VW Showcases Clean Technologies

PASADENA, CA (Feb. 15, 2007) - Car buyers, when surveyed, show increased interest in environmentally friendly vehicle technologies. However, convincing these same consumers to actually make the purchase takes more than just talk. Sometimes, it takes

Jan. 1, 2020

3 min read

ALTERNATIVE FUEL VEHICLES VW Showcases Clean Technologies PASADENA, CA (Feb. 15, 2007) - Car buyers, when surveyed, show increased interest in environmentally friendly vehicle technologies. However, convincing these same consumers to actually make the purchase takes more than just talk. Sometimes, it takes a hands-on experience.

Volkswagen of America Inc. (VW) recently gave attendees of the Designing Sustainable Mobility Summit in Pasadena a chance to touch, feel and drive vehicles that showcase a number of these environmentally friendly features. The event also included presentations by designers and other transportation experts on ways to make future mobility even more environmentally compatible.

VW provided models running on biodiesel, ultralow sulfur diesel (ULSD), hydrogen and highly efficient gasoline engines - some of the very technologies and fuels being discussed at the summit. Attendees were given the chance to drive on public roads, providing a reality check that environmentally conscious vehicles are much more than just theory.

From top: Touareg V-10 TDI; Jetta TSI; Touran HyMotion hydrogen fuel cell vehicle
(Photos: VW)

Attendees had the chance to drive:

* The Touareg V10 TDI, which runs on B5 biodiesel, a mixture of conventional ULSD fuel and renewable biodiesel. VW has extended warranty protection to its models operating on B5 biodiesel as a way to encourage use of this cleaner fuel.

* A highly efficient Jetta with a twin-charger gasoline still in development. This TSI engine provides higher power output from a smaller displacement engine, while also achieving greater fuel efficiency and lower emissions, says VW. The TSI is popular in Europe and now is being considered for use in the United States. It uses a supercharger to provide engine boost at lower rpm and an exhaust-driven turbocharger at mid-range and higher rpm.

* The Touran HyMotion hydrogen fuel cell vehicle features a high-temperature fuel cell. For a decade, VW has been working in hydrogen vehicle development. This high-temperature fuel cell provides a lighter, more compact and more durable fuel cell system. This technology holds great promise to make fuel cell powertrains more economical - a key to future mass production.

"It's important to demonstrate that raising the bar in such important areas as fuel efficiency and emissions reduction isn't just accomplished with exotic or future-oriented technologies," says Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of the Green Car Journal. Cogan hosted the ride-and-drive.

(Source: Volkswagen of America Inc.)