Geneva Motor Show: Volkswagen Concept A with CNG Twincharger

Volkswagen slapped a turbo and a supercharger on a 1.4L four-banger at the same time and wowed us all last year with its Twincharger. The technology returns in concept form on V-dub’s Concept A sport utility that features the same 1.4L Twincharger engine, but this time running on compressed natural gas. The TSI CNG engine develops 150 hp and uses about 5.0 kg of natural gas per 100 kilometers.

Aside from the trick powerplant technology, VW says that the look of the Concept A indicates what future all-terrain vehicles below the Touareg will be like. The concept casts the shadow of a coupe and features 20-inch wheels, suicide rear doors and a liftgate like a truck below the traditional hatch.

More lives shots of the Concept A and VW’s press release after the jump.


World premier II: Concept A with the first natural gas Twincharger

• The visitors of the Geneva Auto Salon can experience another world premier under the hood of the Concept A study. It is fueled by the first natural gas (CNG) powered TSI. This via compressor and turbo double charged 1.4 liter engine (Twincharger) develops 110 kW / 150 hp and uses an average of only 5.0 kg natural gas every hundred kilometers.
• Highly charged engines like the TSI from Volkswagen generally work with a high efficiency degree. This again significantly improves with the CNG (compressed natural gas, 130 ROZ). One of the positive effects: The CO2 balance of the natural gas powered TSI engines is 20 to 25 percent lower than a gas fueled TSI. Above that, TSI CNG advances to one of the most important stepping stone technologies on the way to a crude oil independent mobility. Through conversion from natural gas to synthetic fuel (gas-to-liquids) for instance Synfuel is produced. It is environmentally benign bio-degradable fuel which – among other things – allows the mentioned CCS hybrid combustion process.
• Fact is: The over 200 km/h fast Concept A BlueMotion shows the vanguard gateway between sports cars and the SUVs of tomorrow. It front part gives an insight of a future VW all-terrain vehicle under the Touareg. The silhouette shows the lines of a coupe. The front and rear doors open facing each other. The carriage overhangs are briskly short, the hood long, the C columns one of a kind. 20 inch alloy rims and 295 tires fill out the space in the distinctively extended wheelhouses. The rear part, with its athletic flanks, imparts a strong elegance. The hatchback is built in tailgate-style and can be opened in two steps: the area under the rear lights swings out like a pick-up loading surface and thus creates a lot of room for big items.