Introduction

Abstract

Powerful and sporty vehicles exert a special fascination on many people, both on the road and on the racetrack, and many childhood dreams revolve around or on four wheels. One dream that can be fulfilled is the Volkswagen Golf VII GTI Performance, which was launched in 2013. It combines sporty driving performance with unrestricted suitability for everyday use. Figure 1.1 compares some of its technical data with those of the Red Bull RB6, the world champion car of the 2010 Formula 1 season. The Golf VII GTI is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine with direct injection that delivers a maximum output of 230 hp. Prescribed by the regulations at the time, the Red Bull RB6 has a direct-injection 2.4-liter naturally aspirated V8 engine that puts out about 725 horsepower. The maximum torque of the TFSI engine is 350 Nm, while the Renault engine of the Red Bull RB6 delivers “only” about 290 Nm. At this point, the Red Bull RB6 would have to admit defeat to the GTI in a quartet of cars. However, the Formula 1 engine reaches a maximum speed of 18,000 rpm. In the Golf VII GTI, the rev limiter is already activated at around 6800 rpm. The engine’s power is determined as the product of engine speed and torque, which straightens out the power ratios – even in the quartet of cars. A disadvantage for the Red Bull RB6 in this case, however, would be the consumption of 47–70 l per 100 km, which occurs under racing conditions. The standard consumption of a Golf VII GTI seems to be much better with 6 l per 100 km. In this form, however, the comparison has no significance. Racing engines are more efficient than standard engines, and their fuel consumption is usually considerably lower than that of standard engines in relation to the power output. On the Nordschleife of the Nürburgring, the consumption of a Golf VII GTI rises to well over 20 l per 100 km.