The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport come with one sole engine starting this year, replacing the previous generation 2.0-liter four and the 3.6-liter VR6. Here is significantly redesigned “Evo4” EA888 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and an 8-speed automatic transmission.
It produces 269 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque on regular unleaded fuel. For those doing the math, that’s an increase of 34 horsepower and 15 pound-feet of torque over the previous generation 2.0-liter engine.
The engine features a cast iron block and aluminum head. Chain driven dual-overhead cams both feature variable timing and variable valve lift on the exhaust side. A balance shaft helps to produce refinement and smoothness. Direct fuel injection pressure is increased on the new engine to 350 bar or 5,076 psi.
It has a relatively high compression ratio for a turbocharged engine at 9.6:1. Maximum boost pressure from it’s single-scroll turbocharger is 20.1 psi. Its boost pressure is controlled via an electronically controlled waste-gate and the aforementioned variable lift exhaust valves.
Following the airflow, the intake charge starts at the top of the radiator and travels directly into a relatively large air filter box at the front driver side of the engine bay. From there it travels back through a tube around to the rear of the engine and into the turbocharger.
From there it travels up front to an air-to-air inter-cooler mounted down low and then back up into a composite plastic intake manifold at the front of the engine. Atop the engine you can see all four of its spark plug coil packs easily accessible. Much of the direct fuel injection system is hidden from view but you can see the electric actuators for its variable exhaust valves at the top of the valve cover.
Once the combustion process is complete, gasses exit the cylinders through an exhaust manifold molded into the head and into the turbocharger at the rear.
Servicing the 2.0-liter engine is relatively straight forward, though there are some differences to point out. The sound cover does not need to be removed for most procedures. First, engine coolant can be found at the passenger side of the engine bay. The oil filler cap is at the top of the engine toward the passenger side.
The oil dipstick is not the most visible in the world, located at the front corner of the valve cover just ahead of the oil filler cap. The oil filter is also nicely located at the top and front of the engine a huge bonus.
Brake fluid is located at the rear of the engine bay at the driver side firewall. Just ahead of it is the sizable 12-volt battery. To its right you will find the engine computer and to its side the main fuse box at the far right.
The air filter box is easily accessed for a change out but you will need a Torx bit tool to open it up. Just ahead of it is the blue cap for the windshield washer fluid reservoir.
Looking ahead from behind you can see the radiator features dual electric fans. Always be mindful to watch your hands as they can start up even if the engine is turned off after driving.
