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Press Releases
California Dreamin’ – with the Volkswagen I.D. R Pikes Peak
Two months after the historic, record-breaking triumph at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, the I.D. R Pikes Peak is set to make a first return visit to the United States: the first fully electrically-driven race car from Volkswagen will be appearing at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance on 26 August. The globally renowned event is one of a kind, a unique exhibition – for exceptional historic automobiles and for innovative concept cars. It represents the highlight of the Pebble Beach Automotive Week, which is taking place this year from 21 to 26 August.
Volkswagen on tour this summer at the 2018 Sachsen Classic
Once again this year, more than 20 classic cars from the Volkswagen Group and Autostadt collections will be making an appearance at the Sachsen Classic. Volkswagen’s Zwickau and Chemnitz production plants will be the start and finish of the long-running regularity rally taking place from 23 to 25 August.
Success factors for the I.D. R Pikes Peak: reduced weight thanks to on-board power generation
For a fully-electric racing car like the Volkswagen I.D. R Pikes Peak, the weight of the battery is especially important: it is the heaviest individual component – and each increase in weight has a detrimental effect on the car’s performance. It was logical for the Volkswagen Motorsport engineers to keep the batteries as small and light as possible in the record-breaking car. In addition to the sophisticated, weight-saving lithium-ion design, they are relying on technology that is already implemented in numerous electrically-driven production models: recuperation.
Volkswagen Group deliveries grow 10.6 percent in July
The Volkswagen Group and its brands continued on their growth path at the start of the second half-year. Deliveries in July rose 10.6 percent to 908,200 new vehicles. Over 6.4 million vehicles have been handed over to customers since the beginning of the year – 7.5 percent higher than the comparable period in 2017. “July was a strong month for the Group with all brands reporting clear gains. This is to some extent due to a one-off effect – namely the brands’ special sales programs for NEDC vehicles”, Fred Kappler, Head of Group Sales at Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft, said. “Looking ahead, the challenges remain. We are working flat out to keep the anticipated effects of the new WLTP testing procedure in the coming months as low as possible”, Kappler added.
Volkswagen plans to produce some 1 million vehicles in Wolfsburg
Looking to the future, production volumes at the main plant in Wolfsburg are to rise to around one million. Higher productivity will enable higher capacity utilization. The groundwork is being laid in Wolfsburg in order to bundle Golf production at one location as set out in the Pact for the Future. Coinciding with the launch of the Golf 8, Golf production in Zwickau and Puebla is to be relocated to the main plant. The new SEAT Tarraco will also begin rolling off the assembly line in Wolfsburg soon. Dr. Andreas Tostmann, Member of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen Brand responsible for Production and Logistics, commented: “We are planning to increase productivity by 25 percent at all German factories by 2020 as agreed. Further efforts are needed at Volkswagen in future to remain competitive, particularly post-2020.”
Volkswagen to continue support for Formula Student Germany in next racing season
Volkswagen is continuing its involvement in Formula Student Germany (FSG) in the next racing season and will once again sponsor selected university teams entering the international design competition. In future, the company will focus more strongly on the “Driverless” category than has previously been the case in order to bring the innovation areas of electric drive systems and autonomous driving even closer together. At the Hockenheimring, the company also recruits new career entrants. Trainees and interns who were active in Formula Student have repeatedly joined Volkswagen.
Success factors for the I.D. R Pikes Peak: 4.000 kilometres of test drives
It was all over after exactly 7:57.148 minutes. With Romain Dumas at the wheel, the I.D. R Pikes Peak crossed the finish line in the world’s most famous hill climb. A record-breaking sprint that lasted 19.99 kilometres, preceded by numerous tests over a distance of 4,000 kilometres – spread over six months.
Success factors for the I.D. R Pikes Peak: teamwork between racers and technicians from production development
Motorsport is a team sport. At the same time, the individual team members sometimes do their thing on different playing fields – under certain circumstances, they can usually be found playing a completely different sport. A prime example of this is the I.D. R Pikes Peak, with which Volkswagen driver Romain Dumas set a new record of 7:57.148 minutes at the most famous hill climb in the world on 24 June 2018. As well as Volkswagen Motorsport, a whole host of departments from within the Volkswagen Group were involved in making the project a success. “The help we received from production development was crucial to the success,” says Volkswagen Motorsport Director Sven Smeets.
The new T-Cross – “I am practical”: Small SUV stands out with high level of variability
It is Volkswagen’s smallest SUV and yet it has what it takes to become a great one: the new T-Cross. It is still under wraps, but the development to series production is running at full speed. The world première will take place this autumn and the launch will follow in spring 2019. Until then, Volkswagen will give more and more details about the new small but great SUV. Just like now with the clip in which professional players from the “Grizzlys Wolfsburg” ice hockey team throw all their equipment into the T-Cross which easily fits the equipment plus players.
Stories
Light years
Volkswagen’s journey from the functional headlight to customised light scenarios
Young engineers at Formula Student
Designing and building a race car within just one year: That’s what Formula Student Germany is about. Around 3,500 university students from all over the world took part in this year’s competition. Why Volkswagen supports this event.
Fifteen years of loyalty
The Touran Club visits Wolfsburg
Background
“I am more” – the new T-Cross
Covered Drive
The T-Cross – a new class of Volkswagen
Leading the way – The new Touareg
A fusion of technologies: Assistance, comfort and driving dynamics systems allow for a new level of safety and performance
Digitalised cockpit: Displays of the instruments and infotainment system merge into a new “Innovision Cockpit”
Night becomes day: “Nightvision” and new “IQ.Light – LED matrix headlight” ensure increased safety in the dark
Lighter and bigger: The aluminium-steel body of the new Touareg weighs 106 kg less and the luggage compartment has an additional 113 litres
Albums
2018 Sachsen Classic
Story: Light years
Story: Young engineers at Formula Student
Volkswagen Newsroom - Relaunch
T-Cross
T-Roc
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