Volkswagen Group of America Eyes Fifth-Generation EA888 Engine for Future Hybrid Vehicles
CEO Tao Haifeng of SAIC Volkswagen recently spoke to a reporter, confirming that the group plans to apply the fifth-generation EA888 engine to its future hybrid vehicles. The company aims to concentrate production and release new energy vehicle models by 2026, with the possibility of releasing one new model per month.
According to Tao, the development process is crucial for ensuring the quality and reliability of the vehicles before mass production begins. He also stressed that SAIC Volkswagen has a significant advantage in terms of price competitiveness with Chinese brands, as well as having robust quality control systems.
On March 10, SAIC Volkswagen rolled out its new Proace model, which features the fifth-generation EA888 2.0T engine for the first time. This engine boasts increased power output compared to the previous generation, with a maximum capacity of 200 horsepower. The vehicle is also more fuel-efficient, producing less emissions, noise, and improving overall reliability.
Following the positive market reception of the Proace model, SAIC Volkswagen plans to release the fifth-generation EA888 engine across more models in the future. The company will continue to maintain its leadership in fuel-efficient vehicles while investing in smart technologies and continuous updates through Over-The-Air (OTA) releases.
Currently, the development process has taken on a more comprehensive aspect, with both hardware and software being developed simultaneously. Although the company collaborated traditionally with German partners for development, it can now also handle some tasks domestically. Looking forward, SAIC Volkswagen will continue to work closely with suppliers in enhancing its intelligent capabilities while adopting smart technologies.