28/05/08

Volkswagen - Sanyo agreement on hybrid systems

The German carmaker aims at equipping its cars with electric systems

Fotogallery “Our focus in future will be directed more strongly at making electrically powered automobiles alongside ones driven by more efficient combustion engines,” said Martin Winterkorn, CEO of the VW Group. This is an important announcement as the Wolsburg company has just reached an agreement with Sanyo for the development of li-ion batteries and energy recovery systems.

“Drivetrain electrification is the way forward if we wish to secure mobility in tomorrow’s world. This will involve energy recovery. The whole idea will be to no avail, however, as long as we do not have powerful energy storage systems at our disposal and as long as vehicle operations are not in tune with customer demands.” Winterkorn added.
Therefore the collaboration with the Japanese electronics maker Sanyo marks a crucial starting point. Actually the target of the German group does not only concern the introduction of hybrid modules and latest generation batteries but also the development of storage systems as well as other electric systems capable of assisting or replacing the standard combustion engine.

This is the view followed in designing the Golf Tdi Hybrid exhibited at the Geneva Motor Show: diesel engine, 7-speed clutch transmission and “full hybrid” module which allows the car to run quite long distances assisted by the electric motor. It will be available on the market by 2010. A further example of the German group’s interest in drivetrain ‘electrification’ is represented by the Audi A1 project Quattro concept car, whose kilowatt range is 100 km.