[VeyronSuperSprt]

You are a petrol head. You've wanted V6's, dreamt about V8's, fantasised about V12's and blatantly drooled at the W16's. And you've always looked down at cars with 3 cylinder engines.

So now get ready to be shocked. For Audi is planning to introduce 3 cylinder engines for their A4'S and A6's in the next model.

The relevant extract:

Downsizing is the norm today to achieve greater fuel efficiency and reduce carbon footprint. Volvo for example announced that in future models, engine blocks would not exceed four cylinders, and BMW did the unthinkable launching three-cylinder engines on the MINI and the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer.

In a recent interview with a German magazine, Audi’s R&D head, Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg, said that future models of the A4 and A6 could feature three-cylinder engines.

Dr. Hackenberg did not rule out a three-cylinder engine later in the lifecycle of the next generation Audi A4 (which is scheduled to launch next year). The technical chief said that to begin with, technologies like cylinder deactivation will be introduced in cars like the A4 to improve efficiency and lower emissions. Later on, the company could introduce turbocharged three-cylinder engines on variants.

Models as large as the A6 could get a three-cylinder engine along with an electric drivetrain.

Dr. Hackenberg said that if an electric motor were to be combined with a three-cylinder engine, it could also be used on models larger than the A4, like the A6 for example.

Source: IAB

[E63]

Now that is what I call sacrilege.

It is one thing to target a larger audience, totally another to ruin your brand value.

[IshaanIan]

Good move according to me. It isn't as though they are only going to offer 3cyl motors so us enthusiasts can buy their better offerings.
Modern 3cyl offerings are pretty darn good. I have not driven a 3 pot from the likes of BMW or any other premium brand, but cars like a A-star already have them and they are pretty peppy. Power output will also be fairly satisfactory and the manufacturer won't be saving all that much in terms of production costs. Fuel efficiency is the only reason and why should we complain? The only downer is the NVH levels when they are revved and if we want to whine about that, then why not whine about diesels? Also, I'm pretty sure companies like Audi will provide sufficient levels of damping to ensure none of that noise gets to your ears.

[GTO]

Well, Mercedes & BMW are also working on 3-cylinder motors (link & link).

I'm unaffected by this news. Reasons:

1. Not too relevant to India. Here, the diesels account for an overwhelming majority of sales. The 4 cylinder diesels are too fuel-efficient for anyone to bother with chopping a cylinder off, and suffer the poor NVH. The Germans will continue offering 6-cylinder diesels in their premium models.

2. Even when it comes to petrols, you'll always have the 4 cylinder & up option. I'm not sure if these 3-cylinders will make it to India anytime soon.

Originally Posted by IshaanIan

Modern 3cyl offerings are pretty darn good.

They are, but 4 are superior in nearly every way. When you're spending over 20 - 30 lakhs, you don't want a compromise.

[VeyronSuperSprt]

Downsizing has already raised it's ugly head in India, not on account of manufacturer inclinations but on account of legislation introduced ostensibly to reduce carbon footprints in India.

Case in points are Ford's new Fiesta which came with the 1.5 Ti Vct engine instead of their standard fare, the 1.6 Duratec that does duty in the Fiesta Classic. Ford has also restricted the Diesel engine to 1.5L to avail of the concessions that come with limiting size to 1.5L. The new Fiesta justifies an engine with a lot more power given the sheer capability of it's chassis.

Another entrant into the downsizing arena is the VW Group that is doing away with their competent 1.6L diesels doing duty in the Vento, Rapid and GT TDI and replacing them with 1.5L ones.

While it's still early days, it looks like we are being given signs of what may follow.

Let's keep our finger crossed and hope it doesn't affect us too much.

[yogeshnagpal]

A better move should be something like Variable Cylinder Management for bigger sized petrol engines.

In a V6 petrol for example, at cruising speeds 3 cylinders shut off thereby increasing FE.


-Yogesh.

[Flyer]

Audi Three Cylinder Engine production starts in Hungary and will make it to the 5 small cars that Audi sells worldwide. The 1.0-liter gasoline engine delivering 63 and 85 kW (86 and 116 hp) is efficient and powerful.


Link