The other day I stumbled upon the news of a new Cooper S diesel.http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/News/Search-Results/First-Official-Pictures/Mini-Cooper-SD-2011-the-faster-diesel-Mini/

The performance figures look very similar to those of the mkI Fabia Vrs, so it looks like a decade later the rest of the automotive world has latched on to an idea that Skoda started and has since ditched. Do we think this will encourage a new Fabia Vrs diesel or possibly a Seat/VW/Skoda diesel clone?

the new ibiza has the 2.0l 140bhp diesel already in the fr

the new ibiza has the 2.0l 140bhp diesel already in the fr

Always wondered how much of match is it compared to a Mk1 vRS. On paper the FR should be faster and should handle better. A proper comparison would be good though.

i was side by side an audi 140 bhp a while back (mates) and we both booted it and the vrs was faster

i think its prolly down to emissions etc robbing the power

I wonder why Skoda binned off derv power for the VRS in favour of petrol... I guess petrol has more appeal to a wider market? You never know, they may drop the 2.0 CR TDI into the VRS one day and tune it up.

I wonder why Skoda binned off derv power for the VRS in favour of petrol... I guess petrol has more appeal to a wider market? You never know, they may drop the 2.0 CR TDI into the VRS one day and tune it up.

Cheaper to take an existing engine box combo from Polo/Ibiza and bung it in the Fabia.

Somebody said something about space in the Fabia too for the 2.0l diesel as it's effectively the same underneath as the mkI, but the Polo and SEAT are now on the later platform.

I believe the face lift fabia now has the new subframe.

I have read that VAG are rumoured of dropping the 1.4 TSI from the range, so the Fabia vRS may get a Diseasel, although I bet they well just replace it with a turbo petrol instead.

I have read that VAG are rumoured of dropping the 1.4 TSI from the range, so the Fabia vRS may get a Diseasel, although I bet they well just replace it with a turbo petrol instead.

Why would they drop the 1.4 TSI? Its a good engine

They will never give the fabia the 170 CR engine which is what it would need to compete with the 1.4 it already has.

Just Turboing the 1.4 would lead you down the same old problem of nothing nothing turbo gear.

The only way round that is variable vane and thats not cheap.

I can understand why they would not put the 170 CR engine in the Fabia (although it would be mighty nice if they did )

but surely they could use the CR 143 from the Ibiza FR could they not? I mean it doesn't necessarily have to compete directly with the petrol vRS

Edited 9 April, 201115 yr by Red Meat

the 1.4TSI twincharged engine costs a bomb to produce, from what i gather they are looking at a similar but more simple petrol equivalent with just a turbo.

i wouldnt worry about lag either, VAG are very good at choosing turbos to match their engines. If you want to experience LAG drive a VXR or jap car

the 1.4TSI twincharged engine costs a bomb to produce, from what i gather they are looking at a similar but more simple petrol equivalent with just a turbo.

Any sources for this? Interesting stuff.

Any sources for this? Interesting stuff.

a guy on seatcupra net who works for R&D for VW (allegedly). he seems adamant there is a more powerful 1.4TSi (twincharged) in the making at the moment for a Polo R.

The CR 140 isnt a particularly sporty engine. No diesel is really. Have a MK6 Golf GT with this engine and whilst its not slow its not a patch on the old PD unit from the MK5. Lack of low end grunt, terrible turbo lag and a very soft throttle response are its greatest problems in my mind. It also suffers as a result of ridiculously long gearing. The PD was much more enthusiastic and provided a much better all round driving experience despite its lack of refinement.

Have driven an Ibiza FR 2.0 TDi CR also and whilst its a bit quicker than my Golf on account of weighing considerably less its still not particularly quick or involving to drive and suffers the same inflictions.

The 1.4 TSi 180 engine provides much more performance in a much nicer manner which is befitting a hot hatch. With the Cooper SD, it will find niche appeal with those wanting half decent performance with cheap running costs but it will never be a patch on the 1.6 Turbo.