Volkswagen celebrates 20 years of Total Flex technology, which debuted in the Gol Power 1.6 Total Flex in 2003. The model was the first vehicle sold in Brazil capable of running on gasoline, ethanol or mixing the two fuels in any proportion. Since launching the Total Flex model, the automaker has sold more than 8 million flex-fuel vehicles.
GOL G4 2009 with an exclusive look: leather, wheels, sound and accessories. See the video!
However, before launching the Gol with this technology, Volkswagen began to study the possibility of mixing ethanol and gasoline in 1992, when the development of the fuel injection system with digital control began. With the advancement of the digital control system in engines and the infrastructure established for ethanol, the brand decided to launch the novelty in the early 2000s.
From the 2000s until today, Volkswagen has made several updates to the system. For example, in 2009 the brand removed the “tank” of gasoline for the cold start of the Polo eFlex. According to the automaker, the software became more sophisticated and began to identify the fuel in a safer way, making the adaptation faster.
According to Volkswagen, over these 20 years flexible engines have continued to receive development, in search of an energy improvement and, also, the reduction of harmful gas emissions to the environment. The automaker even inaugurated the Way to Zero Center, at the Anchieta factory, to research projects and technologies that will contribute to the decarbonization of the automotive sector.
*With the collaboration Felipe Salomão