http://img.timeinc.net/popsci/images/2005/10/auto1105vw_485.jpg Courtesy Volkswagen


The Turbo- and Supercharged Car
Volkswagen's new Twincharger engine offers a fuel-efficient alternative to hybrids

By Matthew Phenix | October 2005

How's this for a hybrid? Volkswagen's first-of-its-kind Twincharger engine, arriving this fall in the Europe-only Golf GT, marries a diminutive 1.4-liter, four-cylinder engine to both a supercharger and a turbocharger. The pint-size power plant gobbles oxygen, not gas, cranking out commendable performance and outstanding fuel economy.


Both 'chargers work on the same principle: Force air into the engine to generate more power. At low rpms, the super-charger—driven by a belt connected to the engine's crankshaft—blasts fresh air into the cylinders to enhance low-end torque. At high revs, the exhaust gas brings the turbocharger up to speed to bolster top-end performance.

VW won't say if it plans to bring the Twincharger to North America, but if $3 for a gallon of gas becomes routine, the company just might find a market for a sporty 48mpg hatchback.

VW Golf GT
Engine ... 1.4 liter, 4 cyl.
Power ... 168 hp
Torque ... 177 lb. -ft
0-62 MPH ... 7.9 sec.
Top Speed ... 136 mph
MPG ... 30 (city); 48 (highway)


What do you think? I like it. Small engine with decent power and doesnt use a lot of gas. I hope it comes to the states. Or at least they put the engine in something we have.

its a good idea. i like it.

I Like It Alot!

That's not all, there will be also a 2.0 Diesel version with the same power:

http://www.germancarfans.com/news.cfm/newsid/2050829.004/volkswagen/1.html

I hope they sel it in Australia.
If they do it might be my first car.

It looks so sporty.
Having money...but unfortunately I'm only 18 years old!!

yeah its ok. would be a very gd we car to own, i like the sound of a diesel one

what's next

a Golf GTC

engine: pretty cool
everything around it, suxxs hard.

so take that engine and put it into some car that has a good looking exterior and not into such a crappy car as the golf is...

engine: pretty cool
everything around it, suxxs hard.

so take that engine and put it into some car that has a good looking exterior and not into such a crappy car as the golf is...

i have to disagree. as much as i liked the MK4 body style more than the new one, the new one still looks OK. I think it has an aggressive look to it. If they brought back the MK4 body style i would be a happy man. But i still think the MK5 golf body looks good.

Now the Jetta, that's a different story...

i have to disagree. as much as i liked the MK4 body style more than the new one, the new one still looks OK. I think it has an aggressive look to it. If they brought back the MK4 body style i would be a happy man. But i still think the MK5 golf body looks good.

Now the Jetta, that's a different story...

Personally, I think the golf went downhill from the Mk1. That was one great looking little car. The Mk5 is getting closer, but I'm still not too keen on the styling.

This whole engine idea is great. I mean, who else is coming up with these novel and rather simple solutions? Everyone is trying to make a multi billion dollar, 7000hp super car with twin jet engines and a "skin of a thousand chinese children" interior. Volkswagen is in the real world, making real world solutions. This kind of idea makes you want to smack yourself in the head. Why didn't I think of that? It's worked before. The Lancia S4 groupe B rally car had the same sort of system, and it worked well.

God damn. Good job volkswagen.

heum

Volkswagen is the one who tries to build a multi billion dollar, 7000hp super car

Personally, I think the golf went downhill from the Mk1. That was one great looking little car. The Mk5 is getting closer, but I'm still not too keen on the styling.

This whole engine idea is great. I mean, who else is coming up with these novel and rather simple solutions? Everyone is trying to make a multi billion dollar, 7000hp super car with twin jet engines and a "skin of a thousand chinese children" interior. Volkswagen is in the real world, making real world solutions. This kind of idea makes you want to smack yourself in the head. Why didn't I think of that? It's worked before. The Lancia S4 groupe B rally car had the same sort of system, and it worked well.

God damn. Good job volkswagen.
i wish i had the ability to share what i was thinking like you do mopar. all that ever comes out of my mouth this "i like it" "good idea".

Courtesy Volkswagen
The pint-size power plant gobbles oxygen, not gas, cranking out commendable performance and outstanding fuel economy.



sorry thats wrong about it running on oxygen! wtf?
its a great idea but i am not too fond of the new golf.
why didnt they put this engine in the Polo GTi, it would be perfect, instead that got some crappy 150bhp 1.8 which is dull as hell

sorry thats wrong about it running on oxygen! wtf?
its a great idea but i am not too fond of the new golf.
why didnt they put this engine in the Polo GTi, it would be perfect, instead that got some crappy 150bhp 1.8 which is dull as hell

I didnt write it, i just carried along the information.

yaya i didnt mean to shoot the messenger, maybe they are talking about the turbo or the supercharge being fuelled by oxygen

i would like to know what kind of boost the car is making, since they put emphasis on how much "oxygen" it gobbles. and it must be higher than what the 1.8t outs out which is like 6-8 psi constant, with a 12psi spike.

Also, i wonder what kind of upgrade kits will hit the market for this car. Now you can get a supercharger and turbo upgrade.

The boost is quite a lot, it reaches up to 1.5 bar overboost, this comes officially from the designer of the engine. (1.5 bar = ~22 psi)

It's awesome, I sort of regret having the simple 1.6 now that this one will come out...

Golf GT sounds exaggerated
"Golf GT" simmilar to Ford GT... lol

I also think that it is really amazing because the young students found the ideal car for them.The only disadvantage I noticed is the low max speed but ... it doesn't matter....

I like it,very smart idea,and the styiling of the golf is not that bad,but of course I liked the Mk4 better.

I like it,very smart idea,and the styiling of the golf is not that bad,but of course I liked the Mk4 better.

same here, MK4 was better looking.

I dont like how it looks