Innovation Engine: Audi's New 1.8 TFSI


donkeykong

Track Technician
Messages
3,723
Innovation Engine: Audi's New 1.8 TFSI

• Ample power and minimal consumption: 125 kW (170 hp) and
320 Nm (236.02 lb-ft) torque, but just 5.7 liters per 100 km (41.27 US mpg)
• New solutions in fuel injection and other fields of technology
• Fully electronic coolant regulation system


e1cc06b72e68f5aad5933b8f019637dc.webp

The engines in the updated A5 family set new standards for sportiness and efficiency. Even the base engine, the completely redesigned 1.8 TFSI, showcases the full extent of Audi’s technological competence. The engineers have developed innovative solutions in numerous fields of technology to achieve surprisingly strong performance with minimal fuel consumption.


The high-end four-cylinder engine displaces 1,798 cm3 and delivers a brawny and constant 320 Nm (236.02 lb-ft) to the crankshaft between 1,400 and 3,700 rpm. Peak output of 125 kW (170 hp) is achieved at 3,800 rpm. With a manual transmission, the 1.8 TFSI accelerates the Audi A5 Coupé from zero to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 7.9 seconds on its way to a top speed of 230 km/h (142.92 mph). Despite all this power, it consumes just 5.7 liters of fuel per 100 km (41.27 US mpg) on average, which corresponds to best-in-segment emissions of 134 grams of CO2/km (215.65 g/mile). Consumption has been reduced by 21 percent compared with the previous model engine.

Combustion behavior was a particular focus of the development work. In addition to FSI direct injection, the 1.8 TFSI also uses indirect injection. This system injects the fuel at the end of the intake manifold near the tumble valves, where it is swirled intensively with the air. Indirect injection is used in the part-load range. It reduces fuel consumption and particulate emissions to such an extent that the four-cylinder engine already complies with the limits of the future Euro 6 standard, which does not enter into force until 2015.

The rail pressure of the FSI system has been increased from 150 to 200 bar. The direct injection system is active when starting off and at higher loads. It can perform two or three individual injection operations per work cycle. To further optimize gas exchange, the valve control system has been given greater operating freedom. The Audi valvelift system, which adjusts the lift of the valves in two stages, is active on the exhaust side. The two camshafts can be adjusted through 30 or 60 degrees of crankshaft angle.

Fully electronic coolant regulation system
The innovative thermal management of the four-cylinder engine features a new fully electronic coolant regulation system. Two fast-switching, rotating cores, which are consolidated in a module and driven by an electric motor via a screw drive, control the flow of coolant. One of their primary objectives is to bring the motor oil up to operating temperature as quickly as possible following a cold start. This is done by keeping the coolant in the crankcase for a relatively long time. The cabin heating runs off of a separate loop in the cylinder head. The main radiator, which dissipates the heat to the environment, does not come into play until the latest possible moment.

The new rotating core module can set the water temperature between 85 and 107 degrees Celsius as a function of load and rpm to always achieve the best compromise between minimal internal friction and thermodynamic efficiency. Switchable valves throughout the cooling system manage heat flows between the engine, the heat exchanger for the transmission and the cabin. All together, the thermal management system reduces the CO2 emissions of the 1.8 TFSI by around 2.5 g per 100 km (4.02 g/mile).
This concept benefited from the integration of the exhaust manifold into the water-cooled cylinder head. Because this also reduces the exhaust gas temperature, it is not necessary with the 1.8 TFSI to enrich the mixture at full load, which reduces fuel consumption significantly when driving sportily.

The turbocharger in the 1.8 TFSI is also an all-new design that develops the high relative boost pressure of up to 1.3 bar very systematically. Key features include a turbine wheel made from a new alloy that can withstand exhaust temperatures of up to 980 degrees Celsius, the oxygen sensor mounted directly upstream of the turbine wheel, a pulsation damper, a compressor wheel machined from a solid blank and an electric wastegate actuator that adjusts the boost pressure particularly quickly and precisely to further reduce fuel consumption.

Engine weight has been reduced from 135 to 131.5 kilograms (297.62 to 289.91 lb). The new turbocharger/cylinder head module, a new casting process for the gray cast iron crankcase that reduces wall thickness to roughly three millimeters (0.12 in) and the crankshaft with four rather than eight counterweights and reduced main bearing diameters all contributed to this weight reduction. The pistons are made of new, high-strength alloy. Lightweight polymers are used for the oil pan, and many screws are made of aluminum.

Internal friction has also been drastically reduced by the use of an innovative coating on the piston skirts and by mounting the two balance shafts that counteract the second-order inertial forces in roller bearings. The regulated oil pump requires little energy itself, and the oil-jet cooling for the piston heads is controlled via a high-precision electric system.

Innovation Engine: Audi's New 1.8 TFSI
 
Great read, this is a proper technical press release without all the useless marketing bs.
 
320 Nm of torque from a 1.8L petrol, am I the only one impressed by this ? A tuning chip would easily increases it to about 350 Nm.

That's the torque level of a 2.0L turbodiesel.

Is this the first of new generation turbo petrol engines which will wipe off a diesel's advantage ?
 
320 Nm is very impressive no doubt but in light of the Benz 1.8T in the 250 CGI making just 10 Nm less for some time already it's just that little bit less remarkable.

What is amazing to me is that max power is up already at 3800 rpm and sustained all the way along to 6200 rpm. That's a 2400 rpm wide band delivering maximum power. I can't recall ever seeing one as wide as that. Imagine this engine coupled with the new 9 speed ZF auto in the new A3 - it's going to be a phenomenal real world performer.
 
320 Nm is very impressive no doubt but in light of the Benz 1.8T in the 250 CGI making just 10 Nm less for some time already it's just that little bit less remarkable.

What is amazing to me is that max power is up already at 3800 rpm and sustained all the way along to 6200 rpm. That's a 2400 rpm wide band delivering maximum power. I can't recall ever seeing one as wide as that. Imagine this engine coupled with the new 9 speed ZF auto in the new A3 - it's going to be a phenomenal real world performer.

A3 confirmed to receive the 9-speed ? Or possibly still the 7-speed S-Tronic which works with that torque.
 
It's not confirmed, I'm speculating based on a personal notion that DCTs will soon be the domain of sporting cars only. They are too heavy, too complex and lack the mechanical longevity of torque convertor autos. With the new 9 speed auto being developed by ZF for application specifically in the transverse layout I feel that there is no justifiable reason why Audi would continue to pursue DCTs in its lower-end mainstream models. The advantages are all in favour of the 9 speed in terms of fuel efficiency and better compatibility with stop-start systems.
 
Nice VW engine, not as good as the Beemer 1.6t though. Impressive C02 figures.:usa7uh:
 
Martinbo: Regarding the very low peak hp rpm we see on the new BMW and Audi engines, is this achieved by easing of on the boost vs. rising rpm, beyond this point? If so, they will prove to be a remappers dream.

Braaf: What makes you say this?
 
Say what?

That you prefer the BMW 1.6 engine. If we consider, the Audi seems much torquier holds (equal) peak power for longer and has lower consumption in a larger car - what do you prefer about the BMW engine?
 
That it's a BMW engine.:D Just ignore my ranting. The Audi or VW engine upgrades are really good. I wouldn't say that either are better cos they're very similar. My problem with Audi engine is that their claims are never live up to real world application.
 
The article at the beginning of the post states this 1.8L is one example of a range of new engines being introduced, does anyone know anything about these other engines because if there's a 3.0L version with similar improvements then I'm REALLY interested.
 
The article at the beginning of the post states this 1.8L is one example of a range of new engines being introduced, does anyone know anything about these other engines because if there's a 3.0L version with similar improvements then I'm REALLY interested.

I know that Audi is dropping supercharger from their current 3.0L T, and replacing it with turbocharger. Which is ironic because the supercharged 3.0L is outperforming even BMW's turbocharged six.

There is more limit with supercharging compared to turbocharging. Which is precisely why Merc is also dropping Kompressor.

I guess Audi's current supercharged 3.0L was an anomaly, a wonder in engineering which is to be short-lived.

Audi is preparing new turbocharged 3.0L and 4.0L which I guess will blow the competition.
 
Though this new engine looks to be top of the heap your statement of 'Blow the competition' are seriously strong words without any real information of either these turbo 3.0L and 4.0L engines to back it up don't you think?

But if it's true then I will be taking another look at Audi.
 
Though this new engine looks to be top of the heap your statement of 'Blow the competition' are seriously strong words without any real information of either these turbo 3.0L and 4.0L engines to back it up don't you think?

But if it's true then I will be taking another look at Audi.

The new 4.0L turbo will power the next gen Audi R8. I rest my case.
 
Martinbo: Regarding the very low peak hp rpm we see on the new BMW and Audi engines, is this achieved by easing of on the boost vs. rising rpm, beyond this point? If so, they will prove to be a remappers dream.

FC123, it's typical in such efficiency-oriented applications of turbocharging to assume that the turbo itself is quite small and, despite running at high boost pressure, will reduce in flow efficiency at high rpm. So, as the RPM increases so the turbo's pumping efficiency tails off... Nevertheless max power is sustained as a result of RPM being one of the multiplier variables in the calculation for power.
 
FC123, it's typical in such efficiency-oriented applications of turbocharging to assume that the turbo itself is quite small and, despite running at high boost pressure, will reduce in flow efficiency at high rpm. So, as the RPM increases so the turbo's pumping efficiency tails off... Nevertheless max power is sustained as a result of RPM being one of the multiplier variables in the calculation for power.

I know, but for it to tail of already at 3800 RPM, it would need to be very small indeed - of course it will be on the smallish side, but I still expect this engine to show some massive potential. The original 1.8 160HP is being taken to 230-240 HP on a remap alone - I would be surprised if this engine didn't hold even greater potential.

Consider this, stock the engine would produce 318.5 NM at 3800 RPM and 195 NM at 6200, it wouldn't need to go much higher at high RPMs for things to really start happening. :)
 
Can anyone post a comparo between this and the equivalent MB and BMW engine?.
 
It would be nice to know which turbo model exactly is used in that engine. If I recall correctly, the engine that is being replaced used a KKK K03 turbo, which is relatively small.

:t-cheers:
 

Audi

Audi AG is a German automotive manufacturer of luxury vehicles headquartered in Ingolstadt, Bavaria, Germany. A subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group, the company’s origins date back to the early 20th century and the initial enterprises (Horch and the Audiwerke) founded by engineer August Horch (1868–1951). Two other manufacturers (DKW and Wanderer) also contributed to the foundation of Auto Union in 1932. The modern Audi era began in the 1960s, when Volkswagen acquired Auto Union from Daimler-Benz, and merged it with NSU Motorenwerke in 1969.
Official website: Audi (Global), Audi (USA)

Trending content


Back
Top