Car Test
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R0333 | |
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See also
R0232
R0251
May 2003 |
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| Brief Test | Volkswagen Polo | |
| Printer Friendly Page | Featured model: 1.4 FSi SE 5-door | |
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We recently tested Audi’s A4 fitted with its latest 2.0-litre direct-injection petrol engine; this Polo is the only other FSi from the VW Group so far. This new technical development is going to proliferate, nevertheless, because of increasingly stringent tailpipe emission regulations.
The car makers are preparing for the next “tightening of the screw”, due to bite in two years time. To help them, the advent of sulphur-free fuel is imminent in the UK, and these FSi engines are designed to run best on such stuff. Nevertheless, any clag that builds up in the exhaust/catalyser on our present diet of 95 unleaded, is cleared by a computer-controlled purging cycle that does its job by periodic enrichment and raised combustion temperature. This means that our test car’s fuel economy, though 3mpg better than on the conventional 1.4/75bhp version, will achieve a further economy gain on the right diet – when it becomes available. As things stand, our rivals table demonstrates that this heavyish small car now puts the likes of Ford’s Fiesta in the shade, in terms of both acceleration and mpg, although the Japanese trio (Jazz, Yaris, Micra), all with similar power, will do as well. In terms of mechanical refinement, it’s marginally less subdued than the 75bhp version and our car’s tank-installed high-pressure fuel pump created a distinct chirrup when the accelerator was pressed firmly. The transition from weaker (stratified charge) fuel delivery mode, to enriched fuel injection (for more power), as you press the accelerator harder, is also evidenced by a slight ‘step’ in the engine’s response at times. It reminded us of that feeling as the second throttle plate opened on a Weber carburettor, twenty years ago! On the whole, though, no serious complaints; once the extra £385 is paid for the FSi version, there are useful fuel cost savings, as well as extra overtaking urge. Don’t overlook the lower CO2 emissions, either, which result in lower taxes, especially for the company car user, from next year. |
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