VOLKSWAGEN has won the international competition “Golden Drop of Oil 2008” for its innovative engine gearbox combination, the powerful 90 kW TSI engine and the new 7-speed DSG (dual clutch) gearbox. The energy and environment prize is awarded annually by the German automobile club Kraftfahrer-Schutz e. V. (KS) for technical developments in passenger cars which make a significant contribution towards reducing fuel consumption and safeguarding the environment. The KS jury includes independent experts from many fields including science, engineering, journalism and politics, a press release said. The award was presented recently in Munich to Dr Tobias Loescheter Horst, Head of Volkswagen petrol engine pre-development. This marks the fifth time that Volkswagen has received this award. By combining the 90 kW TSI and the7-speed DSG, VW's class leader Golf requires only 5.9 litres per 100 kilometers, which corresponds to CO2 emissions of 139 g/km. Compared to similar predecessors with automatic gearboxes, fuel consumption is reduced by more than 20 percent (7.6 litres/100 km previously as opposed to 5.9 litres/100 km now).
