VW Group's EX-Engineering Chief Wants Out Of A German Prison

After 8 months in the slammer, he's really sorry for Dieselgate.

Very few of those involved with the Volkswagen Dieselgate scandal have gone to prison, but former VW Group executive Wolfgang Hatz is one of them. For the past eight months, Hatz has been incarcerated in Germany over his alleged involvement in the emissions scandal. According to Automotive News Europe, he’s now appealing to Germany’s highest court in order secure his freedom. He has not been convicted of a crime. Hatz was VW Group’s powertrain chief from 2011 until the scandal broke in 2015.

Before that he served as Audi’s head engine developer from 2001 to 2007. He also spent time at Porsche as R&D boss. Prior to joining the VW Group in 2001, Hatz worked for BMW and Opel. But it was under his watch when the defeat devices were developed and incorporated into the diesel engines, such as the 3.0-liter V6 diesel used by Audi. Audi admitted in late 2015 that this specific engine had the device. Hatz’s lawyers are trying to get him out of prison by offering to surrender his passport and a bail post worth millions of Euros. Munich-based prosecutors have declined the request, hence the appeal to the top court.

What also doesn’t bode well for Hatz is that he was a close associate and friend of former VW CEO Martin Winterkorn, who was recently charged in the US with conspiracy and fraud regarding Dieselgate. The US is currently trying to have him extradited from Germany. The German constitution, however, is preventing that from happening. As for Hatz, he’s still stuck in the slammer until the court says otherwise.

Aston Martin Steals McLaren's Chief Test Driver To Create Ultimate Hypercar

McLaren's former chief test driver has been appointed by Aston Martin to help develop its radical Valkyrie hypercar.

Aston Martin is enlisting the help of several companies to help develop the Valkyrie into the ultimate hypercar. Red Bull Racing will supply F1 technology to make the Valkyrie a race car for the road. Cosworth is building its 6.5-liter V12 engine, while Rimac is developing its lightweight hybrid battery system. Alcon and Surface Transforms will be supplying lightweight high-performance brake calipers and carbon discs to give the 1130-hp hypercarcar colossal stopping power.

And now the company has gained a potentially vital asset, as McLaren’s former chief test driver Chris Goodwin has now joined Aston Martin to help develop the Valkyrie. Goodwin has worked for McLaren for 21 years as the company’s chief test driver. During his time, he helped develop the P1 hybrid and has also been testing the BP23 and Senna. He also has racing experience including at Le Mans. Appointed as Aston Martin’s Expert High Performance Test Driver, Goodwin’s expertise will no doubt help the British automaker stay ahead of the competition. As well as the Valkyrie, Goodwin will also help develop Aston Martin’s first SUV, the DBX crossover, and RapidE electric car.

He joins Aston's new chief engineer for vehicle dynamics Simone Rizzuto, who was previously responsible for vehicle performance testing and integration at Maserati and Alfa Romeo. “I’m thrilled to have people of Chris and Simone’s calibre join Aston Martin’s already stellar engineering and dynamics team,” said Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer. “Their decision is a great endorsement of our future plans, while the skills and experience they bring is second to none. As we enter the next crucial phase in the development of our growing product and powertrain portfolios, they will make an invaluable contribution in shaping an exceptional new family of Aston Martin models."

View the original article here