Many believe that the internal combustion engine is at its life’s end – that nothing significant has been altered in the last few decades. But nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, since Volkswagen Group introduced technologies such as TSI and DSG into their product range, more car drivers have had access to supercar-level technology that works for both more power and efficiency.
Don’t believe that last line? Consider this. When Ferrari introduced the Enzo, it had an incredible shift time of just 150 milliseconds. They worked on the formula and refined it further to just 60 milliseconds on the F430 Scuderia. How fast does the average DSG take to shift? 8 milliseconds.
You can imagine just how big an impact the transmission was on the automotive community. In 2003, Volkswagen earned the Innovation Prize by AutoBild test&tuning for pioneering this impressive technology not just for performance cars, but for mass-produced passenger cars too.
TSI technology was extremely impressive for similar reasons. By combining downsizing and high torque output using direct injection and forced induction, Volkswagen have managed some incredible things with the internal combustion engine.
Since its introduction in 2006, the 1.4-litre TSI Twincharger has won more than a dozen International Engine of the Year awards – more than any other in recent memory. Not only has it won the award for Overall Engine of the Year, but has even snagged one award for Best Green Engine back in 2009. This is the award that Tesla wins nowadays.
Most impressive of all, it won in the 1-litre to 1.4-litre category 9 consecutive times. Not surprising, given that this tiny little unit went on to power more than 16 different cars all across Volkswagen Group’s many marques. It was with this very engine that the Golf was named ‘Small Family Car of the Year’ by WhatCar? from 2009 to 2012.
Some people are fine with the same old slushbox and 2-litre engine that were found in cars built 2 decades ago. Others prefer to embrace innovative technologies that bring pollution down while putting more power in their hands. No other manufacturer has done more than Volkswagen in this regard – and the recognition they’ve received is evidence that they’re doing something right.
