New TSI engine adds power and punch to Volkswagen range

Volkswagen is replacing its 1.6-litre FSI petrol engine, which is popular across the Golf, Golf Plus, Jetta, Eos and Passat ranges, with a new 1.4-litre TSI unit to deliver more power and torque with reduced fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

Based on the original award-winning 1.4-litre TSI engine which combines a supercharger and a turbocharger to produce an impressive level of power from a small capacity engine, the new unit uses simply a sophisticated turbocharger. The result is an output of 122 PS – up from 115 for the 1.6-litre FSI engine it replaces – linked to a choice of six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG gearbox.

Torque is also increased substantially by nearly 30 per cent from 155 Nm (114 lbs ft) at 4,000 rpm to 200 Nm (155 lbs ft) delivered from 1,500 to 3,500 rpm. The new engine also brings fuel saving benefits: the combined consumption on the Golf hatch, for example, has increased from 42.2 mpg for the outgoing 1.6-litre FSI to 44.8 mpg for the new 1.4-litre TSI. Carbon dioxide emissions are also reduced from 161 g/km to 149 g/km (139 for new DSG option).

Volkswagen’s innovative new transverse seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox will be offered with this unit. Production for the DSG version will start at the beginning of 2008, while manual models are available to order now. The new unit will carry a retail premium of around £150 over the current 1.6-litre FSI; this rises to £175 for the Passat Saloon and Estate models, where the moderate price rise includes the addition of an autohold function for the parking brake which was previously a £50 option.