Currently reading: Volkswagen launches new modular petrol engines

A 1.5 TSI is due first, most likely in the upcoming T-Roc and T-Cross SUVs, promising gains in power and fuel economy and lower emissions

Volkswagen has released details of its next-generation TSI turbocharged petrol engine line-up, alongside the range’s public debut at the International Vienna Motor Symposium.

The so-called EA2111 TSI evo range is a modular family that is said to offer more power, improved fuel economy and lower emissions than its predecessors. It features variable-geometry turbochargers (VGT) and a Miller Cycle combustion process - the same process used in Audi's new 2.0-litre engine featured in the latest Audi A4.

That 187bhp unit is expected to be used in the next-generation Golf GTI in more potent form, although this has not yet been confirmed. So far, the only engine confirmed from the new range is a 1.5-litre four-cylinder unit, available in 128bhp and 148bhp guises.

The 1.5 TSI replaces the 1.4-litre unit of the current TSI generation and will form the basis of the next generation of plug-in hybrid powertrains for production versions of the T-Cross, T-Cross Breeze and T-Roc, as well as the Volkswagen Golf and Volkswagen Tiguan (in both standard and long wheelbases), Volkswagen Passat and possibly Volkswagen Touran.

Vw troc

VW says the 1.5 will make production later this year, although it hasn't yet confirmed which model will receive it first.

The larger 1.5-litre displacement was chosen as it is the biggest size that fits into a particular Chinese road tax category (emphasising how important that market is to global decisions), and also because VW wanted its new units to produce more torque than the outgoing range.

This enlarged cylinder size combines with the use of VGT technology to offer a wider window of boost, with the effects being felt from as low as 1300rpm. In the graph below, the torque (blue) and power curves (red) of the 128bhp 1.5 TSI engine are shown, illustrating how peak torque is available until 4000rpm and peak power is reached about 1000rpm later.

Vw tsi 2016

Along with improved cooling, an integrated exhaust manifold and freer-moving parts, the new TSI engines also feature cylinder deactivation technology. The 1.5 TSI is able to shut down two of its four cylinders in certain driving circumstances, helping it to increase efficiency by 10% and need up to a litre less fuel per 62 miles in its most frugal form.

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VW says reduced inertia and the lastest direct injection technology - which uses a smaller injector tip of 6mm that works at up to 350bar of pressure - also gives the new TSI engines faster response rates and cleaner exhaust emissions. This should help the range to conform to the next phase of European CO2 limits, which will require manufacturers to lower the average CO2 emissions of their line-up to 95g/km from 2020.

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Comments
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John O'Groats 3 May 2016

Lacking In Torque

The quoted torque of 200Nm for this 1.5-litre Miller cycle engine is way below par compared to the 320Nm torque for VAG's 2-litre Miller cycle engine.
colinstone 3 May 2016

1.0 TSI

John O'Groats wrote:

The quoted torque of 200Nm for this 1.5-litre Miller cycle engine is way below par compared to the 320Nm torque for VAG's 2-litre Miller cycle engine.

And the 200nm from the 1.0 TSI 115PS 3 cylinder. Most torque/litre of any production petrol engine. And a cracking little engine, very smooth and quiet.

Factczech 29 April 2016

Cough.. cough....

Ahem... cough..cough.. did VW just promised "lower" emissions???
colinstone 3 May 2016

Emissions

Factczech wrote:

Ahem... cough..cough.. did VW just promised "lower" emissions???

Why not. Recent real world analysis of Euro 5 and 6 engines has proved that VW petrol and diesel engines are a lot cleaner than other manufacturers.

LP in Brighton 29 April 2016

Already has cylinder deactivation

Must admit I didn't see this on first reading, has the article been extended? This goes a long way to explain the 10% efficiency boost, though I guess that this would only happen at low load such as, for example, when performing official fuel consumption testing!
Regarding this engine being a four cylinder unit well, since this is a modular unit, this leaves the door open for a 1200cc 3-cylinder variant in the future. Perhaps if VW has any funds remaining, we will see the long awaited Up GT?
xxxx 29 April 2016

4 cylinders

LP in Brighton wrote:

Must admit I didn't see this on first reading, has the article been extended? This goes a long way to explain the 10% efficiency boost, though I guess that this would only happen at low load such as, for example, when performing official fuel consumption testing!
Regarding this engine being a four cylinder unit well, since this is a modular unit, this leaves the door open for a 1200cc 3-cylinder variant in the future. Perhaps if VW has any funds remaining, we will see the long awaited Up GT?

Yep that COD section is all new and explains why 4 cylinders, not much point in shouting down 1 cylinder and god knows how rough a 3 cylinder would be if you shut down 2.