Turbonium At Home Study Guide

The following materials are meant to provoke stimulating conversation as well as additional research in your own private laboratory. Should you discover any new uses for Turbonium, or develop interesting theories regarding its place in our world, please contact us at: www.vw.com.

Turbonium Research Summary

Turbonium seems to possess more than just swirling ions with which to distinguish itself. For example, a highly polished shell, roaring nucleus and numerous protective devices (both active and passive) have been discovered to exist in concert with Turbonium.

Active Safety

Highlighted below are some of the systems and devices uncovered through asphalt laboratory research, which aid the driver in preventing accidents.

Front wheel drive helps counteract the lateral forces experienced during cornering, providing the most direct link between the engine, the transaxle and driving wheels.

Power assisted rack and pinion steering provides a high level of control for precise maneuvering, as well as reliable feedback to the driver.

Load proportioning brake valves help reduce the risk of wheel lock-up by sensing and adjusting for changing brake pressure requirements brought on by varying weight loads, or by weight transfer during sharp braking.

The front seat three-point safety belt system with height-adjustable upper anchorages is designed for optimum comfort and restraint effectiveness.

Quartz-halogen headlamps facilitate maximum visibility during nighttime hours.

Driver ergonomics are designed to decrease body stress and fatigue. These include controls placed within the driver's easy reach and firm seating surfaces. Interior comfort, visibility, seating, tactile feel and ventilation are all optimized, while road noise and vibration are minimized.

Selective unlocking^† helps prevent negative forces (unexpected "guests" ) from entering the passenger side front seat. This allows drivers to lock or unlock the doors and trunk from a distance of approximately six to eight feet.
^† Selective unlocking optional.

Automatic shift lock^‡ helps prevent steering wheel operation while the key is removed, as well as unintended vehicle movement prior to start-up.
^‡ Automatic shift lock optional.

Passive Safety

In circumstances where an accident cannot be avoided, Passive Safety components work together to dissipate the collision's energy and protect occupants.

Dual front and front side impact airbag supplemental restraints, designed to work in combination with safety belts, slow and limit the occupants' movement and reduce force during a collision. (Both scientists and lawyers at Volkswagen remind you that airbags are supplemental restraints only. They strongly recommend vehicle occupants always use safety belts and seat children only in the rear, using restraint systems appropriate for their size and age.)

The safety cell provides a rigid infrastructure of interrelated components to protect occupants by preventing outside intrusion of other vehicles or objects into the passenger compartment.

Sturdy roof pillars, welded to the unit body construction, work to maintain the vehicle's integrity during the unlikely event of a rollover accident.

The energy-absorbing steering column protects the driver's head and upper torso from injury.

Front and rear crush zones yield upon impact and dissipate kinetic energy, reducing the forces acting on the occupants.

Engine

A direct application of Turbonium results in unique propulsive properties. Volkswagen engineers realized a full application in the form of a 150 horsepower, 1.8 liter, 4-cylinder turbocharged engine, which combines a high compression ratio, low displacement and unique 5-valve design for optimal power and performance. Here are some highlights of their research:

The 5-valve per cylinder design provides better fuel efficiency and lower emissions overall, through an optimal layout featuring a large valve area and high valve lift. Dual overhead camshafts operate these smaller, lighter valves, utilizing a piston stroke that is longer than the cylinder bore, thus enhancing mid-range torque. Hydraulic valve lifters maintain near-zero clearance between the valves and cam lobes to eliminate valve clattering and the need for valve adjustments. Volkswagen's 1.8 liter engine incorporates three 27 mm intake valves and two 30 mm exhaust valves.

Centralized spark plugs result in a short ignition path and help create efficient combustion. A turbocharger boosts the engine early in the acceleration cycle to eliminate sluggishness. In addition, Volkswagen's engineers found that the best way to distribute the benefits of Turbonium was with an engine compression ratio of 9.5:1 (academics will note this is relatively high for a turbocharged engine). As a result, the engine delivers good power at very low speeds even before the turbocharger begins to boost the engine.

Torque kicks in at a low 1,750 rpm and holds its peak to 4,600 rpm. This creates a broad torque plateau with tremendous passing power throughout the mid-range.

Warranty

Volkswagen believes owning a New Beetle GLX should be worry-free, so you can continue to unlock the mysteries of the universe.

Each New Beetle includes:
A 10-year or 100,000 mile (whichever comes first) Limited Powertrain Warranty including parts and labor, without a deductible for the original owner and immediate family members. All manufacturer's scheduled maintenance for 2 years or 24,000 miles (whichever comes first). A 2-year or 24,000-mile (whichever comes first) bumper-to-bumper limited warranty covering those highly unlikely defects in materials or workmanship. A limited corrosion warranty covering repairs or replacement of any rust perforated panels for 12 years (regardless of mileage). And 2 years of 24-hour Roadside Assistance (provided by the American Automobile Association, or in Canada, the Professional Dispatch Group).

Researching Turbonium in the Home Lab

Volkswagen applauds the efforts of road scientists everywhere eager to make their own discoveries. Initial research is best begun at your local Volkswagen dealer, where you may partake in a range of experiments. (While it is not necessary to wear a lab coat to the dealership, this will help the dealer immediately distinguish you as a serious researcher on a path for truth.)

Be sure to engage the dealer's salespeople, as they are highly trained in the handling of Turbonium. They can provide you with valuable research assistance, such as formulation of interior options and exterior colors. They are also thoroughly experienced in the application of Turbonium in asphalt-equipped environments.