Scoop: Audi A3 Facelift Getting New 1.8 TFSI with Cylinder on Demand Tech

The Ingolstadt people are soon going to retaliate with a facelift for the car they introduced in March of 2012. It will debut sometime in 2016 and should bring noticeable cosmetic changes.

However, our sources within the company tell us that a brand new type of engine will be added across the entire model range, from the 3-door hatch to the cabrio. It was Audi's job to engineer the 1.8-liter turbo with 180 PS in order to fit all MQB cars. These range from the SEAT Leon to the Skoda Octavia Scout, so the A3 needs something to outshine its brothers. A 1.8 TFSI model with COD will thus be launched.

COD – what kind of disease is that?

COD is short for Cylinder on Demand. Also known as Active Cylinder Timing, this tech made its debut with the VW Polo BlueGT and is also available on the Golf and A3, but only with the 1.4-liter turbo engine producing 150 PS.

However, the A3 will be the first car to use it in combination with a 1.8-liter engine, which may also have its output increased from 180 to 190 PS. Even though customers will pay about €1000 extra, the fuel savings are going to be noticeably.

COD works by shutting off the two middle cylinders when the engine is working under light loads. As you will see in the video below, the cylinders themselves still move, but their fuel supply is cut.

We don't know precisely what effect this will have on the A3's fuel bills, but here's what VW says about the Polo model: "Shutting down the second and third cylinders during low and medium load states reduces fuel consumption in the EU driving cycle by about 0.4 l/100 km. For urban driving, it saves as much as 1.0 l/100 km. Even while driving at 70 km/h in fifth gear, fuel consumption of the Polo BlueGT is reduced by 0.7 l/100 km."