I just had a 1.2tsi Yeti as a courtesy car while my Fabia Mk1 2.0 was receiving attention. I am really impressed with this engine and in many ways it is like my 2.0, so I am likely to upgrade to a facelift Fabia when this engine is available in June.

There was one slight niggle however, and I wondered what experience others have had. There sometimes seems to be a lag of about 1.5 seconds after hitting the accelerator. It is more noticeable at lower revs, say below 2,500rpm. The 175Nm torque band is supposed to be 1,500-3,500rpm. Once it gets going though, it's very impressive for its size.

you'll find that issue with nearly any forced induction engine as with low engine revs you get relatively low boost

you'll find that issue with nearly any forced induction engine as with low engine revs you get relatively low boost

It seems to be a turbo lag issue. I have to wait for the boost while the engine is at pretty much the same revs. That is, the boost is definitely available at these revs - but it just takes time to spin up the turbo.

Is it not also, in laymens terms, a little engine and it takes a second or so for its little legs to get going? Once there though it seems to tick along nicely. If you want an instant response then the answer, presumably, is to get a more powerful engine. (the last sentence is not meant as a snappy answer, more a general point)

Edited 12 March, 201016 yr by Harvey1512

Presumably this is just a typical turbo characteristic in that the turbo rpm isn't directly related to engine rpm. I can imagine that if you brake sharply from higher rpm and then call for more power at 1500-2000rpm then the response is going to be sharper (because the turbo is still spinning reasonably fast) than if you approach 1500 slowly from below. I guess this is where the supercharger from the combination super and turbo charger of eg the 1.4TSi engine on the Golf 160GT scores because the supercharger element will always be spinning at useful and predictable rpm.

Presumably this is just a typical turbo characteristic in that the turbo rpm isn't directly related to engine rpm. I can imagine that if you brake sharply from higher rpm and then call for more power at 1500-2000rpm then the response is going to be sharper (because the turbo is still spinning reasonably fast) than if you approach 1500 slowly from below. I guess this is where the supercharger from the combination super and turbo charger of eg the 1.4TSi engine on the Golf 160GT scores because the supercharger element will always be spinning at useful and predictable rpm.

Yes, I think so. Turbos work best at high revs and superchargers at low revs. It is quite amazing that this engine gets such a boost at all at low revs. I guess it must have some dependence on the mass of exhaust gases as well as their speed.

Back to my original question, through, is about 1.5 seconds lag the same as what others are experiencing?

In my experience, what you feel it is not turbo lag, but rather the result of an electronic throttle mapping rather strange. I only happens in first gear, I have to press the accelerator a lot more than other brands to have a consistent starting point. The experiment at the crossroads: at first birth and it seems that the power does not arrive, but just put the second, also under torque, the pressure is very strong.

In my experience, what you feel it is not turbo lag, but rather the result of an electronic throttle mapping rather strange. I only happens in first gear, I have to press the accelerator a lot more than other brands to have a consistent starting point. The experiment at the crossroads: at first birth and it seems that the power does not arrive, but just put the second, also under torque, the pressure is very strong.

I agree, in the first gear it seems there is a lack of power.

I agree, in the first gear it seems there is a lack of power.

Advisory from the Skoda manual: Use first gear to travel no more then 2-3 lengths of the vehicle....

So...

Advisory from the Skoda manual: Use first gear to travel no more then 2-3 lengths of the vehicle....

So...

I read that to. It requires a change in my "driving attitude" though, untill now i find it a little tricky at crossings

It seems like a good engine and the torque comes in at 1500 rpm. I have posted a VW presentation video in the Fabia 2 section of the forum and they say they have worked hard to combat turbo lag. Might not be the turbo though: a lot of cars drive by wire throttles leave a lot to be desired for responsiveness. Looking forward to trying this motor though!

In my experience, what you feel it is not turbo lag, but rather the result of an electronic throttle mapping rather strange. I only happens in first gear, I have to press the accelerator a lot more than other brands to have a consistent starting point. The experiment at the crossroads: at first birth and it seems that the power does not arrive, but just put the second, also under torque, the pressure is very strong.

Although it seemed to me that first gear was worst, my experience was that the same thing happens in all gears. If I just cruise along in any gear and then step on the throttle, the delay is always apparent. Do other people have the same experience?

Although it seemed to me that first gear was worst, my experience was that the same thing happens in all gears. If I just cruise along in any gear and then step on the throttle, the delay is always apparent. Do other people have the same experience?

Absolutely not. The 1.2 TSI engine is incredibly ready, responsive, with a nice shot. In the other gears have never encountered delays of any kind. Indeed, I have to be careful determination of the accelerator is so readily.

Throttle mapping should be consistent in all gears surely? Also first gear would probably be very low with this engine ( not driven it) which would buzz the engine up rapidly. I have read elsewhere that this is a very free revving little motor??? Better off with the dsg maybe???

Just did a search on the Volkswagen Polo 1.2 TSI and they said fine punchy engine but does suffer from a soft initial throttle response.

Edited 13 March, 201016 yr by Matt Bodycombe

Absolutely not. The 1.2 TSI engine is incredibly ready, responsive, with a nice shot. In the other gears have never encountered delays of any kind. Indeed, I have to be careful determination of the accelerator is so readily.

Then maybe the one I drove needed some adjustment. Feedback from a few more owners would confirm whether this is typical or not.

i think the 7 speed DSG box sorts this issue out.

or have others have said, you need to changed your style of driving with the manual.

Soft initial throttle response is a consequence of ever tighter emissions legislation forcing the car to sort out the fueling of the car on take off. I first read about this in a road test of the original Fabia in Autocar magazine in 2000. We could always bring back throttle cables and carbs but the Eurobods would not like it.

Soft initial throttle response is a consequence of ever tighter emissions legislation forcing the car to sort out the fueling of the car on take off. I first read about this in a road test of the original Fabia in Autocar magazine in 2000. We could always bring back throttle cables and carbs but the Eurobods would not like it.

Duh! The car still takes off exactly the same - but 1.5 seconds later!

Throttle mapping should be consistent in all gears surely?

I'm not saying this applies to the 1.2, however on my other car torque is electronically limited in first gear, to avoid snatchy takeoffs and wrecking the gearbox ! It also has an "overboost" which gives you some extra headroom for overtaking (think 10 seconds ?).

Remember, the car knows what gear you are in these days !

I have no delay on mine - indeed, the takeoff in second from e.g. slowing when joining a roundabout can be a little startling at time !