RE: VW's R brand: we're going for diesel and 4WD
Wednesday 23rd November 2011
Controversial rumblings from VW's 'R' brand bosses about the future shape of fast VWs: "The future is diesel and all-wheel-drive."
This means (though this is taking an Olympic-standard long jump to draw such a conclusion) that we could well be seeing an oil-burning 'R' car (VW Golf GTD R, anyone?) before too long. Which could be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on your prejudices/predelictions...
VW's R brand: we're going for diesel and 4WD
But don't worry; they're going for lightweight tech, too...
Controversial rumblings from VW's 'R' brand bosses about the future shape of fast VWs: "The future is diesel and all-wheel-drive."
These are the words of Ulrich Richter, R GmbH's executive director, speaking to US blog site Autoblog at the LA show.
More universally encouraging news comes from R's assertion that low weight is more effective for economy than hybrid tech. "You can get the same efficiency [as a hybrid] by dropping 100 kilos," says Richter. Which, as much as it might be a statement of the bleedin' obvious to many, is also good news for those who like their fast VW's with a side-serving of agility, and not an extra lump of dead-weight battery.
Discussion
If only they can tune a diesel to be interesting in it's delivery.
All too often they are mid-range heavy and make say 90% or more of their peak power from 3000rpm onwards.
But at the same time, that is a core reason people like them, easy fast day to day, but then not so fun on a mini-hoon home.
Catch 22, it'll be interesting to see how they work around it!
Dave
All too often they are mid-range heavy and make say 90% or more of their peak power from 3000rpm onwards.
But at the same time, that is a core reason people like them, easy fast day to day, but then not so fun on a mini-hoon home.
Catch 22, it'll be interesting to see how they work around it!
Dave
Ali_T said:
I take it they don't intend to sell any in the US, Middle East or Asia then?
Why would they be bothered with those markets when they have the petrol Golf R?This car could potentially weigh less and have more torque than the petrol Golf R. Whichever way you cut it, that's an interesting prospect for European buyers.
There's no denying that diesels have come on massively in recent years. Outputting power figures comparable or even better than their petrol counterparts. Not only this, but the way this power is delivered is much, much more linear than it has been previously.
Just look at the latest twin turbo diesels on the market. You'd barely even know that the 535d/335d was a diesel, at all. People even compare the power delivery from the 123d to a larger naturally aspirated engine. Even my mapped 320d picks up from 1500rpm and pulls smoothly all the way to 5000rpm, and that's a traditional single turbo. I'm using BMW as an example because in my opinion they are clearly leading the way.
Tie that up with the economy and torque that a diesel provides and you're on to a winner. No doubt.
Diesels are only going to get better. Give it another few years and haters will definitely be eating their words.
BMW ///M? VW GTD R? It's exciting to see what the future of diesel holds.
I'm not a "derv head" either, so hold off with those comments diesel haters! I'm a petrol head myself, but there's not denying the future is to be dominated by diesel performance cars.
Smaller, turbo petrol engined cars will also be the trend... boo.
Just look at the latest twin turbo diesels on the market. You'd barely even know that the 535d/335d was a diesel, at all. People even compare the power delivery from the 123d to a larger naturally aspirated engine. Even my mapped 320d picks up from 1500rpm and pulls smoothly all the way to 5000rpm, and that's a traditional single turbo. I'm using BMW as an example because in my opinion they are clearly leading the way.
Tie that up with the economy and torque that a diesel provides and you're on to a winner. No doubt.
Diesels are only going to get better. Give it another few years and haters will definitely be eating their words.
BMW ///M? VW GTD R? It's exciting to see what the future of diesel holds.
I'm not a "derv head" either, so hold off with those comments diesel haters! I'm a petrol head myself, but there's not denying the future is to be dominated by diesel performance cars.
Smaller, turbo petrol engined cars will also be the trend... boo.
80sboy said:
Just look at the latest twin turbo diesels on the market. You'd barely even know that the 535d/335d was a diesel, at all. People even compare the power delivery from the 123d to a larger naturally aspirated engine.
This statement is certain to cause an arguement!Out of interest, would you be able to fish up any graphs to show the similarities? I genuinly don't know how the torque curves compare!
I am sure other manufacturers are smiling with this news.
Yes by all means make a R Diesel but include a petrol as well.
Surely not too hard and let the drivers pick which model they desire.
This means if one does not sell so well drop it.
I do however like the sound of weight loss on a car
Only problem about that statement is 4WD adds weight.........lol
Yes by all means make a R Diesel but include a petrol as well.
Surely not too hard and let the drivers pick which model they desire.
This means if one does not sell so well drop it.
I do however like the sound of weight loss on a car
Only problem about that statement is 4WD adds weight.........lol
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