VW paves China's mobility future with seven new-energy cars

Volkswagen brand plans to launch seven new electric and plug-in hybrid cars on the Chinese market by 2020 as the German carmaker pushes forward its new-energy car plan.

Each of these vehicles will be made in China and a new design and development center in China is in the planning stages.

"Here in China, the future of mobility is already emerging, be it electric mobility, digitalization or autonomous driving," said Herbert Diess, member of the board of Volkswagen Group and chairman of the board of Volkswagen Brand, at the Beijing auto show on Monday.

"The Volkswagen brand will contribute to China's future orientation, making it our leading market for innovation," he said.

The new models presented at the auto show demonstrate the assertiveness with which Volkswagen is reinventing mobility.

The highlight is the debut of the T-Prime Concept GTE - the concept of a cutting-edge premium class SUV.

With plug-in hybrid and all-wheel drive, as well as zero emissions on any terrain, the concept car makes an automotive statement and ofers a first glimpse into Volkswagen's future flagship.

The display and control concepts are completely digital, the conventional switches in the interior have been done away with and replaced by gesture and voice control, touch screens and touch-sensitive surfaces.

The T-Prime is the world's first car to feature a Curved Interaction Area, which is a curved infotainment display that blends in with the remaining displays and controls in the futuristic cockpit.

The concept car's eight-speed automatic transmission is controled intuitively "by wire" using a glass scroll wheel.

The T-Prime Concept GTE is an ideal alternative to conventional vehicle concepts, as the four-seat concept SUV combines the best of different automotive worlds: comfortable like a saloon, spacious like an estate, traction that is superior to all other types of cars, agile like a sports car and - thanks to innovative drive technologies - efficient like a compact car.

"Volkswagen will address people who want more than basic transportation: more innovation, more excitement, more reputation, more passion," Diess said.

One of the many fitting innovations is the plug-in hybrid drive that is practically silent in its electric E-Mode, allowing the T-Prime Concept GTE to become a zero-emissions SUV with a range of 50 km.

In GTE mode, it demonstrates pure dynamism. Visually, the innovative technical layout is reflected in a charismatic and sporty design. The T-Prime Concept GTE is part of an SUV product offensive. It will also be available with an extended wheelbase. This will be followed by a new mid-sized SUV for China and the United States and the Touareg or a vehicle based on the T-Prime Concept GTE.

Beneath the Tiguan, there will be two new SUV model series, with the Golf class becoming an SUV based on the T-ROC concept car.

The next generation Magotan will be launched in July. This saloon car is the first vehicle to be based on the modular transverse matrix, known as MBQ

Thanks to the MQB, the designers and engineers are now able to achieve a rear passenger compartment with more space and better body proportions.

New product line

Volkswagen has also restructured its vehicle development to ensure a more progressive and efficient overall process. Diess said the decision-making power will be delegated to accelerate this process. The restructuring of product line organization is a core element of the "New Volkswagen".

The detailed expertise in vehicle development will be bundled into the four new product lines - Small, Compact, Mid - and Full-size and e-Mobility - each with a dedicated executive.

The automaker said the move will place the responsibility for technology, quality, cost, timing and profitability directly in the hands of the product lines.

It will also clarify the structure relating to single points of contact and individual persons responsible.

Previously, these responsibilities were spread across various divisions and model groups. In contrast, the crystal clear matrix provided by the new product lines creates the right environment for maximum transparency and establishes a platform for advanced solutions dedicated to the development of new vehicles.

The members of a product line are assigned to each of the model lines (for example, up! and Polo are assigned to "Small"), where they collaborate at what are known as project centers.

Some 100 specialists from the relevant departments form a team at these project centers. In doing so, they control the entire life-cycle of a model.

"This allows us to ensure that the corporate responsibility for each vehicle project is clearly assigned," Diess said.

The newly created "Strategy and Products" division will act as a strong partner in supporting each manager responsible for the various series.

Since the beginning of 2016, this division's responsibilities include coordinating product life cycles and major product events, such as facelifts and new derivatives.

ligusheng@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 04/29/2016 page15)