From the start of 2012, Volkswagen's latest efficiency technology, a cylinder shut-off system will debut in the 1.4 litre TSI engine.
Volkswagen is the first manufacturer to implement cylinder shut off on a four cylinder TSI engine in high-volume production. The high-tech system's main goal is to reduce fuel consumption dramatically by shutting off two of the four cylinders temporarily under low to medium loads. The cylinder shut off reduces fuel consumption of the 1.4 litre TSI by 0.4 litre per 100km in the NEDC driving cycle. In combination with Start/Stop functionality, savings total around 0.6 litres per 100km.
The best results come from constant moderate speeds. In third or fourth gear savings can amount to 1 litre per 100km. This technology will fulfil the EU6 emissions standard.
Cylinder shut off is active between when the 1.4 TSI's engine speed is between 1400 and 4000 rpm and torque is between 25 and 75Nm, nearly 70% of of the driving distance in the EU fuel economy driving cycle. if the driver accelerates with sufficient force, cylinders 2 and 3 are imperceptibly reactivated. The system uses a sensor in the accelerator pedal to detect the mode of driving. A non-uniform pattern - such as during roundabout traffic - will result in the shut-off functionality being suppressed automatically.
