Another New Volkswagen 2.0T Debuts in 2018 Tiguan, Prepares to Replace 1.8T in Passat and Beetle

Complete with an alternate Miller Cycle that Volkswagen is calling the “Budack Cycle,” the German automaker has evolved its ubiquitous EA888 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine for installation in the second-generation 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan.

Horsepower? For a 2.0T, it’s rather unimpressive at only 184 ponies. But Volkswagen isn’t caught up in horsepower per liter figures. Instead, Volkswagen’s own introduction of this “Budack Cycle” 2.0T makes the company’s existing 1.8T — currently on duty in four product lines — sound downright ineffective.

Naturally then, Volkswagen won’t reserve the Budack Cycle EA888 2.0T solely for the 2018 Tiguan. According to Volkswagen of America communications manager Mark Gillies, “It will eventually supersede the 1.8T in the Passat and Beetle.”

From this we learn two things.

First, the EA888 Gen3B 184-horsepower 2.0T isn’t bound for the Golf and Jetta, the latter of which is due for replacement next year. Second, the existing Beetle that is oft rumored to be dead will clearly live — at least long enough — to see the installation of a new engine.

As for the EA888 Gen3B powerplant that will first appear in the Tiguan, it’s no powerhouse compared to the 2.0T in, say, the Volkswagen Golf R. There, Volkswagen’s 2.0T produces 292 horsepower.

But again, it’s not the displacement that matters as much to Volkswagen as the comparison with the 1.8T and the old Tiguan’s premium fuel-swilling 2.0T. Prior to official numbers being made available by the EPA, Volkswagen says the new 2.0T will consume less fuel than the 1.8T while producing 21 percent more torque: 221 lb-ft, 14 more than the old Tiguan’s old 2.0T.

Volkswagen says the additional torque is produced because this new 2.0T “closes the intake valves much earlier.” Along with prolonging combustion, this means “faster air flow for the incoming gases, which improves the mixing of the fuel and air.”

While the 2.0T produces only 14 more horsepower than the existing 1.8T, the peak pony output arrives at 4,400 rpm rather than 4,800. All 221 lb-ft of torque are accessible at a low 1,600 rpm.

At least for 2018, the new Tiguan’s powerplant offerings will be limited to the 184-horsepower 2.0T. Keep in mind, the two best-selling utility vehicles in its segment — Rogue and CR-V — don’t offer hi-po engine upgrades, either.

Timothy Cain is the founder of GoodCarBadCar.net and a contributing analyst at The Truth About Cars and Autofocus.ca. Follow on Twitter @timcaincars.