What is the name of Audi's cylinder deactivation technology?

Audi’s cylinder deactivation technology is called cylinder on demand, commonly abbreviated COD. It temporarily shuts down part of the engine during light-load driving to reduce fuel consumption.

In a four-cylinder engine, cylinder on demand can turn off two cylinders; in a V8, it can deactivate one entire bank of four. The system cuts fuel injection and ignition to the inactive cylinders and closes their valves. When the driver demands more power, the cylinders reactivate within milliseconds.

The technology is designed for cruising and other low- to medium-load conditions, when full engine capacity is unnecessary. Keeping the remaining cylinders working at a more efficient load helps reduce pumping losses without requiring a smaller engine all the time.

MMI is Audi’s infotainment and control interface, TFSI describes turbocharged petrol direct-injection engines, and start-stop switches the engine off when stationary. None of those names refers specifically to cylinder deactivation.