Volkswagen is electrifying Europe's most successful car ever: the Golf. The best seller with sales of over 30 million units to its name thus marches on to become the Volkswagen e-Golf with drive technology that delivers zero tailpipe emissions. Volkswagen is celebrating the world premiere of the e-Golf at the 2013 International Motor Show in Frankfurt. Also making its public debut at the IAA is another battery-powered electric Volkswagen, the e-up!. From now on, Volkswagen will thus be offering in its vehicles every form of drive system relevant in the world today.
Both agile and efficient, the Volkswagen e-Golf demonstrates best-in-class qualities from the off, leading the way with a low power consumption figure of 12.7 kW/100 km. Thanks to a particularly innovative overall technological system, improved aerodynamics (cD = 0.281) and perfected rolling resistance, the Volkswagen is thus 10 per cent more energy-efficient than the best steel-built direct competitor. As a result, the e-Golf will be cruising as of spring 2014 (when the European launch begins) extremely economically around the cities of the world (launches in Asia and North America follow in late 2014 / early 2015). Energy costs: around €3.28 per 100 km.
The very well equipped four-door e-Golf (with a specification which includes the high-end 'Discover Pro' radio/navigation system, a heated windscreen, automatic climate control, parking heater/ventilation, leather steering wheel) is recognisable at once by the aerodynamically optimised 'Astana' alloy wheels and - being used by Volkswagen for the first time - by its LED headlights (both standard on all models). The LED headlights are more energy-efficient than xenon systems, yet produce even more light. Also highly energy-efficient are the likewise standard LED daytime running lights with their C-shaped design, a signature feature of the company's electric vehicles. Another striking feature is the bottom strip across the radiator grille. As on the Golf GTI, but in this case blue rather than red, this strip carries on into the headlights - an element that, like the 'Think Blue.' campaign, consciously underlines the electrically powered Golf's environmentally friendly efficiency.
The fact that practically all of the Golf's driver assistance systems - innovations such as ACC Adaptive Cruise Control and City Emergency Braking - are available for the e-Golf as well as the conventionally powered models underlines the fact that this Volkswagen is a very safe and exceptionally comfortable companion to take drivers into the era of zero-emission mobility.
The Volkswagen e-Golf is powered by an 85 kW / 115 PS electric motor. From a standing start the synchronous motor, internally called the EEM 85, develops an impressive maximum torque of 270 Nm. Top performance figures are the result: the Volkswagen reaches a speed of 60 km/h within 4.2 seconds, and after just 10.4 seconds the e-Golf is up to 100 km/h. A fascinating factor here is the pull-away performance, which is extremely comfortable and totally free of any delay. On the motorway the top speed levels off, electronically limited, at 140 km/h1.
The high-performance 12,000-rpm motor and, also developed by Volkswagen, the single-speed gearbox (EQ 270) with integrated differential and mechanical parking brake form a compact module. The motor/gearbox unit is made in Volkswagen's components plant in Kassel, Germany.
Depending on route profile, driving style and payload, the driving range is between 130 and 190 km1; at very low outdoor temperatures, driving range may lie below these figures. Good range will be ensured not only in fine weather but in the winter too by a newly developed, optional heat pump. Offered as an add-on module for the electric heating (high-voltage heater) and the electric air conditioning compressor, the heat pump utilises both the heat from the ambient air and the heat given off by the drive system components. In this way the high-voltage heater's consumption of electric power is significantly reduced. Through use of the heat pump the e-Golf's range increases in winter by up to 20 per cent.
MQB has already paved the way
The Golf Mk7 was developed from the outset as a version which could use an electric powertrain. By virtue of the innovative flexibility of the new Modular Transverse Matrix (MQB), on which the current Golf design is based, Volkswagen was able to integrate the lithium-ion battery in space-saving fashion within a stabilising frame in the vehicle floor (under the front and rear seats and in the area of the centre tunnel). Like the motor elements of the powertrain, the battery was also developed in-house at Volkswagen.
264 cells delivering 24.2 kWh
The Volkswagen e-Golf has a kerb weight of 1,510 kg, of which 318 kg are accounted for by the lithium-ion battery. It is made up of a total of 264 individual cells, which are integrated into 27 modules (each with six or twelve cells). The cells add up to a nominal voltage of 323 V. Battery capacity: 24.2 kWh. The battery is fitted at the front with a battery management controller (BMC), which performs safety diagnosis and monitoring functions and also regulates the temperature balance in the battery junction controller (the interface to the motor's energy supply). When the car is not in use or in the event of a crash, power from the battery is automatically cut off.
Power electronics
A central element of the drive system is the power electronics module. Acting as the link, this module controls the flow of high-voltage energy between the e-motor and the lithium-ion battery (depending on battery voltage between 250 and up to 430 V). In the process the power electronics module converts the direct current (DC) stored in the battery into alternating current (AC). The power electronics therefore have the following interfaces: the traction circuit connection to the battery; the 3-phase connection to the e-motor; the plug connector from the DC/DC converter to the 12-V power circuit; and a connection for the high-voltage power distributor.
Socket, wall box or charging station
As with the smaller e-up!, there are several different ways of charging the battery in the e-Golf. As the conventional solution, the charging cable supplied as standard with the car is plugged into a 230-volt mains electrical socket. The battery of the e-Golf is charged in this way at a charge level of 2.3kW of alternating current (AC) from the mains. If it is completely flat, it will be fully charged again within a maximum of 13 hours. As an optional extra Volkswagen is offering a wall box for the garage or carport. This charges at a level of 3.6 kW. If completely flat (which in practice is rare), the battery would thus be fully charged again after around eight hours. There are also public charging stations that 'refuel' electric cars at a power level of 3.6 kW. The e-Golf can also optionally be prepared for the combined charging system (CCS) using a DC power supply. In this case the Volkswagen can be recharged via special CCS charging stations at power levels of up to 40 kW, allowing the battery to be charged to 80 per cent in around 30 minutes. On the e-Golf the start of the charging process can be activated - immediately or delayed by programming the time - by pressing a button next to the charging socket under the 'fuel cap'.
Driving profiles and regenerative braking
Two technologies of primary importance in relation to optimal utilisation of the vehicle's energy are the two driving profiles designed for energy economy ('Eco' and 'Eco+') and the four different levels of regenerative braking ('D1', 'D2', 'D3, and 'B').
'Eco' and 'Eco+' driving profiles
The Volkswagen e-Golf is equipped as standard with three driving profiles: 'Normal', 'Eco' and 'Eco+'. The Volkswagen is automatically started in 'Normal' mode. For drivers wanting to extend the range, the first option is the 'Eco' mode. The effects of selecting this mode include paring back the e-motor's maximum power output to 70 kW and the starting torque to 220 Nm. In parallel, the electronics reduce the output of the air conditioning system and modify the response curve of the accelerator pedal. The e-Golf can now reach speeds of up to 115 km/h (in 'Normal' mode: 140 km/h1) and accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 13.1 seconds (in 'Normal' mode: 10.4 seconds). In 'Eco+' mode the electronics limit the power output to 55 kW and the starting torque to 175 Nm. At the same time the accelerator pedal response curve becomes even flatter and the air conditioning is switched off. The e-Golf now reaches a top speed of 90 km/h and accelerates at a correspondingly slower rate. Nevertheless, via kick-down - in 'Eco' and 'Eco+' mode - drivers can still obtain full power, maximum torque and a top speed of 140 km/h1.
Regenerative braking in settings 'D1', 'D2', 'D3' and 'B'
In addition to the driving mode function, the range can also be influenced using the regenerative braking system. There are five levels available: 'D' (no regenerative braking), 'D1', D2', 'D3' and 'B'. It works like this: in gear lever setting 'D' the driver simply taps the gear lever knob to the left to switch to 'D1' (1x), 'D2' (2x) or 'D3' (3x). Tapping the knob to the right moves down the D levels. If the gear lever is pushed to the right and briefly held there, the electronics switch in one jump back to 'D'. The driver activates regenerative braking level 'B' by pulling the gear shift lever backwards. In an electric car this number of levels leads to a different way of driving. It is possible to use regenerative braking consciously to slow the e-Golf down. Level 'D1' regenerates energy and slows down the car the least, while level 'B' has the strongest effect. At levels 'D2', 'D3' and 'B', the deceleration via regenerative braking is so strong that in this case the brake lights automatically come on. However, if the battery is fully charged, no energy regeneration takes place. In this case, the braking power also reduces, which the driver can feel intuitively.
Electromechanical brake servo
Volkswagen has developed an electromechanical brake servo for its electric cars. This optimises the driver's braking force in the same way that brake servos do in conventional cars. In the case of the electromechanical brake servo, however, this happens via what is known as 'brake blending' - a process in which low levels of deceleration are produced solely through the e-motor's braking torque. Stronger deceleration, meanwhile, is achieved through joint braking torque from the electric motor and the hydraulic brake system.
Aerodynamics and rolling resistance
By developing very specific measures such as reducing the volume of cooling air (via a radiator shutter and partially enclosed radiator grille), new underbody panelling, modification of the tail with a rear spoiler and C-pillar air guides, and by developing new aerodynamic wheels (largely closing off the wheel openings flush with the car's exterior), Volkswagen was able to lower the Golf's air drag. Whereas on the standard Golf (1.6 TDI with 77 kW) air drag is 0.686 m², the company was able to reduce this to 0.615 m² on the e-Golf, thus improving it by 10 per cent. Similarly, the cD value was improved to 0.281.
Rolling resistance reduced by 10 per cent
Volkswagen was able to achieve another positive effect on energy consumption and range through optimisation of the tyres (205/55 R16 91 Q). Reducing the rolling resistance coefficient from 7.2 per 1,000 (Golf BlueMotion) to 6.5 per 1,000 for the e-Golf (likewise an improvement of 10 per cent) also improves the range.
Acoustics
Electric drive systems present a challenge in relation to acoustics. The reason for this is that as a result of the absence of any internal combustion engine very different sources of noise become noticeable. In addition, the scarcely perceptible and yet very specific background noise of the drive system is joined by the sounds and vibrations of the electrically powered auxiliary components. Last but not least, without any fine tuning, wind and rolling sounds are much more noticeable in electric vehicles, as they are in luxury cars.
As quiet as a luxury car
Against this background Volkswagen implemented an acoustic concept for the e-Golf that is specifically tailored to the characteristics of an electric vehicle, making the zero-emission car into an almost silent cruiser. A few examples: the powerplant suspension system was switched to a pendulum mount with modified response characteristics, which despite the e-motor's high build-up of torque when accelerating greatly enhances the acoustics. Through the design of the motor housing unit Volkswagen was also able to achieve an extremely low level of noise emission. Furthermore the highly sound-absorbent and yet very lightweight materials used in the interior produce such a high level of acoustic comfort that occupants of the e-Golf, itself already a high quality car, feel as though they are riding in a vehicle from the luxury class.
e-exterior
Visually the unique, always four-door Volkswagen e-Golf can be recognised even from a distance by its especially energy-efficient all-LED headlights, being used here as a world first. Compared to xenon headlights the LED system produces more light despite consuming less power. From now on, an identifying feature of Volkswagen electric cars will be the C-shaped designer signature of the LED daytime running lights in the redesigned front bumper. At the rear, the latest Golf can be made out as a zero-emission car by such features as the absence of any exhaust pipes. In addition appropriate model name markings and the VW logo with a blue background also show that the e-Golf is a zero-emission vehicle. Also standard on the car's exterior, as mentioned above, are LED rear lights and the aerodynamically perfectly balanced 16-inch alloy wheels with 205 tyres optimised for low rolling resistance.
e-interior
In addition to the specific fabric design (seats in the 'Merlin e-grey / Clip titanium black' pattern; optionally leather) and the extremely good level of standard equipment (incl. automatic climate control, parking heater/ventilation, high-end Discover Pro radio-navigation system, heated windscreen, leather steering wheel, leather gear knob and elegant 'Iridium Matrix / Dark Magnesium' trim) striking features in the interior of the e-Golf include the new instrument layout and the touchscreen in the centre console, which is also equipped with new functions. In line with the exterior, the interior is also enhanced by blue elements, including the decorative seams of the leather steering wheel and gear knob, plus the floor-mat edgings. As an option the so-called 'Ambience pack' creates a link with the world of 'Think Blue.': it contains LED reading lights, blue footwell illumination, blue ambient lighting around the decorative trim and, of course, door-sill tread plates also illuminated in blue.
e-instruments
On the left-hand side of the instrument cluster the rev counter is replaced by the power display (which indicates if the motor is ready, the battery is being charged via regenerative braking or power is being drawn off) and the indicator of output availability. Still on the right as a corresponding instrument is the speedometer, in this case going up to 160 km/h. Added to the bottom section of the speedometer is an indicator showing the charge level of the high-voltage battery. On the colour display (premium multifunction display) between the power display and the speedometer, features now include a permanent indication of the driving range, of the currently active level of regenerative braking and an indication of the remaining charging time and of the type of charging connection. In a separate LED field in the lower segment of the multifunction display, the 'READY' message also appears after starting the motor, indicating readiness for the car to be driven.
Touchscreen
Every Golf is equipped with a touchscreen. In the case of the e-Golf it is the range's premium display, the top 'Discover Pro' radio/navigation system's 8-inch touchscreen. In the e-Golf the system now shows numerous new functions.
Example 1 - Range monitor: this provides a graphic illustration of the vehicle's current range. The range potential of any auxiliary consumers is also displayed, as by switching off the consumer units shown to be on, the driver can gain extra range.
Example 2 - Energy flow indicator: by means of animated graphics this depicts the energy flow when accelerating (blue arrows) and when applying the brake that involves regenerative braking (green arrows). Meanwhile, regenerative braking statistics provide information on the amount of energy recovered since the start of the journey.
Example 3 - e-manager: this enables drivers to pre-programme up to three departure and charging times. At the defined time the vehicle ensures the set air conditioning and battery charge level. The heating or cooling of the interior can also be activated via parking heater/ventilation (fitted as standard) during the charging process. The air conditioning process thus does not have any effect on the charging of the battery which extends the range.
Example 4 - 360° range: the current radius of the e-Golf is shown by the so-called 360° range on the map of the surrounding area. The inner area represents the potential zone for a return trip. The outer area, on the other hand, represents the range for a one-way journey. Charging stations can be displayed and integrated into the route as intermediary destinations.
Volkswagen Car-Net e-Remote. Using the 'Car-Net e-Remote' app it is also possible to make many settings and information requests via a smartphone or the Car-Net website. In detail the app contains the following functions:
- Programming of the departure time - Functions that are scheduled according to the programmed departure time include the the park heater/ventilation function; it is started at a specific time that depends on the outdoor temperature, so that the desired interior temperature is reached by the programmed departure time.
- Climate control - Starting and stopping the auxiliary climate control function, plus display of the outside temperature and the target temperature for the car's interior.
- Charging the battery - Starting and stopping the charging process, indicating charger connection status, charge status, charge progress, charge level, charge start time and range.
- Accessing vehicle data - Information display relating to individual journeys (single trips or long term), such as kilometres driven, journey time, electric motor power consumption, power consumption of other consumers such as air conditioning and radio, use of regenerative braking.
- Vehicle status queries - Doors and boot locked, lights (on/off), charging cable plugged in, position where the e-Golf was last parked (GPS position on a map).
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