The Volkswagen TDI line of turbodiesel engines has been a cornerstone of Wolfburg’s new car lineup for over three decades, and with each evolution it only gets better. Volkswagen has revealed a new 268 horsepower version of its 2.0 liter TDI engine, using an electric turbocharger to make it the most powerful TDI yet.
Electric turbochargers are going to play a huge role in Volkswagen’s lineup, with the Audi Q7 to debut the technology in a production model in the next couple of years. Despite having two fewer cylinders and a whole liter less of displacement, the new 2.0 liter TDI actually makes 10 more horsepower than the just-updated 3.0 liter V6 TDI, and about 30 horsepower more than the outgoing 2.0 liter TDI motor. It is however overshadowed by a more potent version of the 3.0 liter V6 found in the RS5 concept, churning out a healthy 326 horsepower.
Despite this though, the new motor is actually 14% more efficient, which could mean an extra 4 or 5 MPG on the road. Volkswagen isn’t talking torque numbers just yet, but it should be in the same area as the outgoing model, which offered 369 lb-ft of twist.
So where can we expect to find this uber-powerful TDI motor? The engine is going to be reserved for upper-end models, including the upcoming production version of the Volkswagen CrossBlue SUV concept. VW also released a few details on its upcoming 10-speed dual-shift gearbox (DSG), including a torque limit of 405 lb-ft and a coasting function that shuts down the engine similar to a start-stop system, but while the car is in motion at speeds under 4 MPH.
Volkswagen is also investing heavily into plug-in vehicles, which leaves the door open for a hybridized version of this drivetrain, perhaps pairing it with a couple of electric motors for even better performance. A guy can dream, right?
Source: Gas2
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