VW unveils new 6.0-litre W12 engine and plans 270bhp 1.0-litre unit ~ station of gear

Volkswagen announces new W12 engine for Bentley, and 270bhp three-cylinder engine with electric turbos

2015-05-12 09:55

VW isn't letting recent leadership changes and profit warnings get in the way of technical development, as it announced two important new engines at the annual Vienna Motor Symposium. There's an updated version of the 6.0-litre W12 petrol unit, and plans for a one-litre turbo petrol engine with an amazing 270bhp.

The turbocharged 'W12 TSI' engine will likely make its debut in next year's Bentley Bentayga SUV, before moving into the Continental GT and Flying Spur, the Audi A8 and Volkswagen's next premium offering, the new Phaeton due in mid-2017.

Unveiled by VW's head of powertrain development, Friedrich Eichler, the "technically dense" W12 uses friction reduction, cylinder deactivation and new fuel injection tech to make it, he claims, the most fuel efficient twelve-cylinder engine in the luxury sector. Figures of 600bhp and 900Nm of torque are promised, with emissions below 250g/km.

At the other end of the scale in terms of size is a powerful turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine that's under development. The 1.0-litre unit promises 270bhp and 270Nm of torque. The secret to this is the VW Group's latest electric 'e-booster' compressors.

The technology is similar to that showcased on the wild 592bhp Audi TT Clubsport concept, and uses a 48V electrical system as an 'e-booster' alongside a conventional turbocharger, providing torque-fill and boosting the operational capacity of the turbo. It's tech that will filter down into VW Group cars in the next few years.

As for this 1.0-litre triple? We think it will make the perfect engine for a production version of the VW XL Sport concept that whetted our appetite at last year's Paris Motor Show.

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Lawrence Allan

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