Audi A1 & A3 get 1.4 TSI with Cylinder on Demand

Audi is introducing cylinder on demand technology to the A1 and A3 with the launch of the 1.4 TSI CoD option in the UK. Price from £16,740.

Cylinder deactivation – or cylinder on demand – is a technology that’s been around on big engines for some time. After all, if you’ve got eight cylinders to play with you can make a decent fist of cruising round on just four if you’re not in a rush.

But now Audi is bringing cylinder deactivation to smaller engines with the introduction of their ‘Cylinder on demand’ technology on the 1.4 TSI engine fitted to the A1 and A3.

By deactivating two cylinders under low-load conditions – between 1400 and 4000rpm – you cut fuel use (and therefore reduce emissions) without any noticeable impact on performance.

Audi say the A1 with CoD can still get to 62mph in 7.9 seconds and the A3 in 8.3s (the A1 gets the seven-speed S tronic ‘box and the A3 the six-speed manual – although you’ll eventually be able to have either gearbox on the A1 and A3) with economy of around 60mpg.

That stacks up quite well against the 2.0 litre TDI’s 68mpg and 99g/km, although you will pay a premium of £850 over the equivalent model with the 1.4 TSI without CoD.

But the extra £850 is mitigated by the lower cost of fuelling and the reduced BIK charges, which save a 40 per cent tax payer up to£1,044 a year, so it’s a bit of a no-brainer for company car drivers.

You can have the new 1.4 TSI with Cylinder on Demand on the A1, A1 Sportback, A3 and A3 Sportback in SE, Sport and S line versions with prices from £16,740 for the A1 1.4 TSI to £24,050 for the A3 Sportback.