Volkswagen / New Jetta TSI Debuts
Volkswagen India launched the new Jetta with a 1.4 l TSI engine that produces 120.3 hp at 5,000 rpm and a torque of 200 Nm between 1,500 and 4,000 rpm. The Trendline version is priced at ₨13.6 lakh, ex-showroom, Delhi, while the Comfortline version is retailed at ₨15.07 lakh. The Jetta was earlier available only with a diesel engine.
TSI engines are a good example of downsized engines without any compromise on power. In addition, TSI engines provide ample amount of torque at low engine speeds, leading to easier driving and enhanced fuel-efficiency. This unit features direct injection and turbocharging, and enhances the power output and efficiency. It is mated to a six-speed manual transmission, the only option for the petrol Jetta. In terms of design and features, the petrol Jetta is largely similar to its diesel sibling.
The TSI engine range is pretty wide, and powers econmical hatchbacks to sports sedans. In some cases, twin-turbocharging or turbo plus supercharging can be used. In all configurations the primary motive is to extract the maximum possible power while delivering good fuel and CO2 efficiency.
Chevrolet India / New Cruze With Upgraded Powertrain Launched
Chevrolet India launched the new Cruze sedan, featuring a new 2 l diesel engine and six-speed manual transmission. The powertrain upgrade has made the Cruze the most powerful car in its segment in the country with peak power rated at 163.7 hp at 3,800 rpm, a maximum torque measured at 380 Nm at 2,000 rpm. The company claims a 0–100 acceleration time of less than nine seconds.
The new FAM Z diesel engine features a new common rail fuel injection and an electronicallycontrolled variable geometry turbocharger (VGT). A highlight of this engine is the new direct injection system with solenoid injectors. It can inject small quantities of fuel in short intervals at pressures up to 1,800 bar. The cylinder head’s design has been optimised further and the valvetrain now provides a maximum incylinder pressure of up to 180 bar.
In order to reduce the emissions, engineers introduced a new exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cooler with a lower compression ratio of 16.3:1. The lower compression ratio regulates NOx emissions better, without affecting the power. A new cylinder head port design with Cobra-shaped intake ports provides better air flow and variable swirl control. This further improves the power output and efficiency.
New Order / Suzuki Powertrain Merges With Maruti Suzuki India
Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL) recently merged the engine and transmission venture it owns with parent, Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC). The merger is a result of the company wanting to consolidate its diesel engine capacity under a single management control. Suzuki Powertrain India Ltd (SPIL), the joint venture company — with SMC and MSIL owning 70 % and 30 % stake respectively — makes 300,000 diesel engines a year using Fiat’s technology at its Manesar plant in Haryana.
Amg Turns 45 / New Product Plans Revealed
Mercedes-AMG celebrated its 45th anniversary in June 2012, and shared its future product strategy, “AMG Performance 50”. AMG’s new strategy is not just limited to tuning the massselling Mercedes cars but includes completely new concepts and technologies to be launched over the next five years.
This includes the much talked about A 45 AMG, marking the company’s entry into the highperformance compact vehicle segment. The car will be powered by a purpose-built 2 l inline 4 turbocharged engine. AMG claims the engine will produce torque in excess of 400 Nm yet be fuelefficient. The A 45 AMG will bring in a new range of customers untapped until now, thereby adding significantly to sales and revenue. The 2 l engine will be exclusively manufactured at Kölleda, Germany, where the four-cylinder engines for A and B Class are presently manufactured.
A 45 AMG’s transmission duties will be carried out by the AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7-speed sports transmission with dual clutch technology and allwheel drive. While the remaining details are yet to surface, the car will feature AMG sports suspension, brake system and steering. The car is expected to be unveiled sometime in the first quarter of 2013. As a part of the strategy, AMG will add more new models to its portfolio with an aim to expand from the present 22 vehicles to about 30, including the A 45.
In a period of five years, AMG plans to increase its sales from the present 20,000 to about 30,000 units per annum. Other new models will include the SLS AMG GT and GL 63 AMG, along with S Class serving as a platform for newer AMG variants.
Speaking about the car, Ola Källenius, Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes-AMG GmbH said, “Our goal is to build the most dynamic, most powerful and at the same time most efficient four-cylinder series production compact car. Together with other future high-performance compact cars, the new A 45 AMG will embody exclusive dynamism and the “AMG Performance 50” growth strategy.”
Going Light
Another important focus in the new strategy is lightweight construction. The company should find this relatively easy provided its presence in motorsports right up to the level of Formula One. AMG already has more than 10 years of experience with carbon-fibre. In fact, the present SLS AMG’s propshaft is made out of carbon-fibre. The company plans to enhance its expertise in this area by transitioning to more panels and systems made from carbon-fibre than steel.
The future strategy for all Mercedes V12 engines will be decided by AMG, and all future V12 engines will be developed in Affalterbach, Germany. In addition, the company will take other expansive steps such as entering new markets, expanding present sales & service network and expanding the reach of AMG Driving Academy.
The “AMG Performance 50” is a clear indicator of how companies with motorsport experience can benefit from leveraging track technologies to road cars. AMG cars would typically earn Mercedes more margin per car than a regular Mercedes, thereby enhancing the group’s margins. In an industry fighting with cost, competition, declining margins and tightening regulations, strategies such as this could be very helpful, in technical, legislative and financial terms.