Tech: Volkswagen squeezes 268hp from a 1.0liter engine

Aside form previewing the latest Audi 2.0liter FSI engine, the Volkswagen Group also previewed a highly strung prototype 1.0liter engine for participants to see at the Vienna Motor Symposium recently. The engine is a very, very, very high-performance version of the 1.0-liter 3-cylinder TSI based on the EA211 engine.



For you readers, the standard EA211 engine is a 1.0liter normally aspirated engine that was first launched in 2012. It usually is found in the smallest Volkswagen vehicles like the Volkswagen Up! It usually has a 59bhp or 74bhp with 95Nm torque. But this prototype unit is capable of generating 272PS (268hp) and 270Nm (199lb-ft) of torque. This is due to a single scroll turbocharger (not a twin scroll due to size packaging I presume) and a e-booster. The E-booster is an electric compressor which is located between the induction system and the intercooler - From very low revs, when exhaust gas energy to drive the turbocharger is in short supply, a bypass valve shuts to re-route the air to the compressor helping out performance before boost comes on. It adds a few horses to the initial turbocharged setup and adds usable torque.

“A nice example of just how much potential combustion engines still have in them,” said Volkswagen Group Head of Powertrain Development, Dr. Heinz-Jakob Neußer. Of course, 268hp from a 1.0liter engine means tremendous forces put on it. It could be a couple of years before we see such an engine with realistic levels of performance and reliability entering production. I suppose we may see 125hp versions to power the Polo and even the Golf.  Downsizing. Or what Audi calls 'Rightsizing'.