The chase to reduce polluting emissions and increasingly environmentally friendly engines are shifting public opinion on electrification, whether partial or complete, and the deadline of 2035 imposed by the EU is only a sign of this more tangible. But, objectively, reality cannot be lost sight of and today petrol or diesel engines still have exceptional performance, especially the latest generation ones.
For example, Volkswagen has announced the arrival of the latest development of its petrol engines, namely the 1.5 TSI evo2 which brings with it an efficiency never achieved before. The cleaner engine from the Wolfsburg house will be introduced initially on the latest version of the T-Roc compact SUV and its open-top variant T-Roc Cabriolet, before finding its way aboard numerous VW group models.
Four-cylinder Turbo-petrol From 150 to 272 Hp
The TSI evo2 turbo engine is a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 150 HP, identical to its predecessor. However, VW has stated that further variants will follow, suggesting different powers. In the plug-in hybrid version, the 1.5 TSI evo2, in combination with electric motors, can deliver up to 272 hp. The engine is also designed to be compatible with “alternative fuels”, probably referring to the TGI version fueled by methane. VW has not yet specified the emission and fuel consumption reduction values compared to the previous 1.5 TSI, however, they will certainly be high.
High Tech, Low Emission
On a technical level, several changes have been made, among which noteworthy is the shifting of the three-way catalyst and particulate filter into a single emission control module closer to the engine. This reduces the use of precious metals in production and allows the four-cylinder to comply with stricter emission standards in the future, such as Euro 7. The Active Cylinder Management system has been updated with the new ACTPlus, improving the activation and deactivation of the two cylinders when full power is not needed.
In addition, the combustion process in the two-cylinder mode has been optimized and can now run for extended periods. The Miller cycle engine uses the same TSI-Evo combustion process as its predecessor, but the cooling of the combustion chamber has been improved. Finally, turbocharging is entrusted to a VTG variable geometry turbocharger, a high-pressure injection system, and pistons with integrated cooling ducts.
The New Engine as Seen by the Manager
VW board member responsible for technical development Thomas Ulbrich said: “The 1.5 TSI is a fundamental pillar of the Volkswagen engine range as it powers many models around the world, from the T-Cross. to the Passat Variant. We have continuously improved the compact four-cylinder. It now offers significant advantages in terms of fuel consumption and a very dynamic response ”.
It should be remembered that the 1.5 TSI engine family, codenamed EA 211, has existed since 2012, with the Evo generation appearing in 2016 and the new evo2 following at the end of 2022. A range that ten years after the debut of the original it is still in full shape thanks to the continuous technological evolution to which it is subjected. And Volkswagen builds over four million of these engines a year in eleven different plants.
