Volkswagen reveals 200kW four-cylinder diesel

VOLKSWAGEN has revealed an advanced high-performance 200kW four-cylinder diesel engine and shared more early details of its upcoming 10-speed DSG at a technical presentation in Germany.

The prototype engine is based on the new 176kW/500Nm twin-turbo unit in the next-generation Passat, which sips fuel at a claimed average of 5.3 litres per 100km.

While it is already the most powerful four cylinder diesel in the German car-maker’s range, it has been developed further to produce an even higher output.

This has been achieved by extending the two-stage turbo charging with what Volkswagen calls an electric booster – essentially an electrically powered third compressor.

The charge pressure of the turbo system and the injection pressure of the common rail system has also been increased. Adding a variable valve train and improving the gas exchange cycle has helped extract more horsepower.

Torque figures are yet to be released.

Volkswagen also released more details of its new 10-speed dual-clutch gearbox (DSG). A development of the 7-speed DSG, the transmission is rated for a maximum 550Nm and purpose-built to suit the company’s MQB platform which underpins the new Passat and Golf.

According to the car-maker the 10 gears are progressively stepped, with short ratios down low improving drive-off performance, while third through to ninth are spaced to ensure good fuel efficiency during acceleration. A long tenth gear reduces revs, and therefore fuel consumption, significantly.

Volkswagen used the technical presentation to outline its goal of becoming the most sustainable car-maker by 2018. Its Think Blue campaign promotes the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions through engineering and driving habits.