The XL1, which looks like an ugly cross
between a platypus and an automobile finally has something useful to
offer, apart from its slippery aerodynamics that is. Volkswagen’s
R&D chief Ulrich Hackenberg has just announced that a diesel
version of the Up! hatchback is in the works. The diesel engined Up!
will use a twin cylinder, 800cc TDI turbo diesel engine that will be
borrowed from the XL1 concept. This engine is basically a chopped unit
from the four cylinder 1.6 Liter TDI turbo diesel engine that a range of
Volkswagen group cars like the Vento and Rapid sedans use.
The 800cc turbo diesel engine, being a
twin cylinder unit, uses a crankshaft driven balancer shaft to keep
unruly vibes in check. The twin cylinder engine produces a peak power of
48 PS while peak torque is rated at a healthy 120 Nm, which will
provide decent pep for light weight entry level cars like the Up! and
the CitiGO. The hallmark of this small capacity turbo diesel engine,
Volkswagen’s smallest yet will be its high fuel efficiency. Expect the
Volkswagen Up! hatchback with the 800cc , twin cylinder turbo diesel
engine, a start-stop system and low resistance tyres to deliver over 25
Kmpl.
However, when the twin cylinder TDI
engine does make it to the Volkswagen Up!, it will be modified suitably.
Talking of which, we expect more power and torque to be squeezed out of
this motor to make for some perky performance. Yesterday, we did carry a
story of a compact SUV from Volkswagen, called the Taigun, which is
based on the Up! platform. While Volkswagen did announce a 1 liter turbo
petrol engine for the Taigun, the automaker left us all guessing
whether the compact SUV would get a diesel motor under the hood.
Team ICB went out on a wing and speculated that the 800cc TDI turbo diesel engine
from the XL1 could eventually make it to the Taigun. Now that the Up!
will get the 800cc diesel engine, there is a chance that the same motor
could be used on the Taigun as well. This, as the 800cc TDI turbo
diesel engine is said to be compatible with all cars based on the Up!
platform, which includes the likes of the Skoda CitoGO, the Seat Mii and
now the Taigun compact SUV. All in all, this is a very interesting
development indeed, a development that has the potential to make diesel
power widely prevalent even on entry level small cars.
My vw is fine super build quality but let down by little electrical gremlins and expensive maintanance. Better than any french rubbish you can buy I suppose. Thank you.
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