Turbocharged Direct Injection

Turbocharged Direct Injection (acronym: TDI) is the technology used to describe and name modern turbocharged diesel engines produced by Volkswagen Group, and widely used in all marques of passenger cars and light commercial vehicles produced by the company (particularly those sold in Europe).

Overview
The engine uses direct injection, where a fuel injector sprays admite fuel directly into the main combustion chamber of each cylinder, rather than the pre-combustion chamber prevalent in older diesels which used indirect injection. The engine is coupled with a turbocharger to increase the amount of air which can get into the engine cylinders, and an intercooler to lower the temperature (and therefore increase the density) of the air from the turbo, thereby increasing the amount of fuel that can be injected and combusted. These, in combination, allow for greater engine performance (from a more complete combustion process compared to indirect injection), while also decreasing emissions and providing more torque than its petrol engined counterpart. Similar technology has been used by other companies but "TDI" refers to these Volkswagen Group engines. Normally-aspirated engines (those without a turbocharger) made by Volkswagen Group use the label Suction Diesel Injection (SDI). The reduced material volume of the direct injection diesel engine reduces heat losses, and thereby increases engine efficiency, at the expense of increased combustion noise. A direct injection engine is also easier to start when cold, due to more efficient placing and usage of glowplugs.

History
The first Volkswagen Group TDI engine was a 2.5L inline five-cylinder introduced in the Audi 100 in 1989. The TDI arrangement has been enhanced by improving the efficiency of the turbocharger, increasing the pressure at which fuel can be injected, and more precisely timing when the injection of fuel takes place. There have been a few major generations, starting with what are known as "VE" engines. In 2000, the Pumpe Dse (PD, variously translated "pump nozzle", "unit injector", "pump injector") engine began to appear in Europe, eventually coming to North America a few years later. The PD design was a reaction to the development of common rail fuel injection by competitors - an attempt by Volkswagen Group to create an in-house technology of comparable performance that would not require any royalties to be paid. While PumpeDse engines had a significantly higher injection pressure than older engines, they are not a match with the very latest common rail, and weren't able to control injection timing as precisely (a major factor in improving emissions). New engines appearing in 2009 model year Volkswagens are using the common-rail technique with piezoelectric injectors.

Motor racing

A racing version of the common rail TDI engine made an impact in 2006 when it was used in the Audi R10 TDI, which won the 12 Hours of Sebring and 24 Hours of Le Mans, becoming the first diesel-powered car to win either of those races. Fuel economy was a significant factor as the car didn't have to refuel as often as others in the race. The car used a special synthetic diesel from Shell as fuel. Direct injection turbodiesel engines are frequent winners of various prizes in the International Engine of the Year Awards. In 1999 in particular 6 out of 12 categories were won by direct injection engines: 3 were Volkswagen, 2 were BMW and 1 Audi. Notably that year the Volkswagen 1.2L TDI beat the Toyota Prius to win "Best Fuel Economy" in its class.

Fuel
TDI engines, like most diesel engines, can run on petrodiesel or B5, B20, or B99 biodiesel subject to manufacturers prior approval. In fuel efficiency, and clean emissions when run on biodiesel or when converted vegetable oil (which should NOT be used on the later PD engines without prior conversion, since irreparable damage will result), TDI engines are among the best on the market. This is often overlooked because they do not drive on petrol. A 2007 Volkswagen Jetta 1.9L TDI with 5-speed manual, for example, achieves 5.2 L/100km (54 mpg UK or 45 mpg US) on the European combined-cycle test while a DSG automatic reaches 5.9 L/100km (48 mpg UK or 40 mpg US). Newer TDI engines, with higher injection pressures, are less forgiving about poorquality fuel than their 1980s ancestors. Volkswagen's warranty does not cover damage due to bad fuel (petrol or bio) and has in the past recommended that only mixtures up to 5% biodiesel (B5) be used. VW has recently permitted mixes up to B20, and has recommended B5 be used in place of 100% petroleum-based diesel because of biodiesel's improved lubricating properties. No. 2 diesel fuel is recommended since it has a higher cetane number than No. 1 fuel and has lower viscosity (better ability to flow) than heavier fuel oils. Some owners in North America, where cetane levels are generally poor (as low as 40), use additives or premium diesel to get cetane numbers closer to the standard levels found in the European market (at least 51) where the engine is designed. Improved cetane reduces emissions while improving performance and may increase fuel economy. New low-sulfur petroleum-only diesel recipes cause seals to shrink and can cause fuel pump failures in TDI engines; biodiesel blends are reported to prevent that failure.