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TSI Maximum power with minimum consumption

Our award-winning TSI technology offers you great performance with excellent fuel economy and low emissions.

Performance and economy

When you drive one of our TSI cars you don't have to choose between performance and economy. TSI engines offer an enjoyable and involving drive, while cutting fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Because TSI engines are cleaner, you'll also save on car tax. So they have a smaller impact on the environment, are kinder to your pocket - and, best of all, they're great fun to drive.

What is TSI?

TSI is our pioneering technology for petrol engines. TSI engines are compact, high-powered and use less fuel. TSI technology blends the best of our TDI diesel and FSI (Fuel Stratified Injection) engines.

How do you benefit?

You enjoy excellent driveability and outstanding fuel economy. Acceleration is instant, whichever gear you're in. So overtaking is safer and you can power smoothly up hills with no delay. TSI technology is available on an increasing number of our cars, from Polo to Passat.

The TSI story

The challenge

As responsible car makers we wanted to make our petrol engines even cleaner and more efficient, while still being fun to drive. Our aim was to create engines that used less fuel and produced lower CO2 emissions without sacrificing power.

The solution our engineers came up with was both elegant and ingenious: an engine that combines petrol direct injection and turbocharging, and in some cases twincharging - a turbocharger and a supercharger working together. The TSI engine was born.

The effect is to combine the benefits of both petrol and diesel power units: smooth and quiet on the road, TSI delivers high torque - pulling power - throughout the acceleration range with little discernible turbo lag.

The successful formula

The successful TSI formula combines a number of different elements:

Smaller engines

At the heart of TSI is a smaller engine. It's more efficient, as there is less power loss resulting from friction. It's also lighter, so the engine has less weight to shift in the car.

Direct petrol injection with charging

Direct petrol injection is combined with a turbocharger or charge compression with a turbo and a supercharger working in tandem. This enhances the engine's combustion efficiency so the TSI engine power output is much higher than that of conventional, naturally aspirated engines.

Torque when you want it

On the TSI 1.4 160PS the engine-driven supercharger operates at lower revs, with the turbocharger - powered by the exhaust gases - joining in as engine speed rises. The supercharger is powered via a belt drive directly from the crankshaft. This provides maximum pulling power on demand, even at very low engine speeds. TSI engines are designed to deliver maximum torque from engine speeds as low as 1500 or 1750 rpm. And that has the twin benefit of not only increasing your driving pleasure but also cutting fuel consumption.

Latest developments

We never stop refining our TSI technology. Some of our latest ideas for the 1.4 122 PS include:

More ways to save weight

These range from a lightened cylinder head cover and a weight saving per camshaft to the refined design of the cylinder head itself.

Optimised fuel mixture

A new injector with six fuel bores for electronic direct injection helps achieve this. The injector jets have been realigned to give more efficient distribution of the fuel mixture in the combustion chamber.

Charge-air intercooling

The turbocharger has a water-cooled intercooler with a low-temperature circuit independent of the engine cooling system. As a result we've cut the volume of the charge air system by more than half, allowing a high charge pressure to build up much more quickly. This gives improved dynamics because it reduces the time it takes to achieve maximum charge in the combustion chambers.

Awards for TSI

International Engine of the Year awards

Our pioneering technology has impressed motoring experts from across the world. Our 1.4-litre TSI Twincharger engine has won the 1-litre to 1.4-litre category of the prestigious International Engine of the Year Awards for five years running and was voted the International Engine of the Year and Best Green Engine in 2009.

The jury for this award is made up of 65 motoring journalists from 32 countries. At the 2009 Awards, the jury said: "Volkswagen not only attained an overall victory, but also won the `Best Green Engine' award. This shows that driving fun and fuel efficiency can certainly be unified in one package."

Dr Rüdiger Szengel, Head of Volkswagen Petrol Engine Development, commented on TSI: "Their combination of reduced displacement, direct injection and intelligent engine boosting enables top dynamic performance while keeping emissions and fuel consumption low. Winning awards in three key categories is really a compliment to our development team. TSI engines are genuine trendsetters."

WhatCar? Car of the Year Awards

WhatCar? has chosen the Golf 1.4TSI as its Small Family Car of the Year for every year from 2009 to 2012, commending it in unambiguous terms: 'the 1.4 TSI is punchy, but keeps running costs low. It’s also very smooth, which contributes to the Golf’s exemplary refinement'.

Article source: www.volkswagen.co.uk

VW Beetle review by Top Gear

At least now there's a good and interesting alternative to the Mini. Any euphoria with this version should last.

  • Comfort

    On normal suspension and 18-inch wheels it picked up far too many surface imperfections. You can't get the Beetle with the Golf's clever adaptive damping - well, we can't have the Beetle outperforming the halo GTI, can we?

    Rated 5 out of 10

  • Performance

    You'll be able to get it with the 2.0-litre TFSI engine out of the Golf GTI, only in the Beetle it produces a slightly lower output of 197bhp and 206lb ft. Other engines will be available, from the brilliant 1.2 TSI to a 1.6 diesel with Bluemotion tech. We only got a chance to try the top 2.0-litre, but reassuringly it's still as smooth as ever. There's plenty of punch in all the gears so 0-62mph only takes 7.5secs.

    Rated 6 out of 10

  • Cool

    Better than before to be seen in, but still not really cool.

    Rated 5 out of 10

  • Quality

    Inside, there's a nod to retro - the weird glovebox, the body-coloured dash plastic, the pulley grab handles - but mostly it's stock VW parts bin switches. Weirdly, though, some of the plastics feel cheap and that glovebox is especially poor. Flimsy stuff, and not what you expect from Volkswagen.

    Rated 6 out of 10

  • Handling

    The steering is more precise and, because of the wider track, there is an impressive amount of grip. But don't go thinking you'll be getting a cute Golf GTI - the Beetle doesn't have quite the precision of the Golf. It's just not as crisp.

    Rated 6 out of 10

  • Practicality

    The Beetle isn't practical, because the sloping tail cuts out rear seats and boot space. But at least the rear seats fold. And the cabrio doesn't lose boot space when the roof folds, because it just sits on top like a rucksack.

    Rated 4 out of 10

  • Running costs

    It's available with a 1.4-litre TSI and a 2.0-litre diesel and petrol - that diesel returns 57.6mpg and emits just 129g/km of CO2. 

    Rated 8 out of 10

 

Article source: www.topgear.co.uk

Volkswagen tees up new Golf for first customer orders

 

The seventh-generation Volkswagen Golf opens for ordering today, with prices starting below those of the previous model, at just £16,285* (RRP OTR) and rising to £24,880.

 

The latest Golf is lighter, safer, more advanced, more spacious, more efficient and better equipped than previous generations of Europe’s best-seller, of which over 29 million have been sold – some 1.6 million of these in the UK.  From launch, the Golf is available in the UK in three trim levels: S, SE and GT (GTI and BlueMotion models join the line-up in 2013).  Four petrol engines and two diesel engines are available, in either three- or five-door form. 

 

The petrol engine range starts with a four-cylinder 1.2-litre TSI unit producing 85 PS, rising via a 1.2-litre TSI 105 PS and a 1.4-litre TSI 122 PS motor to the 1.4-litre TSI 140 PS with Active Cylinder Technology, which is capable of 60.1 mpg (combined cycle) and 110 g/km (with DSG gearbox), thanks to the ability to deactivate two cylinders under light loads.

 

The diesel engines at launch are a 1.6-litre TDI 105 PS and a new 2.0-litre TDI 150 PS unit.  Both feature the latest common rail diesel technology for maximum efficiency.  All new Golf models – both diesel and petrol – come with a Stop/Start system as standard, along with battery regeneration.  Gearboxes are a mixture of five- and six-speed manuals, and six- and seven-speed DSG units, depending on the engines’ power and torque outputs.

 

All Golf models come with seven airbags, including a driver’s knee airbag, five three-point seatbelts, ABS with ESP, XDS electronic differential lock and Isofix preparation for two rear child seats.  The entry-level Composition Media system includes a 5.8-inch colour touchscreen, DAB digital radio, a CD player, MDI interface (for connecting iPod or MP3 player), Bluetooth telephone preparation and audio streaming and eight speakers.  Also standard is ‘Climatic’ semi-automatic air conditioning, among a host of other features.

 

Moving from S to SE trim brings an outstanding range of features, including standard ADC Automatic Distance Control with Front Assist and City Emergency Braking, which can even bring the vehicle to a complete halt if necessary, a Driver Alert System, PreCrash preventative occupant protection, Driver Profile Selection, rain-sensitive wipers, an automatically dimming rear-view mirror and dusk sensor (automatic driving lights). 

 

The GT model comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, front fog lights, ‘Cherry Red’ rear light clusters, heat-insulating dark-tinted rear glass, electrically foldable door mirrors with puddle lights, and front and rear parking sensors with visual display.  Inside are gloss black inserts, Alcantara and cloth sports seats, LED reading lights, ambient lighting and the Discover Navigation media system with 5.8-inch colour touchscreen.

 

Options include high beam assist, lane assist, park assist, ACC adaptive chassis control, a rear-view camera, Discover Pro navigation system with eight-inch colour touchscreen, keyless entry and a panoramic sunroof.

Volkswagen Retailers begin taking orders for the new Golf today, 19 October, with first deliveries due from the car’s official on-sale date of 7 January 2013.  For full details, see the price list.

Article source: www.volkswagen.co.uk

Volkswagen Passat review by Topgear

The Volkswagen Passat is a well-behaved and well-built car with lots of room and perceived quality. But it's as boring as a three-box saloon ever was.

  • Comfort

    There's plenty of space in the Volkswagen Passat and it slips down the road quietly, and this ride is the real calling card.

    Rated 7 out of 10

  • Performance

    VW Group engines range from the 1.4-litre TSI to the 207bhp 2.0-litre Sport and 2.0-litre diesel with 167bhp. That last engine manages to sprint to 62mph in 8.6 seconds while still returning 61.4mpg.

    Rated 7 out of 10

  • Cool

    The Passat, especially with the current generation's sightly ornate styling, is pretending but not quite managing to be classy. Not a cool place to be.

    Rated 5 out of 10

  • Quality

    The old-generation Passat was famously superb in cabin quality, but this one doesn't really move the game on. Still, against increasingly over-complicated rival interiors, the Passat's classic simplicity has an appeal.

    Rated 7 out of 10

  • Handling

    The Passat's road manners are respectful but a bit dull. The basic underpinnings are related to the enjoyable Golf's, but it shows its extra weight as a numbness and slight slow-wittedness.

    Rated 6 out of 10

  • Practicality

    The Passat saloon is big and has a bigger boot, with through-load. But there's nothing here beyond class norms.

    Rated 6 out of 10

  • Running costs

    A Passat will be worth more than most mainstream rivals when you trade it in, and that will shave down your running costs. Other costs, like CO2 and long-interval servicing, are more than competitive.

    Rated 7 out of 10

 

Article source: www.topgear.com

VW Up review by TopGear

It's good, the Up. Good enough that the facelifted Panda will have to have raised it's game several notches to match it, good enough to give the entire city car class a real shake up. You didn't expect any less, did you?

  • Comfort

    That smooth ride marries an interior that has been lovingly worked over: the ergonomics, seating, layout, design and texture are all top notch, and there's a genuine feeling of space inside the cabin.

    Rated 6 out of 10

  • Performance

    The Up gets an all-new, all-alloy three cylinder petrol engine in two flavours: 59bhp and 74bhp. It dispenses with the balancers shafts, and VW has worked hard to remove as much harshness from the three-pot as possible. The higher-spec one rumbles along with a reasonable verve, though it doesn't like to revved too much. 

    Rated 5 out of 10

  • Cool

    It's simplicity should be key here, so as long as there aren't too many trinkets, yes.

    Rated 5 out of 10

  • Quality

    VW city cars aren't famed for their build quality - we're looking at you, Fox - but this one feels well screwed together and lovingly crafted. 

    Rated 7 out of 10

  • Handling

    A measure of handling sharpness appears to have been sacrificed for a smooth ride. Steering's a bit soft and it's not as nimble as an Aygo or as eager as James May's favourite, the Panda, but it is very polished.

    Rated 6 out of 10

  • Practicality

    Despite being smaller than a Panda, it's got a bigger boot (250 litres) and there's actually room for humans and their associated limbs inside, without the need for driver and passenger to become unnecessarily closely acquainted. 

    Rated 7 out of 10

  • Running costs

    The 74bhp model returns 65.5mpg and both engine variants emit under 100g/km of CO2, so running this thing will be cheap. Plus, if VW can keep that entry price hovering around £8,000, the initial outlay shouldn't be too onerous either.

    Rated 5 out of 10

Article source: www.topgear.com

More Articles...

  1. VW Tiguan review by TopGear
  2. Volkswagen Scirocco review by Top Gear
  3. Win tickets to see Paul Weller in session at Abbey Road Studios in association with the Volkswagen Beetle
  4. Beetle Cabriolet prepares to make world debut at La Auto Show

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VW Specialist London Blog