cars years ago.

"During (1996) Atlanta Olympics, the official automotive supplier provided a green car with energy-saving, low-emission technology. However, it was a concept car still in the R&D stage and not ready for the market for 20 years," Pan says.

"(The Beijing Volkswagen fleet) is in line with Volkswagen's conception of providing the public with fuel economy cars at a low price, not using high-cost technology like hybrid or hydrogen-powered," adds Christian Koch, executive vice-president of Production and Logistics and member of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Group (China).

"Like our company's name (People's car in English), we are the auto provider for the masses."

The fleet also includes the Sagitar 1.4 TSI, Magotan BlueMotion, Magotan 2.0 TDI (turbo-charged direct injection), Tiguan 2.0 TDI and Touran EcoFuel, which provides shuttle service for the media to and from the Main Press Center.

Supported by Volkswagen's advanced powertrain technology, the green fleet is equipped with world-leading engines, gearboxes, clean fuel and other hi-tech solutions for a powerful drive, low fuel consumption and low emissions.

They are all able to meet the rigid Euro V emission standard.

According to the company, the TDI combines turbo charging and direct fuel injection, achieving both high power and lower fuel consumption.

Volkswagen's DSG transmission employs a twin-clutch technology that integrates two sets of gears to control shifting, making for a faster gear change that helps save fuel.

The combined TDI and gearbox technologies can save more than 20 percent in fuel while at the same time making driving more fun, the company says.

In Europe, diesel-powered autos now account for more than 50 percent of passenger car registrations. In Paris, almost all taxis are equipped with diesel engines, which have lower fuel consumption but greater power than gasoline powered vehicles.

Three models in Volkswagen's Green Fleet are powered with diesel engines.

"We will be pleased to have the diesel engine produced in China at any time once the market needs it. We will continue to push to make the diesel popular in China," says Koch.

Alternative fuels are another option for green auto technology, says Volkswagen.

"The Touran EcoFuel shows Volkswagen's commitment in this direction," says Pan.

Fueled with compressed natural gas (CNG), the Touran EcoFuel car can reach up to 180 km per hour while using 5.8 liters of CNG per 100 km. It drives 310 km on one tank of fuel. The CNG is stored in four tanks underneath the car body, and the company says the system is as safe as gasoline or diesel designs.

"As the automotive partner of the 29th Olympic Games, Volkswagen has always been trying to merge the concept of Green Olympics and Hi-Tech Olympics advocated by the Beijing Olympic Games with its own goal of energy conservation, safety and environmental protection," says Koch.

"Volkswagen has made unremitting efforts to introduce the most advanced technologies and the most environmentally friendly products to China. This is also a proof that Volkswagen's world-leading powertrain technology and clean fuel technology have been a success in China," says Koch.

The powertrain strategy calls for all the Volkswagen autos produced in China by 2010 to have the fuel consumption and emissions to be reduced by 20 percent.

To reach that goal, by 2010 all Volkswagen models will be equipped with the latest multi-point injection or turbo supercharged injection engines.

A new powertrain technology, including turbo charging and advanced transmissions, will be used in all local models made at FAW Volkswagen and Shanghai Volkswagen.

As the first step of this strategy, the 1.8 TSI engine, rolled off the production line at the Volkswagen FAW engine plant in Dalian at the same time the technology was being introduced in Europe.

The joint venture between Volkswagen and China First Auto Works announced its inauguration last March to contribute to the powertrain strategy with engines using the latest turbo fuel stratified injection technology.