Audi Engines Explained: What Does TFSI Mean?

What is Audi TFSI?

TFSI stands for 'Turbo Fuel Stratified Injection'. It is the name Audi has given to its petrol engines, which use an innovative petrol engine technology. The technology has been around since 2004, and debuted with the Audi A3.

Some things in the automotive world are commonplace, such as a production car's model name nearly always appearing on the boot lid.

But in terms of Audi, you may have also seen the model on the nearside of the boot lid - such as A1, along with a number and 'TFSI' on the offside of the boot lid. The number indicates the size of the engine.

Contents

• How does TFSI work?
• What Audi models offer TFSI technology?
• Advantages of Audi TFSI
• Disadvantages of Audi TFSI
• Alternative engines to TFSI

How does TFSI work?

TFSI works by ensuring precise fuel distribution, whilst maintaining optimum combustion, along with also giving maximum engine power. This ensures the Audi models which use a TFSI engine can deliver impressive performance, whilst also offering low fuel economy.

Turbos have been used in recent times to improve performance and efficiency, and the TFSI engine does this too, with precise fuel injection.

What Audi models offer TFSI technology?

Audi models from the stylish entry-level A1, all the way up to range-topping RS models, such as the versatile RS 3 to the iconic RS 6 and sleek RS 7 feature TFSI engines.

Effectively, if the Audi is in question has a petrol engine available - as some models have engines available in diesel (TDI) too, then it will use TFSI technology, or FSI technology, which is slightly older technology used on previous Audi petrol engines.

The larger the number attached to TFSI, the larger the engine. Hence, why you will normally see 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55 and 60 alongside TFSI, expressing where the engine sits in the range, and giving indication to its power. Although, it is not as straightforward as you may think, as 25 TFSI does not mean the car has a 2.5-litre engine, for example. It is merely a ranking system, as engine sizes will differ depending on the model in question.

But usually, if you see a 25 TFSI, it will be a relatively small engine like that in the Audi A1, which will be a 1.0-litre, whilst a 60 TFSI is a much larger 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine.

Advantages of Audi TFSI

With anything, there are of course a number of advantages and disadvantages. The advantages of Audi TFSI engines include:

• Latest Audi petrol engine technology
• Perfect mix of performance and economy
• Higher compression ratios, which gives increased power and quicker acceleration
• Available on both petrol and hybrid models
• Can identify where the engine sits in the range

Disadvantages of Audi TFSI

And as with everything in life, as well as advantages, there are disadvantages to the subject in question, and so we have listed the disadvantages of Audi TFSI engines below:

• Naming can be confusing to some with the different numbers associated with engines, as a 30 TFSI does not mean it is a 3.0-litre engine.
• More complex than a traditional engine due to the cutting-edge technology, which may mean it could take longer to fix if an issue was found.

Alternative engines to TFSI

Audi do not just make petrol engines that feature TFSI technology. They also make a good deal of diesel, PHEV and fully-electric versions of their cars too.

As mentioned, Audi offer multiple engine choices in some of their models. For example, the Audi Q5 SUV can be specified with a '40 TDI' diesel engine, or a '45 TSI' petrol engine. Whilst the Audi A6 Saloon can be specified in a '40 TFSI' or '45 TFSI' petrol, along with a '40 TDI', and even a '50 TFSI e' - which is a plug-in hybrid variant, using a petrol engine and an electric motor.

And of course, there is a whole range of fully-electric Audi alternatives, specified by their 'e-tron' model names, such as the e-tron GT and Q4 e-tron SUV.

Find the right Audi, with the right powertrain at Stratstone Audi

Whether you are looking for a petrol, diesel, hybrid or fully-electric Audi, at Stratstone Audi, we offer superb examples from the entire range, whether you are looking for a used Audi, or brand-new Audi.

Contact your preferred Stratstone Audi retailer today if you require any help in finding your perfect Audi, or if you enjoyed this article, check out our dedicated blog section.