Press Release
Running gear
· Completely newly developed double-wishbone front axle
· basic layout of the four-control-shaft rear axle taken from the Golf
Dynamics and innovative concepts characterise the prototype’s running gear, too. On the one hand, it is very light, but on the other hand it offers quite obvious potential for extreme agility. The front double-wishbone axle is a completely new design. The wishbones are made of aluminium, as are the pivot bearings. The wheel bearings are courtesy of the Golf. A special tubular stabiliser, racing shock absorbers and racing springs round off the hot configuration for driving fun.
The four-control-shaft rear axle is based on the derivate that was used in the Golf. Its use in a central-engined sports car emphasises the potential of an axle that harmonises perfectly with front-wheel, rear-wheel and all-wheel drive. In the EcoRacer (weight distribution: 39 to 61) it was tuned specifically to the central-engine concept, and robbed of a few kilograms. For example, the wishbones are now made of aluminium. The tie rods are infinitely adjustable. And because a handbrake lever would only get in the way in a pure-bred sports car anyway, the development engineers went all the way and integrated the electric parking brake from the Passat. Racing springs and shock absorbers optimise the Nürburgring North Loop capability on the rear axle, too. The drive shafts are from the Golf GTI.
The central-engine configuration, the CFP bodywork and the very light running gear made it possible to achieve a weight distribution of von 40 to 60 (front / rear), which is ideal for a sports car of this type. Weight and power make contact with the road through 175/55 R 17 tyres at the front and 225/45 R 17 tyres at the rear.
Part of the fascination of a sports car is not only the physically tangible acceleration, but also the no less intense braking. Up front, this job is handled impressively by internally ventilated brake discs 288 millimetres in diameter. On the rear axle, 286 mm discs do their bit to decelerate the EcoRacer ahead of all curves and obstacles as the situation demands. The main brake cylinder with its 10-inch brake booster is a contribution from Golf and Co. The ESP originated in the new Passat, its software being adapted to rear-wheel drive (Passat: front-wheel and all-wheel drive). Speaking of synergies: the pedal arrangement of the EcoRacer, with standing accelerator and hanging brake pedal, has already convinced the drivers of the current Golf GTI.
Engine / 1.5 TDI
· World premiere of a new turbo-diesel generation
· Downsizing concept analogous to the twin charger in the Golf GT
Just as unique from the point of view of design as the whole body is the TDI engine of the EcoRacer. It is the future of the diesel engine. Clean, strong and very adaptable. The 1.5 TDI is still under trial. Like the new twin charger (TSI) among the directinjection petrol engines, the turbo-diesel direct injection engine is characterised by greatest agility at lowest consumption. Volkswagen refer to it as a highly charged downsizing concept.
The four-cylinder engine develops 100 kW /136 PS at 4000 rpm. Between 1900 and 3750 rpm, the 1484 cc four-valve unit develops a torque of more than 250 Newton metres. The compression ratio is 17.2:1. The unit is both light and compact, and – not only in the EcoRacer – it conforms to values planned for the EU-5 exhaust standard. The gearbox of the turbo-diesel is the DSG double-clutch transmission.
A deciding factor: the 1.5 TDI, presented in the EcoRacer for the first time, has the potential to implement the CCS process. CCS (Combined Combustion System) is the combustion process of the intermediate future, and combines the advantages of diesel and petrol engines, using synthetic fuels.
Interior / Cockpit / Operating concept
New multifunction display could soon be implemented in series models
With all its economy, the EcoRacer is uncompromising when it comes to fascinating driving. And this is also reflected in the interior of the two-seater. Everything is tailored to the driver. He has a leather-upholstered bucket seat, and finds everything exactly where it should be. The multifunction display, with central instruments and integrated infotainment functions, is completely visible whatever the adjustment position of the steering wheel, and whatever the size of the driver. The secret is that the multifunction display is integrated in the steering column, and moves with the steering wheel. The steering wheel itself is a new design with an airbag, and measures 340 millimetres in diameter.
The cockpit offers an enormous range of functions. At the same time, the number operating elements concentrate on the essentials. There is not one superfluous switch. Thanks to the new central display, only those functions are visualised that are currently relevant.
The central dial allows the driver to query many different display functions. The predominant basic setting is either the speedometer or a rev counter; although they are digital, these functions have an analogue appearance. If the DSG is shifted manually, the display can, if desired, indicate when a gear-change is recommended through a red outer ring.
In addition, the TFT display can be switched from “Normal Mode” mode to a “Racing Mode” with a switch in the gear lever. In race mode, the characteristics of the electromechanical power-assisted steering (EPS) is varied towards more direct steering. The electronics make this possible. The steering is taken from the Golf. Overall, the steering of the EcoRacer has been designed in a very sports-car-like manner, taking into account the very light loading of the front axle. The running-gear engineers also adapted the track rods to the geometry of the front axle. In “Racing Mode”, the engine-gearbox characteristics are altered in parallel for an even more sporting set-up.
A further highlight is “Fingerprint”, an authorisation system with which the EcoRacer can be tailored to different drivers. If, for instance, your 18-year-old son or daughter with little driving experience wants to drive the EcoRacer, it is possible to activate a mode in which the sports car does not develop its full power, the top speed is electronically reduced, and ESP is always active.
The various display modes (colour or monochrome can be selected) are controlled by an MMI (Multi Media Interface) system. The MMI with its cursor and four function fields (Car, Navigation, Telephone and Audio) is located on the aluminium-effect central tunnel in front of the DSG gearshift, which is also newly designed. At this point, there is an integrated storage compartment with an interface for an Apple iPod (title display and menu control via the central display).
