New VW Polo GTI "Textbook Engine Downsizing" Yields 25% Reduction Of Fuel Consumption

Paul Niedermeyer
by Paul Niedermeyer
The benefits of gasoline engine downsizing has its latest poster child: the new Polo GTI. It’s a graphic example of why diesel market share in Europe is declining, especially in smaller cars: a 25% reduction on the European mileage standards, without any loss of performance. The GTI’s 1.4 liter TSI produces 177 hp (132kW), exactly the same as its 1.8 liter predecessor. But the combined fuel consumption is 5.9 L/100km (40 mpg US)—equivalent to CO2 emissions of 139 g/km, 25% lower than the outgoing model. Knowing that it also squirts to 100km (62 mph) in 6.9 seconds and comes standard with a 7 speed DSG transmission is only rubbing the wound of knowing it’s not coming to the US with salt. But undoubtedly, tightening CAFE standards will eventually send VW’s pioneering 1.4 and 1.6 TSI engines our way; the question is only in what body.VW’s small TSI engines are to gas engines what it’s also pioneering TDI engines were to the diesel world: a breakthrough in shattering assumptions of what small artificially-aspirated gas engines are capable of, in terms of both performance and economy. Due to its combination of supercharging and turbocharging, an semblance of turbo lag is history. The 177 hp Euro-5 16-valve four-cylinder engine reaches its maximum power at a relatively low (for such a small engine) 6,200 rpm. Maximum torque of 250 N·m (184 lb-ft) arrives at 2,000 rpm and stays at a constantly high level up to 4,500 rpm. The effect is to recreate the feel of a much larger normally aspirated engine without any of the typical detriments.Another graphic example of the narrowing gap of diesel and gas consumption is in the European Golf: two almost identically powered Golf VI versions: 140hp TDI – 5.4L/100km (43.56mpg); 160hp TSI – 6.0L/100km (39.2mpg). That represents a 10% difference. Meanwhile, the US version gas Golf slogs along with its antiquated 2.5 liter five that bumbles through the EPA test with a 26 combined rating.
Paul Niedermeyer
Paul Niedermeyer

More by Paul Niedermeyer

Comments
Join the conversation
2 of 25 comments
  • Wheatridger Wheatridger on Feb 24, 2010

    The US government is not going to force you to buy a VW or any other car, so drop that fear. But you won't have unlimited choices, either. You never have. It's increasingly hard for me to find cars with manual transmissions, but that's the fault of the market that prefers automatics. "I have found that enemy, and it is us." I'm sure there will be high-powered cars sold by somebody for a long, long time. I'm happy to see them get rarer and more expensive, though. My choice has always been to look for lower-powered models that still have excellent handling and braking. That's why I've done a lot of work on the suspension of my TDI Beetle, but the engine is stock. Hey, if 90 hp.140 lb ft. can pull me up the highest, steepest interstate in Colorado at illegal speeds, that's enough power, thank you. I hope that CAFE regs lead us in that direction. If not, there's millions of used cars out there, of every shape and size.

  • Robbie Robbie on Feb 24, 2010

    The declining share of diesel in Europe has nothing to do with technological development. Europe needs to tax gasoline; it would be unlivable if car use is not restricted in some way; and the way this is done is through gas taxes. Diesel is taxed less, because of the trucking lobby. However the relative price of gas vs. diesel is ultimately a decision of politicians. If everyone starts buying gasoline cars, surely gas taxes will increase up to the point where driving diesel becomes sensible again.

  • 1995 SC At least you can still get one. There isn't much for Ford folks to be happy about nowadays, but the existence of the Mustang and the fact that the lessons from back in the 90s when Ford tried to kill it and replace it with the then flavor of the day seem to have been learned (the only lessons they seem to remember) are a win not only for Ford folks but for car people in general. One day my Super Coupe will pop its headgaskets (I know it will...I read it on the Internet). I hope I will still be physically up to dropping the supercharged Terminator Cobra motor into it. in all seriousness, The Mustang is a.win for car guys.
  • Lorenzo Heh. The major powers, military or economic, set up these regulators for the smaller countries - the big guys do what they want, and always have. Are the Chinese that unaware?
  • Lorenzo The original 4-Runner, by its very name, promised something different in the future. What happened?
  • Lorenzo At my age, excitement is dangerous. one thing to note: the older models being displayed are more stylish than their current versions, and the old Subaru Forester looks more utilitarian than the current version. I thought the annual model change was dead.
  • Lorenzo Well, it was never an off-roader, much less a military vehicle, so let the people with too much money play make believe.
Next