- Volkswagen

UNDER THE BONNET
When less
is more
Smaller, lighter and way better, Volkswagen’s TSI engines
perform better than larger capacity engines with a frugal
appetite for fuel and no compromise on power
By Vanessa Papas
F
or centuries conventional wisdom has
led us to believe ‘more is more’. While
that may ring true for many things in
life, when it comes to Twitter updates, plastic
surgery, carbon emissions or the size of your
car’s engine, less really is more. Turbo Stratified
Injection (TSI) engines embody this principle
entirely and have proved to be a formidable
opposition to larger capacity engines.
Lighter, smaller and leaner, TSI engines
still deliver all the power and performance
that consumers demand and more. Its secret
is reduced friction in a TSI engine, which in
turn leads to a reduction in power loss. Being
lighter, the engine also has less weight to
shift in the car.
SMALLER ENGINE, MORE POWER
The worldwide trend in the motor industry is
making more with less. One innovative way of
doing this is producing engines that provide the
same performance using fewer kilowatts. With
Formula One Racing setting the example at the
highest class of competition, engine sizes are
getting smaller. The 2013 season is the final
year the series will use the current 2.4 litre V8
engine. From 2014 a 1.6ℓ turbocharged V6
engine formula will replace it.
Dr Rudolf Krebs, Head of Volkswagen’s
engine development department, points out that
being small has its evolutionary advantages.
38 Volkswagen
“There’s a misconception that smaller engines equal less power. While the 1.4ℓ TSI engine
is very small in capacity relative to its output, don’t be fooled by its size. We all know how
ants can lift objects many, many times their own body weight. In much the same way, with a
capacity of just 1.4 litres, the TSI engine manages to do the work of a 2.5ℓ power plant.
“It accomplishes this feat by being very good at ‘efficiency’. ‘Efficiency’ basically refers
to how much air you can actually get into an engine compared to that engine’s static capacity.
More air means more power.”
SUPER CHARGED, TURBO CHARGED
Volkswagen’s TSI engine range includes smaller capacity twin-charged engines, as well as
larger capacity turbocharged engines. All TSI engines have a turbocharger but engines
with a higher output also have a supercharger.
“The easiest way to get more air into an engine is to pressurise it with a special
sort of pump and there are two types you can use: supercharger or turbocharger,”
Dr Krebs points out.
Turbochargers run off an engine’s exhaust gases, which means they
don’t sap engine power but cause a delay before the exhaust gas
pressure gets high enough to work the turbo, called turbo lag.
Superchargers, on the other hand, run directly on engine power
so they work immediately but constantly soak up engine power,
making them less efficient.
“The best solution is combining the advantages of both
supercharger and turbocharger, which effectively removes
their disadvantages. That’s exactly what some TSI
engines do. They use a supercharger for low engine
revs and a turbocharger when it gets to higher revs.”
PACKS A PUNCH
The TSI engine is a bit like a short stick of
dynamite. It may be inconspicuous, but it
has enough ‘bang’ to burn up the road.
Engine size vs. output
KILOWATTS
75@5600
77@5600
TORQUE
148@3800
175@ 1550-4100
COMBINED FUEL CONSUMPTION
7.1ℓ/km
4.9ℓ/km
Volkswagen 39
TDI ENGINES ENSURE:
• Greater driving pleasure, excellent acceleration
values and above-average driving performance
• Direct injection with common rail systems and piezo
injectors for the most efficient injection pressures
• Multiple injection for optimised mixture formation and optimal
combustion processes
Volkswagen has moved from higher
• High overall efficiency through flexible injection times
capacity engines of 1.6 litres into lower capacity
• Exhaust gas turbocharger with variable turbine geometry
engines of 1.2 litres. Despite a smaller engine, it
for high charge pressures through the entire rpm range
still boasts a similar power output without adding a
• Effective offset of turbo lag
supercharger engine. It increases your car’s power and
• Superb engine output
provides this power at lower revs.
• Generous torque curve
Perhaps one of the best things about the TSI engine, is its
dislike of petrol stations. While you get a better performing engine,
fuel consumption is significantly lower, reducing CO2 emissions and
helping pave the way to a greener future.
AWARD-WINNING EXCELLENCE
Since TSI’s global launch, the revolutionary new Volkswagen 118kW 1.4 TSI
engine has earned its right as a champion. TSI has been awarded:
• Winner of the Auto Motor und Sport ‘Paul Pietsch Prize’
• ‘Innovation Award’ from Popular Science magazine
• ‘Best New Engine’ in the International Engine of the Year Awards 2006
• Winner of International Engine of the Year 2009
• Winner of Best Green Engine 2009
• Winner of Best Engine in the 1.0 to 1.4 litre category 2009 - 2012
Using twin-charging technology to optimise power and performance, and at the
same time reducing fuel consumption and emissions, it’s no surprise that a panel of
65 automotive journalists from around the world all agreed Volkswagen’s TSI engine
is not only the best engine in the world, but also the best engine for the world.
• Refined power development
• Comfort through smooth running
• Lowest consumption rates
• Considerable reduction of emissions
1.4ℓ VERSUS 1.6ℓ TSI
• Effective diesel particulate filters
When it comes to the 1.4ℓ 90kW TSI engine with twin-charging versus the 1.2ℓ 77kW
• High efficiency with greater power
TSI engine with turbocharger both have their advantages. The special concept behind the
• Long intervals between servicing
1.4ℓ TSI is the combination of direct petrol injection, dual-charging and downsizing.
or maintenance
With twin-charging, the engine is charged by a mechanical compressor and/or a
• Innovative and future-proof
turbocharger. Downsizing is replacing a large-capacity engine with a power plant with smaller
technologies with more
displacement and/or fewer cylinders. This reduces the internal friction and the fuel consumption
without the power or torque being reduced.
The 1.2ℓ 77kW TSI, on the other hand, replaces the 1.6ℓ 75kW engine with intake manifold
injection. Compared with the latter this engine achieves significantly better performance
with significantly reduced fuel consumption and therefore lower CO2 emissions.
TO NEW HEIGHTS
Thunderstorms, deserts and wilderness, the Highveld boasts some of the most
spectacular scenery and terrain but also some of the toughest. Volkswagen has
subjected the TSI engine to over 50 000 hours of torturous testing to ensure
maximum reliability. It also handles high altitude conditions with ease.
A naturally aspirated engine (no turbocharger) loses between 10% and
17% of its claimed power in high altitude conditions; this is especially
applicable to vehicles sold on the Highveld where altitudes range
from 1 500 metres to 2 100 metres above sea level. The air is
thinner at high altitudes therefore the airflow into the engine is
also less dense than at sea level, and less effective at burning
fuel. This means less power and torque.
VOLKSWAGEN’S TSI RANGE
GOLF 7
1.2 BMT 6spd Manual
75kW
1.4 TSI Trendline BMT 6spd Manual 90kW
1.4 TSI Comfortline BMT 6spd Manual90kW
1.4 TSI Comfortline BMT 7spd DSG 90kW
2.0 TDI Comfortline 5spd Manual
81kW
1.4 TSI Highline BMT 6spd Manual 103kW
2.0 TDI Highline BMT 6spd DSG 110kW
2.0 TSI Sport & Style DSG
155kW
GOLF VI CABRIOLET
1.4 TSI Comfortline
1.4 TSI Comfortline DSG
1.4 TSI Highline
1.4 TSI Highline DSG
2.0 TSI GTI DSG
1.4 TSI Highline man
2.0 TSI Sportline man
40 Volkswagen
90kW
90kW
118kW
118kW
155kW
118kW
155kW
BEETLE
1.2 TSI Design Manual
1.4 TSI Sport Manual
1.4 TSI Sport DSG
77kW
118kW
118kW
TIGUAN
1.4 TSI Trend & Fun 4x2 BMT
2.0 TDI Trend & Fun 4x2 BMT
1.4 TSI Trend & Fun 4x2 BMT
1.4 TSI Trend & Fun 4x2 BMT DSG
1.4 TSI Trend & Fun 4x4 2.0 TDI Track & Field DSG
2.0 TDI Sport & Style DSG
90kW
81kW
118kW
110kW
118kW
103kW
103kW
SCIROCCO
1.4 TSI Highline man
2.0 TSI Sportline man
2.0 TSI Sportline DSG
118kW
155kW
155kW
TOUAREG
3.6 V6 FSI Tipt
206kW
3.0 V6 TDI BMT Tipt
180kW
3.0 V6 TDI BMT Tipt with Terrain Tech180kW
4.2 V8 TDI Tipt
250kW
CC
2.0 TDI BMT DSG
2.0 TDI BMT DSG
2.0 TSI DSG
3.6 FSI V6 DSG 4Motion
125kW
130kW
155kW
220kW
JETTA
1.2 TSI Trendline
1.4 TSI Trendline
1.4 TSI Comfortline 1.4 TSI Comfortline DSG
1.6 TDI Comfortline
1.6 TDI Comfortline DSG
1.4 TSI Highline
2.0 TDI Highline
PASSAT
1.8 TSI Comfortline
1.8 TSI Comfortline DSG
2.0 TDI Comfortline
2.0 TDI Comfortline DSG
118kW
118kW
103kW
103kW
CADDY
1.6i Trendline
2.0 TDI Trendline
Maxi 2.0 TDI Trendline
Maxi 2.0 TDI Trendline DSG
75kW
81kW
81kW
103kW
77kW
90kW
90kW
90kW
77kW
77kW
118kW
103kW
T5
Kombi 2.0 TDI SWB
75kW
Kombi 2.0 TDI SWB
103kW
Kombi 2.0 TDI LWB
75kW
Caravelle 2.0 BiTDI
132kW
Caravelle 2.0 BiTDI DSG
132kW
Caravelle 2.0 BiTDI DSG 4MOTION 132kW
Kombi 2.0 TDI LWB
103kW
Kombi 2.0 TDI LWB DSG
103kW
T5 CALIFORNIA BEACH
2.0 BiTDI 4MTO
2.0 BiTDI 4MTO DSG
132kW
132kW
NEW POLO HATCH
Polo 1.2 TDI BlueMotion
Polo 1.4 TSI GTI DSG
55kW
132kW
NEW POLO SEDAN
Polo 1.4i Trendline
Polo 1.4i Comfortline
Polo 1.6i Trendline
Polo 1.6i Comfortline
Polo 1.6i Comfortline Tipt
Polo 1.6 TDI Comfortline
63kW
63kW
77kW
77kW
77kW
77kW
NEW CROSS POLO
Cross Polo 1.6
Cross Polo 1.6 TDI
77kW
77kW
NEW POLO HATCH
Polo 1.4i Trendline
Polo 1.4i Comfortline
Polo 1.6i Trendline
Polo 1.6i Comfortline
Polo 1.6i Comfortline Tipt
Polo 1.6 TDI Comfortline
63kW
63kW
77kW
77kW
77kW
77kW
POLO VIVO SEDAN
Polo Vivo 1.4 Base
Polo Vivo 1.4 Blueline
Polo Vivo 1.4 Trendline
Polo Vivo 1.4 Trendline Tipt
Polo Vivo 1.6 Base
Polo Vivo 1.6 Trendline
55kW
55kW
63kW
63kW
77kW
77kW
BMT – BlueMotion Technologies / DSG – Direct Shift Gearbox / TSI – Turbo Stratified Injection / TDI – Turbo Diesel Injection
POLO VIVO HATCH
Polo Vivo 1.4 2-dr Base
Polo Vivo 1.4 Base
Polo Vivo 1.4 Zest
Polo Vivo 1.4 BlueLine
Polo Vivo 1.4 Trendline
Polo Vivo 1.4 Trendline Tipt
Polo Vivo 1.6 Base
Polo Vivo 1.6 Trendline
Polo Vivo 1.6 GT
Polo Vivo 1.6 Maxx
55kW
55kW
55kW
55kW
63kW
63kW
77kW
77kW
77kW
77kW
TOURAN
1.2 TSI Trendline manual
2.0 TDI Trendline manual
2.0 TDI Trendline DSG
1.4 TSI Highline manual
77kW
81kW
81kW
103kW
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