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-   -   Driven: Audi A3 1.4L Petrol (2017 Facelift) (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/test-drives-initial-ownership-reports/185012-driven-audi-a3-1-4l-petrol-2017-facelift-2.html)

Crisp and comprehensive report of the facelift :thumbs up

Q3 30TFSI.

So the guess of 1.4TSI with cylinder de-activation coming to A3 was correct. With Audi's plans to have petrol engines in all their line-up, Q3 could be the next one to get the same engine, especially since units had been already brought in for homologation.

1.8TSI will see it's end soon in the Superb/Octavia also. I would be surprised if they launch the Octavia face-lift with the 1.8TSI instead of this 1.4TSI with Cylinder-on-demand tech. It makes more sense VAG India to plonk 1.4TSI across their MQB cars.

However it is disappointing that VAG doesn't seem to be interested in bringing in the 2.0TSI as a replacement for the 1.8TSI. I was expecting to see it in the Audi A3/Q3, which would also mean the engine trickling down into Superb/Octavia vRS at a later point of time.

I was extremely inclined in picking up the facelift version of A3, ever since I had seen the video's of the car with the virtual cockpit. I was upset that they skipped that in the india spec along.

Glad that I picked up the Octavia 1.8 tsi in top trim, as it has most of the features that the A3 comes packed with and moreover has more space than A3 and a more powerful engine and all this at much lesser price. :D

Could it be riding on the donut after the press drive? If you see above, there are no pictures where the Front Left tyre is seen. stupid:

No this cylinder deactivation is not going to be the same. Infact it will be seamless and not even perceived by the user. I have driven this kind of tech on V6 cars in US where they reduce to 3 cylinder mode and even there despite the imbalance you cannot even tell. Typically what I noticed is that cylinder deactivation happens mostly during cruising speeds where power is not required. Engine is already at a ~2K RPM so the refinement is not compromised. Idling time they will never deactivate. The only way I could tell it was being done was through the multi function display which would prompt 3 cyl active.

Could be that the tyre got punctured during the drive so they had to use a spare or some other tyre in emergency?

Just a thought.

Interesting point is can this cylinder deactivation be 'activated' through a ECU update/upgrade? Is is a purely ECU controlled set of parameters that 'switches' off 2 cylinders or is it a HW add-on too?

I should mention that I'm in Germany (so excuse me for mentioning the illegal speeds for India) and so the power output of 110kW or 150ps is good for Autobahn and can keep up with enthusiastic levels however more powerful engines of GTI and R models are for people testing their limits rather than vehicles.

But remember that peak numbers are for Super Benzin and so Indian fuel might not always let all the horses out of the stables with WOT.

I suspect it is the space saver.

It is not a simple ECU remap/upgrade to have the cylinder deactivation. As you can see in the below video, the hardware changes include having a variable 'valve lift' system also. Comparatively, the 1.4/1.8TSI in the Octavia sold in India has only a variable 'valve timing' system. I would expect the intake manifold also to be different than the regular 1.4TSI, not sure about it.

You can see the actuation of the solenoid causing the cam profiles of the 2nd and 3rd cylinder to change (where the cams actually slide over the the sleeved camshaft to a new position), without affecting the cam profiles of the 1st and 4th cylinder. In the new position, the cams are not actuating the intake or exhaust valves of the 2nd and 3rd cylinder and they remain closed (as per the animation). Not having to compress the intake air should further add efficiency gains than simply cutting fuel and spark to the 2nd&3rd cylinders.



1.4TFSI Cylinder on demand

I think this variation of the 1.4TSI will trickle down into the Octavia face-lift and Superb also (unless they wish to replace the 1.8TSI with 2.0TSI).

I doubt as it will dilute the GTI and R brand if that engine is used there. But anything can happen as VW is aggressively trying to resurrect the brand. We just ordered the 1.4 TSI 150ps Golf Mk7 (2016 model year), it drove like a dream.

I was referring to a case of the 2.0TSI being introduced in an Octavia vRS and Superb in its 220PS varaint sold abroad (of course it will be priced similar or more than the current 2.0TDI). Just wishful thinking :). However, going by the Audi launches, it will be highly unlikely and 1.4TSI is inevitable for maintaining the models' lower entry pricing.

Congratulations on the new Golf :)

Ok, confusing but here older and the new Octavia already has the 2.0TSI. I was thinking about India A3 getting a 1.4 but Skoda having a 2.0 on the normal car.

Yes the 2.0 is the new 1.8 TSI. Also 1.5TSI is the new 1.4TSI in Germany.

Thank you! the car comes home in Navratras even in Germany ;)

I should have been clearer earlier. I understand the case in EU. I live across the border :)

I was referring only to launches that may (or may not) happen in India. Was looking forward to seeing the 1.8 TSIs being replaced with 2.0TSI across the VAG MQB cars and having 1.4TSI for their entry level variants.

As I understand, in EU, Octavia mk3 face-lift has dropped 1.8TSI, same case for Superb mk3. Octavia always had 2.0TSI only in its vRS trim. Superb mk3 has a 220PS and a 280PS variant of 2.0TSI if I am not mistaken. With the upcoming Kodiaq bringing a 180PS variant of 2.0TSI, that is another tune of the engine, I guess in its lowest state.

The news of upcoming launches in India, like Tiguan/Kodiaq/New Passat/ proper Octy vRS etc, which have been running rounds since last year meant many of us were expecting the 2.0TSI to return to India's MQB/MLB cars. However the recent Audi petrol launches with only 1.4TSI variants is not pointing towards that wishful thinking.

Is it because India is a diesel dominant market and 2.0TSI even with its benefits will be only be an enthusiast’s car?

I test drove GTI and the power was abundant (did not suit my personal usage pattern so had to drop it with heavy heart), I am in awe of what R owners feel like every time they are let loose.

During transfer of my license from Indian to German I took a refresher driving school lessons and the car was 110kw (150ps) A3. It has plenty of oomph and prospective owners should be at ease of use of the car. The only thing I will mention is that the engine is happy with 95 RON fuel. I do not know how it will run on 91 RON or if 95 RON is readily available and if the company tuned it for conditions.

Yes exactly, many reasons. Mainly the petrol variants in India are usually considered cheaper than diesel variants, to maintain a trade off between cheap petrol cars + high fuel cost vs costly diesel cars + low fuel cost.

If the 2.0 TSI is introduced, then not only the engine itself is costlier (than the 1.8 TSI), the engine now belongs to the 1.5 - 2.0 category which attracts higher excise duty. So the petrol variants will be both more expensive to buy AND run. So hardly anyone (apart from the enthusiasts) will buy it.

The 1.4 on the other hand, will come in the 1.2 - 1.5 duty bracket. And the entry level luxury segment is very price sensitive. So pricing will be their main concern. But I wish they introduced THE 2.0 TSI, at least as an option. In fact, the petrol variants started making a comeback only in the last 1-2 years. Till then, for the last 3-4 years. Many models were not available in petrol at all.

I am saving up for my realisable dream car, the Octavia 1.8 TSI, hoping to buy it in another 6-7 years. But by the looks of things, the prospects seem grim. The recent trend is so saddening, I guess, in another 6-7 years, the Octavia will come with a 1.2 TSI :( I wish they don\'t touch the Octavia at all and leave it as good as it is.