VW expands plug-in hybrid catalog in China market

Volkswagen is revving up its new energy vehicle campaign in China, in a bid to become the top choice for customers in the era of e-mobility, as it is in the age of conventionally powered vehicles.

"As part of our Move Forward brand initiative, new energy vehicles will be the next big step for the brand in China," said Stephan Woellenstein, CEO of Volkswagen Brand China.

"Globally, the development of new energy vehicles revolves around China, since this is where the majority of such cars are sold. And now Volkswagen is joining the game - big time," he said.

Volkswagen presents six plug-in hybrids in Beijing as its first phase to boost its new energy vehicle initiative in China. Photos Provided to China Daily

Woellenstein made the remarks on Tuesday in Beijing, where he unveiled three plug-in hybrids that are to hit the Chinese market next year: the Touareg PHEV from Volkswagen Import as well as the Magotan GTE Concept and the Tayron GTE Concept, both of which will be localized at FAW-Volkswagen.

"With the addition of the three new models we present today, we will have doubled our PHEV model offerings in roughly 12 months from now," he said.

Volkswagen said the Touareg PHEV is the flagship model of its plug-in hybrid family.

Equipped with a 2.0 TSI engine and a 100 kW electric motor, it delivers a combined rated power of 270 kW or 367 hp, with an impressive combined peak torque of 700 Nm.

Together, they enable the car to accelerate from 0-100km/h in just 6.3 seconds.

The 18 kWh battery offers an all-electric range of up to 58 km, and can be fully charged within 2.5 hours using a 7.2 kW wallbox.

The Magotan GTE Concept and the Tayron GTE Concept from FAW-Volkswagen have adopted the GTE label for its plug-in hybrid vehicles, with the GT representing grand touring, and the E standing for electrification, said the carmaker.

The models will also benefit from Volkswagen's plug-in hybrid drivetrain, with a TSI turbocharged engine and a powerful electric motor. Both models will be available on the Chinese market twelve months from now.

There are already three Volkswagen plug-in hybrids on sale in China: The Volkswagen Variant GTE from Volkswagen Import, and the Tiguan L PHEV and the Passat PHEV from another joint venture, SAIC Volkswagen.

The Passat PHEV, which was launched in October, boasts an overall combined range of up to 1,043 km.

In pure electric mode, it has a maximum range of up to 63 km and a top speed of 130 km/h.

The Tiguan L PHEV was the first locally produced plug-in hybrid from SAIC Volkswagen. Featuring a 1.4T TSI engine, a high-efficiency electric motor, and a 12.1 kWh lithium-ion battery, the model has a combined range of up to 862 km, which includes a pure electric range of 52 km.

The Volkswagen Variant GTE, which hit the market in November, has a top output of 160 kW and a peak torque of 400 Nm.

With an all-electric range of up to 50 km, the electric motor helps cut the comprehensive fuel consumption to just 1.8 L/100 km and delivers an overall range of up to almost 1,000 km.

Woellenstein said its plug-in hybrid family, built on the MQB and the MLB EVO platforms, offers reliable, durable, and safe transportation, and a long range similar to combustion cars, plus an electric range suitable for emission-free urban mobility.

Plug-in hybrids represent the first phase in Volkswagen's 3-step e-mobility strategy for China, where a wide choice of new energy vehicles will be rolled out over the next three years, he said.

The second phase will start next year, with the local production of battery electric versions of popular models.

By 2020 Volkswagen will offer some 10 new energy vehicles in the China market, with 300,000 units locally produced in the same year.

The third phase will be from 2020 onwards, with the roll-out of electric models built on Volkswagen's newly designed all-electric architecture, the MEB platform.

"By 2025, we plan to reach the milestone of 1 million in annual sales of Volkswagen-branded new energy vehicles in China," said Woellenstein.

To realize the ambitious goal, the carmaker is stepping up investment in both technology and manufacturing facilities in the country.

"With our MQB platform we have the most advanced, most flexible platform that is currently available in the global automotive industry," said Woellenstein. He said seven of Volkswagen's factories in China will soon be producing new energy vehicles based on the MQB platform.

When the carmaker starts rolling out the third phase of its e-mobility strategy around 2020, it will open two additional factories which will be dedicated to the electric-only MEB platform.

"Our ambition is clear: to be the No 1 new energy vehicle brand in China - as well as around the world," said Woellenstein.

lifusheng@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 12/17/2018 page19)