Volkswagen releases a number of new cars, Touareg and Golf plug-in hybrid versions, ID.4 will debut in the second half of the year

Car Stuff

Text | James

Affected by the spread of the new coronavirus pneumonia epidemic, the Geneva Motor Show, which was originally scheduled to open today, was temporarily canceled last week. However, many car companies also held online press conferences today to release this year's new car products.

This afternoon, Volkswagen held an online press conference to preview the Volkswagen ID.4 that will be released in the second half of this year. It also released the plug-in hybrid version of the Touareg R and the eighth-generation Touareg R. Golf model. The Touareg R is the first plug-in hybrid model in Volkswagen's R high-performance series, and it is also the first model that can use driving assistance systems at a speed of up to 250 kilometers per hour.

1. Volkswagen will release the ID.4 in the second half of the year. There will also be four plug-in hybrid models on the market during the year.

At the beginning of the launch event, Volkswagen Chief Operating Officer Ralf Brandst? tter expressed support for the cancellation of the Geneva Motor Show, saying that the temporary cancellation of the auto show actually ensures the safety of more employees, staff and visitors.

In terms of Volkswagen’s product line, he said that Volkswagen will officially deliver the first ID.3 model based on the MEB pure electric platform this summer, and will also release the second model based on the MEB pure electric platform in the second half of this year. The model ID.4 of the MEB pure electric platform.

▲Volkswagen ID.4

The Volkswagen ID.4 will be a pure electric compact off-road vehicle with a cruising range expected to reach 500 kilometers (test standards are not specified). It is understood that Volkswagen ID.4 will be produced in three regions: China, the United States, and Europe.

Ralf?Brandst?tter also said that Volkswagen has currently invested 1 billion euros (approximately 7.7 billion yuan) to provide research and development support for the electrification of Volkswagen’s models. From now to 2024, Volkswagen will invest 11 billion euros (approximately 84.7 billion yuan) in the field of electric travel. Volkswagen plans to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from its models by one-third by 2025. By 2030, at least half of new models launched in Europe and China will be electric.

In addition, he also said that Volkswagen will launch four more plug-in hybrid models within this year.

2. Touareg R has strong performance? It can tow 3.5 tons of cargo

The Volkswagen Touareg R released today was originally planned to be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show. Due to the impact of the new crown pneumonia epidemic, the Geneva Motor Show was temporarily canceled. , Volkswagen released the first plug-in hybrid model of the R high-performance series in the form of an online live broadcast.

▲Volkswagen Touareg R

In terms of power, Touareg R is equipped with a plug-in hybrid system, with an overall maximum power of 340 kilowatts (462 horsepower) and a maximum comprehensive torque of 700N·m. The fuel engine uses a 3.0L V6 turbocharged engine with a maximum power of 250 kilowatts (340 horsepower), and the maximum output power of the electric motor is 100 kilowatts (136 horsepower). The Volkswagen Touareg R can also tow up to 3.5 tons of cargo by towing. Due to the electronic speed limit function of the vehicle, the top speed of the Touareg R is locked at 250 kilometers per hour.

▲Volkswagen Touareg R

The Volkswagen Touareg R is equipped with a 14.1kWh battery. If it is on urban roads, it can choose to run in pure electric mode. In pure electric mode, the Volkswagen Touareg R has a top speed of 140 kilometers per hour and a range of more than 40 kilometers (test standards are not specified). If the driver wants the vehicle to have more powerful performance, he only needs to step on the accelerator pedal, and the vehicle can automatically adjust the power output of the motor and fuel engine.

The Volkswagen Touareg R uses an 8-speed automatic transmission and is equipped with a permanent four-wheel drive system. When paired with a central differential lock, it can achieve dynamic torque distribution between the front and rear axles. The power distribution ratio between the front and rear axles is 70: Between 30 and 20:80. In other words, Volkswagen Touareg R can adapt to different power needs on different terrains.

▲Volkswagen Touareg R

Due to the plug-in hybrid system, the Volkswagen Touareg R also has very low fuel consumption. According to official data released by Volkswagen, the NEDC combined fuel consumption of the Volkswagen Touareg R is 11.8 liters per 100 kilometers in the city, 7.3 liters in the suburbs, and 9 liters combined.

In addition, the Volkswagen Touareg R is also equipped with the Travel Assist cruise assist system, whose core function is to drive forward in the center of a single lane, as well as the ACC adaptive cruise control system (speed assist control) and Lane Assist Lane keeping system (directional assist control) and other L1 level autonomous driving functions. When driving on the highway, the vehicle can help the driver complete some basic operations. To ensure safety, the driver needs to have at least one hand lightly touching the steering wheel when using this system.

▲Volkswagen used a Passat to demonstrate the working principle of the Travel Assist cruise assist system

Previously, Volkswagen also installed the Travel Assist cruise assist system on multiple models, but During use, the vehicle speed must be controlled within 210 kilometers per hour. However, on the Touareg R model, this cruise assist system can complete assisted driving work at a maximum speed of 250 kilometers per hour.

In terms of appearance, the Volkswagen Touareg R continues the appearance style of the Volkswagen Touareg, and also adds many sporty elements. For example, the word R is added to the front grille, and the body color can also be selected as R. The classic lapis lazuli color of the high-performance series is available, and the wheel hub options can be up to 22 inches.

▲Volkswagen Touareg R interior

The interior also reveals a full sporty atmosphere, whether it is the seats, center console or door interior panels, they all have the same sporty feel. elements, with the R Series logo printed on the seat headrests.

3. The eighth-generation Golf is unveiled? The plug-in hybrid GTE model is as powerful as the GTI

In addition to the sporty Volkswagen Touareg R, the eighth-generation Golf was also unveiled at the press conference today. Golf GTI, plug-in hybrid GTE and diesel GTD models.

In terms of appearance, this generation of Golf still has a compact body. There are some changes in the exterior design. At the front of the vehicle, the illuminated air intake grille is very conspicuous. The lower air intake grille is also designed in a honeycomb shape, and the fog lights are integrated into the honeycomb-shaped air intake grille.

▲The eighth-generation Volkswagen Golf, from left to right are Golf GTD, Golf GTI, and Golf GTE

In terms of interiors, the three models of the eighth-generation Golf adopt The design of the digital cockpit has 30 colors of ambient lights in the cockpit, which can create a sporty, soft or fresh atmosphere in the car.

▲Interior of Volkswagen’s eighth-generation Golf GTI

In terms of power, the Golf GTI uses a 2.0L turbocharged engine with a maximum power of 180 kilowatts (245 horsepower) and a maximum torque of 370N ·m.

The Golf GTE uses a plug-in hybrid system, in which the gasoline engine has a maximum output of 110 kilowatts (150 horsepower), and is also equipped with an electric motor with a power of 85 kilowatts (115 horsepower). The maximum output power of the plug-in hybrid system can reach 180 kilowatts (245 horsepower).

In other words, the power system of the Golf GTE is as powerful as the Golf GTI.

The battery capacity of the Golf GTE is 13kWh, which is 50% higher than the battery capacity of the previous generation Golf GTE. In pure electric mode, the Golf GTE has a top speed of 130 kilometers per hour and a range of about 60 kilometers (test standards are not specified).

The Golf GTD uses a diesel engine with a maximum power of 147 kilowatts (200 horsepower) and a maximum torque of 400N·m. The Golf GTD also reduces nitrogen oxide emissions thanks to dual SCR catalytic converters in the diesel engine.

▲The eighth-generation Volkswagen Golf, from left to right are Golf GTD, Golf GTI, and Golf GTE

In addition, all three models can also be equipped with Travel Assist cruise assist The system has similar functions to the Touareg R model and can provide the driver with steering, acceleration and braking assistance functions. However, the cruise assist system of the three Golf models can only be used at a maximum speed of 210 kilometers per hour.

Conclusion: Software and hardware jointly determine the future of car companies

Volkswagen’s release of new cars is like "making dumplings", it is easy. At the same time, the entire press conference lasted only more than 10 minutes, and the content was mainly about the outlook for future electric vehicles.

With the development of automobile electrification today, Volkswagen seems to be a little panicked, hoping to release more models to catch up with the electrification wave and be at the forefront. This year, Tesla, as an emerging car company, has achieved great success in a short period of time. Its market value has surpassed Volkswagen Group and became the second-highest car company by market value.

In the future, Volkswagen will still need to compete with traditional car companies and new car companies in the wave of the four modernizations of automobiles. Competition between car companies will gradually expand to the fields of software and systems. As Volkswagen Group CEO Diess said, the software developed by the Volkswagen Group will determine the future of the group.

This article comes from the author of Autohome Chejiahao and does not represent the views and positions of Autohome.