Info für Besucher ohne Javascript

Premium

License plate G - Volkswagen and the spiral loader

This article was auto-translated. We apologize if some words are confusing or simply amusing. Would you like to help us improve?

Created on November 18, 2022

Text:

Sven Jürisch

Photos:

Volkswagen / Werk

19

Volkswagen

1

Archiv

1

Volkswagen / Werk

19

Volkswagen

1

Archiv

1

VW Corrado G60 (1988) - this is how it was shown in advertising

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Cutaway model of a G-loader with clearly visible compressor wheel

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Cutaway model of a VW G-loader

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Patent drawings by Léon Creux. The name "Rotary Engine", with which the Wankel is associated today, is interesting

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

The four main components of the G-Loader

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

The G-Loader in individual parts

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

The Volkswagen G-Lader consists of these parts

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

A comparison of the response behavior of turbochargers and mechanical superchargers

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

VW Golf GTI G60 (1990) - Sectional drawing of the engine

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

VW Golf GTI G60 (1990) - The engine

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

VW IRVW 3 (1984) - "Integrated Research Volkswagen" with G-Lader

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

VW Eco Polo (1987) - Only 3.6 liters of diesel per 100 km thanks to G-Lader

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

VW Eco Polo (1987) - 860 cubic two-cylinder engine with 40 hp

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

VW Polo G40 (1985) in racing action

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

VW Polo GT G40 (1987) - Sectional drawing of the turbocharged engine

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

VW Polo Coupé GT G40 (1987) - with BBS-RA alloy wheels

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

VW Polo Coupé GT G40 (1987) - with the 14-inch "Hockenheim" alloy wheels

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

VW Polo Coupé GT G40 (1987) - Engine compartment with long charge air duct

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

VW Polo Coupé G40 (1985) - At record-breaking drives in Ehra-Lessien

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

VW Polo Coupé GT G40 (1987) - Drawing of the charge air circuit

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

VW Golf GTI G60 (1990) - with G-Lader 160 hp and even available with all-wheel drive

You have only

1 out of 21

images seen in high resolution

Summary

Almost forty years ago, Volkswagen tried to make its cars faster and more economical with the G-Lader. The experiment only lasted one model generation, but today the OGs from Wolfsburg - the "original G-Laders" - are sought-after rarities. This article tells the story of the development of the VW spiral supercharger.

This article contains the following chapters

Bargaining for every mark
Old technology rethought
On to something new
Small but mighty: the G40 engine
Off-G-charging

Estimated reading time: 8min

Preview (beginning of the article)

Volkswagen at the beginning of the 1980s - these were engines that had just left the boxer principle behind, but whose displacement and power were limited: four cylinders, 1.8 liters of displacement and a maximum of 112 hp. Wolfsburg did not offer more for money or good words. Only the five-cylinder engine, which had been further developed from the four-cylinder, provided some steam for the Audi subsidiary, but it was too big to be installed in the newly designed Scirocco, Golf and Polo models. Volkswagen switched to multi-valve technology with the Golf GTI 16V in 1986. Volkswagen was determined to use cylinder heads with four instead of two valves per cylinder in the entire model range and thus keep the top models Golf GTI, Scirocco GTX and Passat 2.0 competitive. The 139 hp in the Golf without emission control was a decent result. Only the controlling department was not satisfied, as the production of the four-valve cylinder heads was expensive and required constant reworking. In addition, the power output was limited, as the 1.8-liter basic engine could hardly produce more than 150 hp, even with four-valve technology. The expensive technology did not appear to be worthwhile for models with a displacement of less than 1.8 liters, which is why VW decided not to use it here.

Welcome to Zwischengas!

Continue reading this article for free?

Images of this article

Source: