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At first glance, it is clear to see that the I.D. R Pikes Peak has been developed for extreme conditions. The aerodynamic aspect of Volkswagen’s first fully-electric racing car is also uncompromisingly designed to tackle the most famous hill climb in the world. “The start line is located at an altitude of almost 2,900 metres, with the finish at 4,300 metres above sea level. The low air pressure up there means that the aerodynamic conditions are different to those at a racetrack on flat land,” explains François-Xavier Demaison, Technical Director at Volkswagen Motorsport and the man responsible for developing the I.D. R Pikes Peak as project manager. The relatively open regulations gave the engineers far more leeway, with which to design the chassis and rear wing of the I.D. R Pikes Peak, than in other racing disciplines.

During the winding 19.99-kilometre drive to the summit of Pikes Peak near Colorado Springs (USA), a top speed of around 240 km/h is reached – this is relatively low for a prototype like the I.D. R Pikes Peak, as it could theoretically do far more than this. “For this reason, we concentrated mainly on achieving optimal cornering speeds. The entire chassis is designed to generate as much downforce as possible, without causing too much aerodynamic drag,” says Demaison, summing up the task facing his team.

The most visually striking result of this strategy is the seemingly oversized rear wing on the I.D. R Pikes Peak. “The altitude on Pikes Peak means that the air we are driving through is on average 35 per cent thinner. As a result, we lose 35 per cent of our downforce compared to a racetrack at sea level. The huge rear wing allows us to compensate for some of this lost downforce,” explains Willy Rampf, technical consultant to the project and a man with years of Formula 1 experience. “The imaginative aerodynamic development means that we will still achieve maximum downforce greater than the weight of the car during the hill climb.”

Precision work in the Porsche wind tunnel

Volkswagen Motorsport used a scale mode (1:2) to test a host of different variants of the Pikes Peak racer in the wind tunnel. The final touches were then put to a full-size chassis in the Porsche development centre in Weissach. “It was greatly beneficial to be able to use resources from within the group,” confirms Demaison.

New components were often produced in quick time on a 3D printer. “We printed about 2,000 parts. In doing so, we saved a lot of time,” says Dr. Hervé Dechipre, who, as a CFD engineer at Volkswagen Motorsport, is responsible for the aerodynamics on the I.D. R Pikes Peak.

Little need to cool electric engines benefits aerodynamics

The electric engine on the I.D. R Pikes Peak does need to be cooled efficiently. However, the need for fresh air is far less than in the case of a combustion engine. Furthermore, it is not necessary to guide any intake air to the two electric engines, which together generate 500 kW (680 PS). This made it possible to reduce the size of the necessary inlet ports in the chassis, which are always a big drawback from an aerodynamic point of view. In contrast, the thin air at altitude has a negative effect on the efficiency of the cooling.

Simulation software provided by technology partner ANSYS is used to calculate the ideal compromise. “We could not manage this solely with the data from the wind tunnel, where it is not possible to recreate the thin air, for example,” says Demaison. “The simulation was a great help in determining the dimensions required for the cooling system.”

In the meantime, the findings from the development phase have been optimised in great detail in comprehensive tests. The first test run on the original route in the USA is planned for the end of May. Driver Romain Dumas and the Volkswagen Motorsport team then begin the final phase of their preparations for the “Pikes Peak International Hill Climb 2018” on 24 June. The goal is to break the record in the class for electric prototypes, which currently stands at 8:57.118 minutes.

Article source: www.volkswagen.co.uk

Digitalization in production, self-learning systems (bots) and “IT for all” initiative were among the topics of this year’s IT symposium held by Group IT
Finance and IT Board Member Witter: “Digital know-how is a major factor in the competitiveness of Volkswagen. Group IT plays a key role here.”

At this year’s IT symposium held in Wolfsburg today, the main focus was on digital technologies and innovative projects from all areas of Volkswagen Group IT. The event was attended by members of the Volkswagen Group and brand Boards of Management, top management representatives and the Works Council. The main emphasis of the symposium was on IT innovations to make work and processes within the company even simpler and more efficient. Specifically, the symposium dealt with further digitalization in production, self-learning programs (bots) to support employees with administrative tasks and the “IT for all” initiative.

Frank Witter, Member of the Group Board of Management responsible for Finance and IT, emphasized: “Digital know-how is a major factor in the competitiveness of Volkswagen. Group IT plays a key role here; it must safeguard all processes within Volkswagen as a global mobility group and make them fit for the future, at the same time as developing future-oriented digital topics for the company. This is why we continue to expand our IT competence, as we want to offer our customers the best possible product and service experience and to provide even better support for our team in factories and offices, with a view to further improving the efficiency of the company.”

Digitalization in production
Together, experts from Volkswagen brand production and Group IT are working on a digital platform to link all the systems and facilities at a plant in one integrated overall system. The experts expect this approach to yield significant efficiency benefits. In addition, it will be considerably easier to integrate digital best practice solutions and pilot projects in the existing architecture.

Martin Hofmann, CIO of the Volkswagen Group, emphasized: “Our most important objective continues to be to create digital solutions that make processes and project work in all areas of business even simpler, more reliable and more efficient. This is why we are forcing the pace for the modernization of our IT systems and developing even more mobile applications. At the same time, we are making advances with future-oriented topics. These include the use of artificial intelligence to provide effective support to our colleagues in the performance of certain tasks.

Artificial intelligence and corporate processes
At the symposium, representatives of Group IT presented trial projects for self-learning systems – “bots”. These systems learn through smart data analysis and can independently prepare repetitive administrative tasks (such as approvals or the award of contracts) for employees and submit them for decisions.

Bernd Osterloh, Chairman of the Group Works Council, said: “The impressive achievements of our IT colleagues demonstrate that we at Volkswagen can and should place more emphasis on in-house developments than on outsourced solutions. For this purpose, we need more IT personnel and more possibilities for the further training of employees. We can only achieve success with colleagues who have the best possible training and are highly motivated. They are the heart of IT.”

“IT for all” initiative
The “IT for all” initiative launched by the Works Council and IT is to give all employees of the Volkswagen brand access to digital media and working tools. The objective is to further improve the preparation, updating and management of time schedules and tasks, communication and cooperation within the team, further training and induction and the rapid distribution of internal messages for employees in factories and offices. A key topic is the increasing use of company or private smart phones to perform tasks.

Article source: www.volkswagen-media-services.com

Strong performance: the Golf GTI TCR1delivers 213 kW / 290 PS and offers perfect traction thanks to the front axle locking differential
New addition to the series: the Golf GTI TCR is the road version of the 275 kW / 350 PS TCR race series Golf GTI
The fastest Golf GTI: the Vmax limiter in the GTI TCR to be launched at the end of 2018 can be removed as desired to increase the maximum speed from 250 to 264 km/h

Wednesday 9 May will see the largest GTI meeting in the world get underway. The location: Reifnitz am Wörthersee. Last year, 7,300 cars and around 125,000 visitors turned the Austrian town into the Mecca of the GTI world. Figures of this magnitude are expected again this year. Volkswagen will also present a special highlight to the participants and visitors: the new Golf GTI TCR, which is nearly ready for production. As a tribute to fans, the 290 PS GTI will be unveiled in a world première at Wörthersee. The future top model in the Golf GTI series, which has sold more than 2.2 million units worldwide, will be launched at the end of the year.

The special edition is the road version of the two-time overall winner of the international TCR race series: the Golf GTI TCR of the same name. The touring racing car’s specs make the new top model a dominating presence: design, power and performance are intrinsic to the pure sports car doctrine. The turbo engine of the new Golf GTI TCR delivers the 290 PS (213 kW) mentioned above at between 5,000 and 6,800 rpm. The TSI balances its maximum torque of 370 Nm towards the front axle in a speed range of 1,600 rpm; this value remains consistently high up to 4,300 rpm. A 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox (DSG) and a front axle differential lock (both standard) are responsible for power transmission and excellent traction.

The maximum speed is 250 km/h, but can be increased to 264 km/h as stated above by opting to remove the electronic Vmax limiter. This makes the new GTI TCR the fastest Golf GTI of the current model range. Thanks to its drive performance, the production car achieves similar ranges as the 275 kW / 350 PS Golf GTI TCR racing car.

With more than 2.2 million units sold, the Golf GTI2-5 has become one of the world's most successful compact sports cars. It all started life in 1976 as a 110 PS front-wheel drive car, which made high driving dynamics affordable. Originally, only 5,000 cars of the original GTI were to be built – 4,400 times as many have now been produced.

Article source: www.volkswagen-media-services.com

Speed of 264 km/h: from now on, the Golf GTI TCR, which is derived from motor racing, will be the fastest GTI of the model range
290 PS strong: the future series version is expected to start at the end of 2018 with 7-speed-DSG, locking differential and individual design

A new chapter of Golf GTI history has begun: With the world première of the 213 kW / 290 PS1 strong Golf GTI TCR Concept, Jürgen Stackmann, Volkswagen Board Member for Sales, has unveiled the road version of the racing car of the international TCR series of the same name. The première took place today at the legendary GTI meeting at Reifnitz am Wörthersee, Austria. Jürgen Stackmann: "At the moment, the Golf GTI TCR Concept – an athlete derived from racing sport – is a study. But at the end of the year, we want to make this GTI vision come true."

The design, power and performance of the Golf GTI TCR Concept follow pure sports car doctrine. The power of the 370 Nm strong turbocharged engine is already transmitted to the front wheels from 1,600 rpm as standard via a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox (DSG) and a locking differential. The top speed of the standard version will be 250 km/h, but this can be increased to 264 km/h by opting to remove the electronic Vmax limiter, making this Golf the fastest GTI of the current model range.

Numerous individual features contribute to the particularly sporty character of the new Volkswagen. The future standard version will leave the Wolfsburg plant with 18-inch “Belvedere” forged wheels; 19-inch alloy wheels will also be available as an option. Behind the large wheels there is a high performance braking system with perforated discs that decelerate the production car just as effortlessly as the TCR racing car. The top Golf GTI model features two extra radiators to ensure sufficient cooling for high engine performance.

If desired, particularly enthusiastic drivers can order a package that pushes the performance even further towards the racetrack: besides removal of the Vmax limit and the new 19-inch wheels, it includes an even more dynamic sports chassis and the adaptive chassis control (DCC). It adapts to the characteristics of the electrically adjustable shock absorbers at the touch of a button.

The Golf GTI TCR Concept shows that the future standard version will also prove its outstanding position in terms of looks: at the front, a newly designed bumper with sharply contoured splitter (front spoiler) identifies the Golf GTI as a TCR version. Also new: the newly designed panel attachment on the side, which is continued to the rear. Here, they join a diffuser and the exhaust system tailpipes. In the silhouette, the "TCR" lettering above the sills also attracts attention and is optionally customised with an additional decoration in the typical GTI honeycomb design. The Golf has a particularly inviting effect when opening the front doors: the TCR logo is then projected on to the asphalt. The stainless steel sill panel trim is personalised by means of a red illuminated element.

On the inside, the premium sport seats are finished with newly designed microfibre/fabric covers. The door inserts and gear stick cover have also been finished in microfibre. The seat centre sections are in the contrasting colour “Flash Red”, which is the bridge to the red contrasting stitching on the sports steering wheel. That is - just like racing - provided with a red 12 o’clock stripe.

Article source: www.volkswagen-media-services.com

Deliveries, sales revenue and result once again improved in first quarter of 2018
Brand grows throughout the world; growth in Germany, too
Pace of model and innovation offensive stepped up
Forecast for 2018 as a whole confirmed
Group and brand CEO Diess: “We are making good progress, in line with our plans, on our way to making Volkswagen fit for the future of mobility.”

The Volkswagen brand continues to grow. In the first quarter of 2018, there were once again increases in deliveries, sales revenue and the result. With more than 1.5 million vehicles delivered (+5.9 percent), the brand recorded the best first quarter in its history. Sales revenue grew by 5.9 percent to €20.1 billion. Compared with the strong first quarter of the previous year, the operating result improved by 1.2 percent to €879 million. Despite considerable expenditure for the ongoing model offensive, Volkswagen recorded a return on sales of 4.4 percent (previous year: 4.6 percent).

“In the first quarter, we were able to continue the dynamic development of the previous year without any interruption,” said Dr. Herbert Diess, CEO of the Volkswagen brand, who is now also CEO of the Volkswagen Group. “Our new models are being outstandingly well-received by customers, our efficiency measures are taking effect and we are on the way to gaining new strength in the regions. Our long-term goal is clear: we want to make Volkswagen fit for the future of mobility. We are making good progress in these efforts in line with our plans.”

Model offensive and cost discipline are the earnings drivers

The upward trend is broad-based. In the first three months of the year, Volkswagen was able to deliver significantly more vehicles than in the previous year in all regions of the world. In Brazil, deliveries rose by 4 percent, in China by 8.6 percent and in the USA by as much as 10 percent. Deliveries also grew in Germany. In its domestic market, Volkswagen boosted deliveries by 7.3 percent and regained market shares in key segments. Especially the newly introduced SUV’s are making for extremely dynamic developments throughout the world. With the T-Roc, the Tiguan Allspace, the Teramont and the Atlas, the brand now offers four new SUVs that were not available a year ago.

The growing volume of deliveries also had a positive effect on the sales revenue and operating result of the brand. In addition, Volkswagen was able to further improve product costs. Despite the ongoing model offensive, fixed costs remained largely stable in the first quarter of 2018 compared with the previous year. On the other hand, the improvement in the result was offset by growing expenditure for the upcoming electric offensive. The brand forged ahead with the implementation of this offensive in the first three months of the year.

Dr. Arno Antlitz, Member of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen brand responsible for Finance, said: “The Volkswagen brand started the new year with a healthy result. We are keeping costs under control and making good progress with improving productivity. We will pursue this approach consistently over the next few months. At the same time, we will continue to invest strongly in the future of the brand, especially in the major model and innovation offensive.”

Sustained positive business developments expected

Over the next few months, the brand expects positive business developments to continue. In the 2018 financial year, deliveries, sales revenue and the operating result will continue to rise, among other things as a result of the further implementation of the pact for the future and the turnaround programs in the regions. Volkswagen confirmed its return forecast unchanged. Despite significantly higher expenditure in areas including the changeover to the new WTLP consumption standard, the achievement of the CO2 fleet targets and the run-up stage of the electric offensive, an operating return in the target corridor between 4.0 and 5.0 percent is aimed for in the current financial year.

The brand continues to step up the pace of its major model and innovation offensive. With the new Tourag and the Jetta for the USA, Volkswagen has already presented two new models which are to be launched in the near future. In addition, the new mid-size sedan Virtus was launched recently in Brazil and has attracted considerable attention from customers. At the end of the year, Volkswagen will enter an entirely new segment with the T-Cross. In addition, four new SUVs especially for the Chinese market are planned this year.

In the course of its TRANSFORM 2025+ strategy, the brand will renew its entire model range by 2020 as well as expanding it in key segments. From 2020, the newly developed I.D. family will start the brand’s major electric offensive.

Article source: www.volkswagen-media-services.com

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