VW sets JLR a 2-litre benchmark for Hotfire

When JaguarLandRover (JLR) unveils the power and torque ratings of its new 2-litre Ingenium diesel engine, industry watchers will be monitoring how close its performance comes to that of the 2-litre Volkswagen will put in the next Passat midsize sedan it will launch to the public at the Paris Motor Show in October.

With 237bhp, the 2-litre TDi BiTurbo is 62bbhp more powerful than the previous Passat, and offers 120Nm more torque.

VW aims to set performance benchmarks in diesel engine development and its first step will be a four-cylinder featuring dual-stage turbocharging system and very high pressure common rail system.

The Passat’s engine has a specific output of 88kW/litre, so it will deliver good performance and fuel efficiency even in larger, heavier vehicles. Even higher ratings are planned.

VW Group's head of engine development, Dr Heinz-Jakob Neußer, said:  “In the second half of this year we'll start with a 2-litre engine with 500Nm. It has a 2,500bar injection system and it can comply with all emissions standards.”

The unit is part of the EA288 diesel engine family. The most powerful version in production has a single variable geometry turbo and develops 140kW (187bhp) and 380Nm but the forthcoming variant's 176kW (236bhp) and 500Nm easily eclipses this.

The dual-stage turbochargers should enable high-end power does not compromise low-end torque. The 2,500bar rail pressure points to good mixture formation and low particulate emissions.

A close-coupled after-treatment system using SCR and high- and low-pressure EGR systems, minimises NOx emissions and gives Euro 6 compliance.

VW aims to stretch the ratings as high as 100kW/litre (134bhp/litre) – exceeding those of the most advanced six-cylinder diesels – but is studying other variants in between.

How will it achieve this power output? Could the VW group be set to use compacted graphite iron (CGI) more widely?

Dr Heinz-Jakob Neußer says only: “Within 300 milliseconds they (electric superchargers) can go up to 70,000rev/min, and then for a few seconds you get an additional boost so the turbocharger revs up very quickly. And you have the big advantage that you have an air surplus – this is very important for emissions performance. We are working very hard on 12V and 48V systems and you will hear a lot from us in the future.”