Flex Fuel for MQB Volkswagen GTI, Golf R, Jetta GLI / Audi A3, S3
COBB Flex Fuel for MQB Volkswagens is finally here! To say this is our most anticipated Volkswagen project in years would be the understatement of the century. Work initially began on this years ago and we could not be more excited to finally release it out into the wild. Available now is the ONLY emissions compliant, turn key, true Flex Fuel tuning solution for Volkswagen vehicles. Making up this release is new Accessport firmware, all new Flex Fuel Off The Shelf Maps, Power Packages with Flex Fuel hardware, and Accesstuner Pro updates allowing for complete custom tuning by a COBB Protuner. Hardware has been sitting on our shelves for nearly a year while we’ve worked through countless rounds of emissions testing and also improving the user experience for both our Protuners and end-users. At the end of it all, we believe we have created the best flex fuel solution for these cars. Our fulfillment team truly cannot wait to start shipping! Don’t worry – we’ll be sure to hit the hardware kit boxes with a Swiffer™ before they leave the dock. 😉
Vehicles Included
If you have a vehicle on the list below and appreciate the benefits of tuning with Ethanol and its potential, buckle up. It’s power makin’ time!
- USDM 2015-2021 GTI (MK7/7.5)
- USDM 2015-2019 Golf R (MK7/7.5)
- USDM 2019-2021 Jetta GLI (A7)
- USDM 2015-2020 Audi A3 (8V 2.0T)
- USDM 2015-2020 Audi S3 (8V)
Volkswagen Flex Fuel Power Packages
Flex Fuel is implemented as part of four new Stage Power Packages for the supported MQB cars. Each package includes the Accessport, Flex Fuel Sensor Kit, and a High Flow Filter. Everything you would need to add Flex Fuel to an otherwise stock car. The packages break out into two flavors of Accessport, with or without DSG/S Tronic tuning and by vehicles supported, either GTI/Jetta/A3 or Golf R / S3.
Flex Fuel Packages with Engine tuning only:
STAGE 1 + FLEX FUEL POWER PACKAGE FOR VOLKSWAGEN (MK7/MK7.5) GTI, JETTA (A7) GLI, AUDI A3 (8V)
STAGE 1 + FLEX FUEL POWER PACKAGE FOR VOLKSWAGEN (MK7/MK7.5) GOLF R, AUDI S3 (8V)
Flex Fuel Packages with Engine & Transmission Tuning:
For those of you who already have an Accessport an High Flow Filter, you only need the kit below in order to utilize our Flex Fuel enabled Off The Shelf Maps.
The Flex Fuel Upgrade Kit for VW/Audi vehicles makes adding Flex Fuel functionality to your vehicle and existing ECU a breeze. This kit consists of an ethanol content sensor with bracket, bespoke wiring harness, a fuse tap harness, quick connect fuel fittings, and a super slick ECU pin locator template and pin tool. We’ve bundled everything you need to get on corn in minutes!
This kit seamlessly integrates with the factory ECU and the provided pin locator tool takes the guesswork out of the equation. The OE quality ethanol content sensor is secured to a bespoke powder coated aluminum bracket. Fuel is then fed to and from the sensor with pre-made fuel line with OE quick disconnect.
The ethanol content sensor is mounted on the passenger side engine mount and instantaneously reads the ethanol level in the fuel multiple times per second before sending that to ECU to be used by an Accessport-delivered Flex Fuel calibration.
Off The Shelf Maps / Power Gains
Included as a part of this release is a set of COBB Off The Shelf (OTS) Maps that are specifically calibrated for use with the Stage 1 packages outlined above. All maps have been optimized for use with a completely stock fuel system, aside from the installed COBB Ethanol Sensor Kit. As such, they are configured to produce maximum power at an E30 blend. Any ethanol concentration beyond E35 will result in a custom COBB DTC (COB13) and a reduction in power. Reducing the ethanol content to E34.9, or lower, and resetting the ECU will clear the DTC.
OTS Maps Included
The below maps are exclusively available for download from the Maps Section of the COBB Website. They are NOT included in Accessport firmware and will need to be downloaded and loaded to your Accessport using Accessport Manager on a Mac or PC. Click HERE, configure your vehicle, and select the Flex Fuel Map for your desired base fuel type (91 or 93 octane pump fuel).
- Stage1+FlexFuel 91
- Stage1+FlexFuel 93
COBB Map Notes Pages
Our COBB Map Notes Pages provide additional information including parts required for each OTS map, its expected power output, and the revision history.
Map Notes for Mk7/Mk7.5 GTI, A7 Jetta / A3
Map Notes for Mk7/Mk7.5 Golf R / S3
Power Gains for Mk7/Mk7.5 VW GTI / GLI & 8V Audi A3
Power Gains for Mk7/Mk7.5 VW Golf R & 8V Audi S3
Compliance
Obviously a large reason for the timeframe to bring this product offering to market has to due with ensuring we are emissions compliant. When used with our supporting Off The Shelf Maps, the Stage 1+Flex Fuel Power Packages have demonstrated emissions compliance through testing at SEMA Garage. Flex Fuel Packages and OTS were tested and within limits as defined by the following federal testing procedures : FTP-74, FTP-75, USO6, SC03, HWFET.
Custom Tuning
Accesstuner Pro Custom Tuning
For those interested in custom tuning, our Accesstuner Pro software also now supports Flex Fuel tuning for these vehicles. Any of our Authorized Volkswagen Protuners can create a custom calibration for use with your Accessport. Find a COBB Volkswagen Protuner HERE.
The following tables have been added to supported vehicle definitions in Accesstuner Pro, allowing for complete, custom flex fuel tuning.
- Flex Fuel AFR Addition Table
- Flex Fuel AFR Ethanol Blend Percentage
- Flex Fuel Boost Cut Level
- Flex Fuel Ethanol Content Hold Boost
- Flex Fuel Ethanol Content Hold RPM
- Flex Fuel Ignition Adder
- Flex Fuel Ignition Ethanol Blend Percentage
- Flex Fuel Maximum Intake Manifold Pressure Set Point
- Flex Fuel Maximum Intake Manifold Pressure Set Point Blend Percentage
- Flex Fuel PUT Adder Ethanol Blend Percentage
- Flex Fuel PUT Adder Table
- Flex Fuel Sensor Conversion Table
- Flex Fuel Sensor Enable
- Flex Fuel Torque Adder Table
- Flex Fuel Torque Ethanol Blend Percentage
- Flex Fuel Torque Throttle Blend Percentage
- Manual Ethanol Content
- Manual Ethanol Content Switch
- Master Switch (Flex Fuel)
- Maximum Ethanol Content
- Maximum Ethanol Content (DTC)
- Threshold to Update MFF Value
Corresponding monitors have also been added to Accessport Firmware.
- Ethanol Content Read from Sensor
- Ethanol Content Used
- Flex Add AFR Target
- Flex Add Ignition Target
- Flex Add Torque Target
- Flex Boost Cut
- Flex Manifold Pressure Max
- Flex PUT Adder
- Flex Percent Add AFR Target
- Flex Percent Add Ignition Target
- Flex Percent Add Torque Target
- Flex Percent Manifold Pressure Max
- Flex Percent PUT Adder
I love my 2017 Mk 7 GTI running the Cobb Redline package set to Stage 2 on 91-octane, with a Cobb catback exhaust and an Integrated Engineering front-mount intercooler. Gasoline here in Portland, Oregon is 10% ethanol. Do you have an emission-compliant Stage 2 Flex Fuel package that will work for me? If so, what kind of performance benefits will I see? Thanks.
Hey Andrew! Our Flex Fuel Map offering is currently limited to cars that are otherwise stock (Stage 1+Flex Fuel). That said, you can absolutely use the provided Stage 1 Flex Fuel maps even with your intake and intercooler upgrades as they do not require specific tuning changes. They simply would not be taking full advantage of the upgrades. Having the car custom tuned would be your next best step.
Marshall@COBB