I drove a base Polo 1.2 TDI last week, the four cylinder 75PS version. Although the engine was tight it was sooooo slow. The engine finally got a bit of puff together around 2,000 rpm but it had zero zing generally. The old 1.4 TDI 80 three pot felt far more powerful and enthusiastic. However, this new 1.2 TDI is a quieter engine and on 15" wheels it's a nice ride. But the engine is a dour, spiritless thing. Very little character. Avoid.

I drove a base Polo 1.2 TDI last week, the four cylinder 75PS version. Although the engine was tight it was sooooo slow. The engine finally got a bit of puff together around 2,000 rpm but it had zero zing generally. The old 1.4 TDI 80 three pot felt far more powerful and enthusiastic. However, this new 1.2 TDI is a quieter engine and on 15" wheels it's a nice ride. But the engine is a dour, spiritless thing. Very little character. Avoid.

thanks for that, i've just got my partner a new car and the polo tdi was on of the options. We chose a aygo in the end. Cheers for the info though.

I thought the 1.2 diesel was a 3-pot? (its the new 1.6 TDI with a cylinder missing)

I thought the 1.2 diesel was a 3-pot? (its the new 1.6 TDI with a cylinder missing)

Ooh! It could be a three pot! But it felt fairly smooth even though it was absolutely frigging anaemic.

This engine has just made it into the Fabia, fitted to the Greenline II (Estate only); noticed this in the new June brochure.

Regards,

TP

Ooh! It could be a three pot! But it felt fairly smooth even though it was absolutely frigging anaemic.

That's interesting. Do you remember how many miles it had on the clock?

That's interesting. Do you remember how many miles it had on the clock?

Just 500.

i wonder how it compares to the 1.2 12v 70bhp in terms of performance, both have similar bhp and i doubt the 1.2 tdi will have much more torque by the sounds of it

i wonder how it compares to the 1.2 12v 70bhp in terms of performance, both have similar bhp and i doubt the 1.2 tdi will have much more torque by the sounds of it

The TDI 1.2 is fractionally quicker on paper according to the brochure, 0-60 of 14.3 secs IIRC, and around 180 Nm torque (which is a little less than the 1.6 TDI 75bhp).

Whether it's more flexible than the 1.2 70bhp petrol is another matter. The other issue is price: the Greenline's list price is over £13,700.

Edited 11 June, 201016 yr by helix

Imagine this gutless engine yoked to even higher gearing. Doesn't bear thinking about. Unless you spend most of your driving life sitting at 60mph on the flat and lightly loaded.

Edited 11 June, 201016 yr by Adrianh1