As Volkswagen Group increases its focus on battery-electric cars, the automaker has given its Skoda brand responsibility for the future development of the group's EA 211 series internal combustion engines.
The engines will power 50 model lines across seven VW Group brands, including VW, Audi and Cupra.
Skoda is typically handed group responsibility for older automotive technologies or those focused on cost-conscious emerging markets. For example, the brand is in charge of developing drum brakes, as well as the MQB A0 small car platform, which is aimed at India and southeast Asia.
Skoda currently oversees development of naturally aspirated MPI versions of the EA 211 range but will now be responsible for turbocharged TSI versions as well.
The EA 211 TSI versions are available in three-cylinder and four-cylinder formats and range in size from 1.0 liter to 1.6 liters. They are used in mild-hybrid, plug-in hybrid and non-electrified models and are fitted in the bulk of VW Group's cars sold in Europe.