Motor Authority - blog Tag: Drive

German independent vehicle manufacturer Karmann shut its doors for the last time late last month as the company heads into bankruptcy but the move may not be final according to latest reports. Karmann has reportedly inked a $14 million deal with Volkswagen to help with the development and supply of the automaker’s future electric vehicles.

The information was first reported by Germany’s Neue Osnabruecker Zeitung, which claims that Karmann will use the funds to form a restructured company with 1,600 employees.

Neither Karmann nor VW has confirmed the reports but given Karmann’s recent work with German utility Oldenburg... German independent vehicle manufacturer Karmann shut its doors for the last time late last month as the company heads into bankruptcy but the move may not be final according to latest reports. Karmann has reportedly inked a $14 million deal with Volkswagen to help with the development and supply of the automaker’s future electric vehicles. The information was first reported by Germany’s Neue Osnabruecker Zeitung, which claims that Karmann will use the funds to form a restructured company with 1,600 employees. Neither Karmann nor VW has confirmed the reports but given Karmann’s recent work with German utility Oldenburg Energy Group (EWE) as well as Volkswagen’s own TwinDrive vehicle concepts, there’s a strong chance the two companies may join forces. Furthermore, before going under, Karmann showed off an electric vehicle concept called the E3, which had a claimed range of 90 miles and a top speed of 85mph, and before that it was contracted to build the DuraCar electric van for a company in Europe.Volkswagen Golf Mark VI TwinDrive Read More

During an informational visit by the Chinese carmaker BYD (Build Your Dreams), company chairman Wang Chuanfu and the CEO of Volkswagen Martin Winterkorn signed a memorandum of understanding in the area of electric mobility. The objective of signing a memorandum of understanding between the two companies is to explore the options for partnership in the area of hybrids and electric vehicles powered by lithium batteries.

The visit, which took place first at the Elektrotraktion Technology Centre in Isenbüttel, Germany, featured technical discussions and test drives with a variety of vehicles such as the Golf TwinDrive hybrid and a new prototype... During an informational visit by the Chinese carmaker BYD (Build Your Dreams), company chairman Wang Chuanfu and the CEO of Volkswagen Martin Winterkorn signed a memorandum of understanding in the area of electric mobility. The objective of signing a memorandum of understanding between the two companies is to explore the options for partnership in the area of hybrids and electric vehicles powered by lithium batteries. The visit, which took place first at the Elektrotraktion Technology Centre in Isenbüttel, Germany, featured technical discussions and test drives with a variety of vehicles such as the Golf TwinDrive hybrid and a new prototype for an all-electric vehicle. Both companies see hybrids and electric vehicles playing an increasingly important role, especially in China. By partnering, the two companies will be able to quickly expand their activities. VW recently partnered with Sanyo to help develop new lithium-ion battery technologies and in the past 12 months has unveiled several electric and hybrid concepts. However, VW does not intend to mass market such vehicles until around 2015. In the meantime, the company will continue to focus on improving the efficiency of its petrol and diesel engines. There will be some mild hybrid models in the interim, however, as VW sees these as a stepping stone to an all-electric future for the auto industry.space up! blueVolkswagen Golf Mark VI TwinDrive Read More

Following in the footsteps of last year’s Golf TwinDrive and Space up! Blue concept vehicles, Volkswagen will reinforce its electric car image with the unveiling of a brand new concept car at this September’s Frankfurt Motor Show. The latest concept is described as a rival to General Motors’ Volt plug-in hybrid, though VW in the past has revealed that it doesn’t expect to have mass produced electric cars on sale until the middle of the next decade.

The information was confirmed by VW’s communications chief Peter Thul, who revealed to AutoExpress that the carmaker will have a “host of concept cars”... Following in the footsteps of last year’s Golf TwinDrive and Space up! Blue concept vehicles, Volkswagen will reinforce its electric car image with the unveiling of a brand new concept car at this September’s Frankfurt Motor Show. The latest concept is described as a rival to General Motors’ Volt plug-in hybrid, though VW in the past has revealed that it doesn’t expect to have mass produced electric cars on sale until the middle of the next decade. The information was confirmed by VW’s communications chief Peter Thul, who revealed to AutoExpress that the carmaker will have a “host of concept cars” on show in Frankfurt. Thul wasn’t willing to reveal any details but explained that it won’t be based on a sports car platform as speculated by some recent reports. “We will not launch a niche market car just to show our electric technology,” he continued. “We would only launch a car that people could actually buy at a reasonable price. It would need to have a range of 200km, be safe, reliable and able to be used every day,” he explained. VW recently partnered with Sanyo to help develop new lithium-ion battery technologies and in the past 12 months has unveiled several electric and hybrid concepts. However, as previously mentioned, VW does not intend to mass market such vehicles until around 2015. In the meantime, the company will continue to focus on improving the efficiency of its petrol and diesel engines. There will be some mild hybrid models in the interim, however, as VW sees these as a stepping stone to an all-electric future for the auto industry.space up! blueVolkswagen Golf Mark VI TwinDrive Read More

Seat has unveiled an electrically-driven prototype based on its Leon hatchback, which the company plans to trial in an urban environment together with the Spanish government. The technology behind the new prototype is Volkswagen Group’s Twin Drive plug-in hybrid powertrain, which was first displayed in a Mark V Golf hatch and then again in the new Mark VI model.

The prototype receives its name from its twin powerplant design, which features an electric motor designed for city driving and an internal combustion engine for longer trips. Likewise, certain elements such as the gearbox, brakes, heating and cooling systems, and a... Seat has unveiled an electrically-driven prototype based on its Leon hatchback, which the company plans to trial in an urban environment together with the Spanish government. The technology behind the new prototype is Volkswagen Group’s Twin Drive plug-in hybrid powertrain, which was first displayed in a Mark V Golf hatch and then again in the new Mark VI model. The prototype receives its name from its twin powerplant design, which features an electric motor designed for city driving and an internal combustion engine for longer trips. Likewise, certain elements such as the gearbox, brakes, heating and cooling systems, and a substantial part of the electronics have also been modified. The electric motor is powered by a group of lithium-ion batteries located at the rear of the vehicle, providing sustainable power of 35kW and a restricted top speed of 100km/h. On electric power alone the vehicle can travel a total distance of 50km. After that its internal combustion engine, a highly efficient turbodiesel unit, kicks in. The idea is that the electric motor will be used exclusively for short urban trips and the internal combustion engine for longer journeys and highway travel. VW is also conducting its own trial of the Twin Drive system together with the German government. The company will trial a fleet of 20 Twin Drive Golfs later this year under a new scheme investigating the future of personal mobility. To ensure the cars are true zero-emissions vehicles, the electrical energy required to charge the batteries under the trial will be generated from renewable resources such as wind and hydro power. Both companies expect to have the first production models ready for public sale around 2014.2008 Volkswagen Twin Drive ConceptVolkswagen Golf Mark VI TwinDriveSeat Leon Twin Drive Ecomotive plug-in hybrid Read More

A few months back Volkswagen revealed its intentions to enter the race to build and market ultra-efficient plug-in hybrid vehicles with the unveiling of the original Golf TwinDrive. The concept car, based on the Mark V Golf, featured a twin powerplant design with an electric motor designed for city driving and an internal combustion engine for longer trips.

The carmaker has now showed of a second-generation design, this time in the newMark VI Golf. In the latest version, the car develops a combined output of 176hp (130kW) and can automatically switch between electric-only, petrol-only, or a combination of both, with an intelligent operating... A few months back Volkswagen revealed its intentions to enter the race to build and market ultra-efficient plug-in hybrid vehicles with the unveiling of the original Golf TwinDrive. The concept car, based on the Mark V Golf, featured a twin powerplant design with an electric motor designed for city driving and an internal combustion engine for longer trips. The carmaker has now showed of a second-generation design, this time in the newMark VI Golf. In the latest version, the car develops a combined output of 176hp (130kW) and can automatically switch between electric-only, petrol-only, or a combination of both, with an intelligent operating system picking the optimal operating mode depending on individual route conditions. While a typical hybrid vehicle uses an electric motor to supplement its internal combustion engine, "the exact opposite is true on the TwinDrive: here the diesel or gasoline engine supplements the E-motor," explained VW CEO Martin Winterkorn. No independent tests have been conducted yet but VW claims the vehicle averages about 94mpg (2.5L/100km) in fuel-economy and drive up to 50km on electric power alone. VW will trial a fleet of 20 TwinDrive Golfs early next year together with the German government under a new scheme investigating the future of personal mobility. To ensure the cars are true zero-emissions vehicles, the electrical energy required to charge the batteries under the trial will be generated from renewable resources such as wind and hydro power.2008 Volkswagen Twin Drive ConceptVolkswagen Golf Mark VI TwinDrive Read More