It's based on the Polo WRC's rally engine, and produces such impressive output/torque, thanks to a monoscroll turbocharger and e-booster (a form of electric turbocharging to improve dynamic torque build-up in smaller engines).
It's also a reflection that VW believes there is still plenty of life left in the internal combustion engine.
"A nice example of just how much potential combustion engines still have in them", said Dr Heinz-Jakob Neußer, Volkswagen management board member for development at the annual International Vienna Motor Symposium, which is held by the Austrian Society of Automotive Engineers.
The incredible 1.0-litre mill from Volkswagen.
The Volkswagen Group uses a wide range of powertrains – ranging from petrol and diesel engines to natural gas vehicles, plug-in hybrids, purely electric cars and potentially fuel cell cars.
At the other extreme is the new 6.0 litre W12TSI for the Volkswagen Group's premium models such as Audi and Bentley. The W12 TSI is said to be the most economical 12-cylinder engine in the luxury car segment. It produces 608 PS at 6,000rpm) and a maximum torque of 900Nm from 1,500 to 4,500rpm, while dumping CO2 emissions of less than 250g/km into the air. Depending on the vehicle model, the 6.0l 12-cylinder engine delivers acceleration values of 0 to 100kph in less than four seconds and top speeds of over 300kph.
"High-efficiency TDI and TSI/TFSI engines – ideally in combination with DSG – will remain indispensable for the foreseeable future," said Dr Neußer.
"The reduction of CO2 emissions from internal combustion engines is pure high-tech nowadays. Examples of this are our high rpm diesel as well as the high-performance three-cylinder TSI engine.”
VW also announced a new coating technique called "laser roughening", which is expected to boost engine performance by reducing internal friction. Describing it as "an important innovation in manufacturing technology" to be used in large-scale production in future, Dr. Neußer said laser roughening not only reduces tool wear to zero, but also achieves consistent results and can be used for all materials.
Dr Neußer pointed out at the May 7-8 symposium that customers have come to expect digitalisation in buying cars, presenting car makers with the greatest challenge, "because infotainment, assistance systems and networking have come to be at least as important to many customers as the engine performance."
"The Golf R Touch concept car has everything on board that characterises the cockpit of the future: full connectivity thanks to the integration of apps, smartphones, tablets and smart watches, as well as large touchscreens and, last but not least, gesture control, which opens the sunroof at a wave of the hand. Over and above this, we are also pushing the envelope when it comes to automatic or piloted driving and are working on new business models and a range of digital services relating to our cars."
The 6.0-litre W12 TSI engine.
