(from Volkswagen
Press Release) Volkswagen presents the world’s first TSI
engine (twincharger) powered by natural gas (CNG) as its fuel on the
Geneva Auto Salon. The highly efficient 1.4 liter TSI-CNG engine
drives the Concept A study. It’s a cross between a sports car and
SUV distinguished by a powerful and aesthetic design with excellent
all round features.
The 1.4 TSI-CNG is
doubled charged via compressor and turbo, performing with 110 kW /
150 hp and reaching its maximum torque at 220 Newton meter. For
every hundred kilometers it averages a mere 5.0 kg of natural gas.
Highly charged engines like Volkswagen's TSI generally have a very
high efficiency degree. In using CNG (compressed natural gas, 130
ROZ) the efficiency improves even more. One of the positive effects:
the CO2 balance of TSI-CNG engines improves by another 20 to 25
percent when compared to fuel gas driven TSIs. Furthermore the
TSI+CNG presents itself as an important stepping stone towards a
mobility technology en route to becoming independent from crude oil.
Through conversion from natural gas to synthetic fuel
(gas-to-liquids) for instance Synfuel is produced. It is
environmentally benign bio-degradable fuel which – among other
things – allows the mentioned CCS hybrid combustion process.
But the Concept is not
only clean, sporty and economic. But more so the study manifests a
new progressive design philosophy. Its front part with a new 3D
crest radiator grill made out of brushed aluminum and distinguished
head lights form a congenial yet confident progressive appearance.
The “face” is well known, just not on an automobile, it looks like
the mirror image of a cheetah. The silhouette shows the lines of a
coupe. The front and rear doors open facing each other. The carriage
overhangs are briskly short, the hood long, the C columns one of a
kind. 20 inch alloy rims and 295 tires fill out the space in the
distinctively extended wheelhouses.
On the outside the
Concept A wears the intensive blue color shade of semi transparent
glacier formations – “Glacier Metallic” the name. Mixed in glass
flakes increase the depth of the paint built up in the piano lacquer
technique. The rear part, with its athletic flanks, imparts a strong
elegance. The hatchback is made of two parts; the area under the
rear lights lifts up like a pick up loading surface and thus creates
a lot of room for big items. At the bottom the motor exhales via two
round chrome pipes. The interior presents itself spacious and open.
Light and air dominate the space’s feel. If needed, a large soft top
can be swerved all the way back to the C column.
CONCEPT A POWER /
For the first time
Volkswagen switches a double charged motor to natural gas. In the
Concept A it would fulfill the emissions norm Euro 5
The study shown in
Geneva is powered by a 110 kW (150 hp) strong natural gas
Twincharger (TSI), whose motto is “maximum driving pleasure, minimum
consumption”. Its power reaches the wheels via a six gear
transmission and an all wheel drive 4MOTION. The gas fuel only
version of this motor double charged via compressor and turbo – the
1,390 cm3 large TSI with 103 kW / 140 hp will be used in the Touran
this spring. This high-tech four cylinder is perfect for being
powered by alternative fuels like natural gas. In comparison to gas
fuel powered engines the already low CO2 emissions are reduced by a
significant 22 percent.
CONCEPT A VISION /
The study shown in
Geneva is a vision, a fascinating Volkswagen, which should be
accessible for as many people as possible
The Concept A is the
vision of an ideal Volkswagen. One of many variations of the future.
They are all connected by one claim: Volkswagen, like the Concept A,
have to be feasible for many customers and meaningfully expand the
model spectrum. Today this spectrum ranges from the Fox to the
Phaeton. But more and more we will be seeing a fascinating diversity
between these columns. CrossPolo, Golf GTI, Golf R32, Eos or the
Passat Individual are showing the way. The New Beetle and the New
Beetle Convertible were forerunners. The new spectrum between the
columns offers a huge potential and includes cars like the clever
Caddy Color Concept for families, the wild GX3 for California, the
large Multivan Beach for the continental trip and the consistently
versatile Eos for every day and every weather of the year.
But that’s not all. A VW
sports car also fits between the columns. And an all wheel powered
specialist of the Golf class has been on track to go into series for
quite some time. As a concentrate of various automobiles, Concept A
demonstrates where the optical journey can lead to. The crossover
study combines elements of a compact SUV with the lines of a sports
car. A designer’s coup de main.
The Concept A visually
escorts the Volkswagen brand into the future. Conceptually the
design team used a point of attack coming from the ever growing
de-fragmentation of the segments. Result: If up till now the SUV’s
put the advantages of the steep hatchback in the forefront, the
Concept A, with its coupe like rear part, underlines a more classic
dynamic. Here the design combines the no compromise elegance of a
sports car with the demonstrative robustness of an off road model. A
fun machine and high everyday efficiency, a sports car with travel
qualities, a coupe with station wagon features. The design of the
4.35 meter long, 1.85 meter wide and 1.55 meter high Concept A in
detail:
DESIGN SILHOUETTE /
Imagine this car parked
at the Gendarmenmarkt in Berlin. A pretty good picture
Here the VW language of
the new era, recently continued with the Passat and Eos, finds
another courageous step in evolution. Hereby the Concept A shows
pure dynamic. Rising lines in the side graphic and the controlled
interchange of surfaces and forms, but especially the sensational
proportions reflect this dynamic and strength. Whoever moves around
the car will always find new exciting modulations and accents; the
design of the Concept A literally plays with the light.
The 20 inch wheels with their 295 tires distributed on a wheelbase
of 2.6 meters give the impression of strength and power. The radial
spoke motive of the rims optically increases the diameter further.
The spokes lying on top of each other in two parts continue the
dominant theme of 3D and appear to be floating in the rim.
The hood is extremely
long, the back extremely short. Compact in any case are the carriage
overhangs: In the front the axle is followed by 0.93 meter, in the
rear its only 0.82 meter. The volume in between is distinguished by
a prominent design element: The strong molding of the side skirts.
Its concave transition to the surface is combined with a line at
shoulder height. Sillboards, wheel arches and fenders melt to a
muscular and excitement loaded form variety. Also applicable: What
starts as a discrete line in the front part of the silhouette at the
height of the A column, develops towards the rear to a continuously
stronger modeled shoulder in the style of very classic and timeless
sports cars.
Formally described this
shoulder line captures the light and gives the C column, which is
harmonically combined with the chassis body, its very own graphic of
a stretched triangle. Subjectively described, the incomparable C
column shows speed and a crisp linkage in the perhaps sharpest and
most dynamic rear part of any study ever presented by Volkswagen.
A contrast to the almost
sensuous form is the graphic strictness of the door groove. The
doors themselves are lined up opposite each other. The reason: the
functional advantages of the generous entry and the spectacular
picture of the open door wings. There is no room for a B column.
Detailed haptical and formal perfection let the door handles of both
wings optically appear as one. Its outer surfaces are held in
brushed aluminum while the interior surfaces are marked by a
polished upper. Because of their form and position the door handles
of the Concept A suggest a two door coupe. This impression is
enhanced by the roof contours. The flat and stretched black covered
roof covers the very low windows of the sports car silhouette.
DESIGN FRONT PART /
Cheetahs are athletic,
fast animals; the Concept A would be an athletic, fast automobile
Already at first glance
the new car communicates in a split second all optical messages over
the front part of the automobile. In the front, the design of the
Concept A shows a new evolutionary step Volkswagen’s crest radiator
grill. The V theme, known among others from the Golf GTI and Passat,
incorporates the grill as an integral element in the sculpture.
Clearly drawn out it eludes itself of the reservations of a
homogenous surface and leaps forward with a balanced concentration
of aggression. In the lower area however, the grill dodges behind a
filigree body colored crossbeam. This picture resembles a wild cat,
a Cheetah, fast, athletic, concentrated, not without desire to
attack but also familiar.
The slightly slanted
headlights, the eyes of this cat underline the exceptional confident
appearance of the Concept A. A trapeze shaped head light element is
interrupted by Volkswagen’s characteristic circle, famous since the
early days of the Beetle. LEDs catapult the traditional motive of
the round headlights into the future. The frame for the grille and
headlights are formed by the bumper elements on the side, which in
the lower continuation, visually take the V theme of the entire
front part to the top level. This V stretches from the under
carriage protection, over the crest radiator grill and the hood with
its power domes, all the way to the A columns.
Just like the soft top
of a classic Roadster, the roof rises slightly over the
comparatively low and steep front window. The aluminum outside space
of the A columns give the front window as well as the roof optical
support. In their graphic effect, dominantly designed through the
material change they form an essential design characteristic of the
Concept A.
DESIGN REAR PART /
Who says a Coupe can’t
be a pick up and a SUV can’t be a sports car? No one!
As outlined the
hatchback of the Concept A is two part. The lower part can be opened
independently and just like a pick up can stay open for the
transport of long items. The top part: The outside lying hinges are
not only a symbol for functionality and solidity they are also a
technical requirement for the distinguished flow of the coupe like
roof contour. The hatchback, with its large window and the flat
angle, reiterates a classic sports car design element.
In their graphic, the
rear lights take up a, for this day and age, typical VW design
element. The circle and the trapeze. New however is the again three
dimensional design of the rear lights and that they are an integral
part of the breathtaking shoulder of this study. At the bottom the
motor exhales via two round chrome pipes.
DESIGN INTERIOR /
Everything light and
airy, no overloading of the instruments; on good days the folding
roof turns the Concept A into a convertible
Light and air dominate
the space’s feel. A large soft top can be swerved all the way back
to the C column if needed. In its conception the interior is of an
astounding clarity. The four bucket seats offer optimum ergonomic
attributes, nonetheless they build space saving. The cockpit and
middle console are separate independent areas that were created
solitaire, free of compromises of a forced connection.
In its volume and formal
specification, the middle console already embodies a formal
connection to motor and transmission. The gear shift knob is
positioned ideally. So that while driving the right hand forms a
direct line to the strength flow between motor, transmission and all
wheel drive. The completely reduced design of the cockpit, however,
appears to be floating in the room. A central round instrument
allows for concentrating on essentials. Standing out is the formal
integration of the climate exhaust which intentionally are used as a
dominant design element. Their large space grid structure carries
functional elements like the Multi-Media-Interface.
The future of the
interior design is accompanied by a non judgmental handling of the
different materials from all provenances. The familiar
re-interpreted mixed provocatively with pure innovation. Already the
names are proof of courage and fantasy: The fixtures are covered
with black patent leather named “Black Reflection” the applications
magnesium painted in “Frozen Ice”. The doors as well as other
interior lining parts again turn to the colors “Black Reflection”
and “Frozen surface” (black nubuk leather and silver applications).
The light middle lanes of the seats are upholstered with the high
tech fabric “Antarctica”, a half transparent and extremely
breathable fiber. The sitting cheeks and leg rests are then again
decorated with black smooth and suede leather. That leaves the
carpet in the light tone “Ice Crystal” which says it all.
