VDub Polo 1.2 TDi CL - Princess Comes Home

[VipinLJ]

Once I had a tough chase with Figo in my Vista on Three lane NH-4. We both started from the toll both at the same time. from 0-80KMPH we both traveled equally. from 80-120KMPH Figo acceleration was fantasic. He leaded me some 30Mts.

Qudrajet took some time to reach 120Kmph from 80Kmph. Then from 120-140KMPH Qurdrajet overtook Figo & leaded.

all these happened on the straight three lane NH. I was at the middle lane, Figo was at the Right lane.

I agree, the acceleration of Figo is better than Quadrajet from 80-120KMPH. after 120+, Qudrajet Rocks

That might have been the case with me too. Here in Kerala, the speed limit on the highways is 70kmph (I know because I was fined Rs. 400 for doing 72kmph). The max I've done in the Polo is 130kmph. On the highways, I average around 80-90kmph because of the pathetic condition of the roads here and the traffic (Highways in kerala are like the city roads in other states). At these speeds, the Figo is in it's comfort zone and it does make it quite difficult to chase and overtake it in the Polo.
Like I said, I've driven the Punto 75hp quite a bit too. The bad thing about the Punto is that it feels underpowered compared to the Polo but the good thing is that it handles better and feels more stable and the brakes are much better (my Polo has pathetic brakes to be honest. The HL fares better because of the ABS).

I disagree bro.
I have nto driven Punto but I have heard praises abotu in gear acceleration and doing high speeds. Can't say further much about diesel polo coz I drive petrol.
I agree on polo's penitential of doing high speeds, I have done 140-150 effortlessly on expressways. To compare with punto, I may have to drive it myself.
Regarding swift, I am sure it can't do 140-150 as effortlessly as polo does.


As I said above I may have to drive one.
But regarding figo, the other day I got into short race and the guy gave good competition in straight lines but could not match the way I handled polo. He was in diesel by the way.

The Punto 75hp has pathetic acceleration (not in-gear. I'm talking about WOT) compared to the Polo. The Polo's 1.2TDI also revs more than the Punto's 1.3MJT though the Punto feels more refined. Top speed I'm not sure. The max I did on the Punto was a measly 80kmph (traffic and road conditions being the speed limiter). Overall, I kinda prefer the Polo to the Punto 75hp. The Punto 90hp might be in a different league altogether. I have no idea because I haven't driven one.

I have read in different threads that the Figo has very good acceleration in the 2nd and 3rd gear. That might be the reason for the good performance it showcases on the highways here.

 

[Rightnow]

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Like I said, I've driven the Punto 75hp quite a bit too. The bad thing about the Punto is that it feels underpowered compared to the Polo but the good thing is that it handles better and feels more stable and the brakes are much better (my Polo has pathetic brakes to be honest. The HL fares better because of the ABS).

I always thought that ABS come into force only on panic braking and rest of the time its just the normal braking action. Or may be its the front disc brakes that make it better in HL?

 

[VipinLJ]

I didn't understand what you meant when you said that maybe it's the front disc brake of the HL. All cars nowadays with the exception of the old M800 have front disc brakes. If you meant something else, I'm sorry. Could you clarify?
Regarding the ABS working only under hard braking. Yes. I think that is true but I can be wrong. ABS comes into play when the wheels are about to lock-up which can happen when there is a loss of traction like on slippery surfaces, hard braking etc. Whether it affects normal braking or not, I don't know.
One of the most disappointing things in my Polo is the poor brakes. There have been countless number of times when I wished the brakes where as good as in my Getz (I thought the Getz had poor brakes) or the Punto or even the Alto we had earlier. That's how bad it is. Plus the tyres lose traction really fast when you brake hard. Not at all confidence inspiring.

 

[Rightnow]

I didn't understand what you meant when you said that maybe it's the front disc brake of the HL. All cars nowadays with the exception of the old M800 have front disc brakes. If you meant something else, I'm sorry. Could you clarify?
Regarding the ABS working only under hard braking. Yes. I think that is true but I can be wrong. ABS comes into play when the wheels are about to lock-up which can happen when there is a loss of traction like on slippery surfaces, hard braking etc. Whether it affects normal braking or not, I don't know.
One of the most disappointing things in my Polo is the poor brakes. There have been countless number of times when I wished the brakes where as good as in my Getz (I thought the Getz had poor brakes) or the Punto or even the Alto had earlier. That's how bad it is. Plus the tyres lose traction really fast when you brake hard. Not at all confidence inspiring.

Oh I am sorry. I got confused somewhere on disc brakes. Forget it anyways.

I think that ABS will come into play only during panic braking, and rest of the times the brakes of one trim would act similar to any other trim. As per my experience I would not agree that polo's brakes are just average. I found them too good.

I am guessing here- did you not let the brake pads run-in during initial days? May be you used the brakes too hard frequently during the first few kilometers.

Tyres losing traction, not at all confidence inspiring- do not sound to be statements associated with polo. Please show the brake pads condition and alignment/balancing to workshop soon.

 

[VipinLJ]

As per my experience I would not agree that polo's brakes are just average. I found them too good.

I am guessing here- did you not let the brake pads run-in during initial days? May be you used the brakes too hard frequently during the first few kilometers.

Tyres losing traction, not at all confidence inspiring- do not sound to be statements associated with polo. Please show the brake pads condition and alignment/balancing to workshop soon.

The Polo's brakes are poor compared to the Punto and the Getz (like I said, we have all three cars so I know ). I don't remember how it was in the Swift that I drove. Coming to think of it, I don't remember how it was in the TD Polo that I drove too. I will be going to TD the GT this coming week so I'll check it out again. If it is a one off problem, I'll ask the service centre guys to check it when I give it for a check-up at the 10k kms mark.

Did I use the brakes too hard in the first few kilometers? Not that I can remember off the top of my head. We did go for a 600 kilometesr road trip three days after we bought the car and I did normal braking then. No specific hard brakings that I can remember.

Tyres lose traction probably because they are those pathetic Apollo Acceleres. I have Michelin XM1+ on my Getz and they are pretty awesome compared to the lowly Apollos. I don't remember what tyres are on the Punto.
The reason I said the Polo wasn't confidence inspiring was because of the pathetic brakes. I once had three well built guys and two normal sized guys in my car and I had to stand on the brakes to make my car stop from a speed of 40kmph (I almost had a heart attack because the car wouldn't stop when I applied the usual pressure on the brake pedal and I thought I would rear-end the car in front of me). I've had 5 extremely well built guys travel in my Getz some time back and the brakes could easily cope up with the excess weight.

I need to get the brakes of my Polo checked. All this just got me thinking. What if it is a one off case? All this while, I kept thinking that it probably is the same with the all Polos without ABS but now I'm not very sure. I'll keep you guys posted with the happenings.

Regards,
Vipin

 

[Rightnow]

The reason I said the Polo wasn't confidence inspiring was because of the pathetic brakes. I once had three well built guys and two normal sized guys in my car and I had to stand on the brakes to make my car stop from a speed of 40kmph

I have been in a same situation with three 100+ kg and two 70kg guys, and not even one incidence I remember I had to notice the braking behavior. In fact at end of the trip, one of the guys praised the car.

Get your brakes checked please, and wear & tear of tyres too.

 

[VipinLJ]

I have been in a same situation with three 100+ kg and two 70kg guys, and not even one incidence I remember I had to notice the braking behavior. In fact at end of the trip, one of the guys praised the car.

Get your brakes checked please, and wear & tear of tyres too.

Now you've got me worried. I will get the brakes checked asap. The problem is medical school doesn't leave me with much time for me to go get it all done. I hope I can give my car to the A.S.S sometime in the coming week.

 

[VivekRj.Dieselhead]

Hello people

Performance is also pretty decent and it can very easily keep up with, and overtake, the new Swift, Linea and Punto on the highway.

Mind it buddy, what you are saying is not correct just drive a punto or linea after 80kmph on the speedo, you'll definitely realize what have you said. And have a look at the link http://www.theautomotiveindia.com/f...alian-ride-fiat-punto-90hp-11.html#post282371 And this one as well http://www.theautomotiveindia.com/f...talian-ride-fiat-punto-90hp-8.html#post225106.

 

[VipinLJ]

Mind it buddy, what you are saying is not correct just drive a punto or linea after 80kmph on the speedo, you'll definitely realize what have you said. And have a look at the link http://www.theautomotiveindia.com/f...alian-ride-fiat-punto-90hp-11.html#post282371 And this one as well http://www.theautomotiveindia.com/f...talian-ride-fiat-punto-90hp-8.html#post225106.

Sorry. I was referring to the 75hp Punto. And the Linea. I'm not sure. It has all that weight to carry. I have easily overtaken quite a few Lineas on the highways here in Kerala where it's almost impossible to go above 90kmph. It might be a different story on the highways on other states. No idea.

 

[amippjpr]

Fiat's speedos are over optimistic compared to VWs, especially speeds above 80-90 so keep that also in consideration while comparing. BTW Fiat fanboys should also have their hands on the VW to realize that the VWs are not other Hyundais or Hondas. We are talking about a German car here. For the info, current generation Fiats are also based on German platform (opel small car platform), thats why they feel solid.

And about the performance, 75 hp Punto is more fun to drive compared to 90HP and has potential of mods since there are quite a few good remaps and tuning boxes are available for the 75hp version but nothing remarkable remapping option available for the 90 hp.

 

[VipinLJ]

And about the performance, 75 hp Punto is more fun to drive compared to 90HP and has potential of mods since there are quite a few good remaps and tuning boxes are available for the 75hp version but nothing remarkable remapping option available for the 90 hp.

Pete's has a remap for the Punto90 which bumps power up to 110bhp. There is someone who has done that but I don't think he's a member of this forum.
I wish there were remaps available for the Polo. I've read about tuning boxes which bump up power to around 90bhp and 2xx Nm torque but I don't think anyone has used that or tried getting a remap.

 

[amippjpr]

Pete's has a remap for the Punto90 which bumps power up to 110bhp. There is someone who has done that

I was talking about good effective remaps, did you try to see if that 90hp really gained something? That engine is already on its edge after having VGT, its hard to extract anything more by local tuning guys. 75 hp has more potential, rather if remapped well, it dusts the 90 hp very easily.

About the Polo remap, you should approach Pete's and should leave your query there. If they have bunch of seriously interested guys in enough numbers, they will speed up the the progress for Polo's remap. 1.2 TDI has potential for some decent mapping, Fabia is example of it.

Polo's turbo boosts out pressure around 21-22 psi, very few cars are there in which turbo boosts such pressure in stock condition. Most cars boost around 14-18 psi or 20 max. Talking about other local tuners is worthless for VW engines.


People tend to criticize the cars or engine just by hearsay, otherwise this 3 pot 1.2 TDI is much better engine compared to many out there once it warms up and driven at above 1800 RPMs, most people don't even rev the engine above 3-3.5K considering its diesel but this 1.2 TDI shows its reall character after 3.5K. Try to rev it between 3.5k to 5K and see it . Only Hyundai CRDI seem more free revving and refined engine compare the the 1.2 TDI.

 

[VipinLJ]

People tend to criticize the cars or engine just by hearsay, otherwise this 3 pot 1.2 TDI is much better engine compared to many out there once it warms up and driven at above 1800 RPMs, most people don't even rev the engine above 3-3.5K considering its diesel but this 1.2 TDI shows its reall character after 3.5K. Try to rev it between 3.5k to 5K and see it . Only Hyundai CRDI seem more free revving and refined engine compare the the 1.2 TDI.

Yup. Hyundai CRDI engines are very refined. I think Hyundais are under-rated cars. Recently drove the fluidic Verna and I liked it except for the dead steering. But lovely car and good levels of refinement. Suspension was slightly wonky at high speeds though. If Hyundai could get their suspension and steering sorted out, they'd have an almost perfect car.

The Polo TDI engine revs very freely compared to the MJD engine. I agree with you on that. Also, the Polo actually has good performance. Before I got the Polo, I used to see almost all Polos driven very sedately and I thought it was because the engine was pathetic. Only now have I realised that none of those people were using the engine to it's potential which was why the car seemed slow.

 

[VivekRj.Dieselhead]

Sorry. I was referring to the 75hp Punto. And the Linea. I'm not sure. It has all that weight to carry. I have easily overtaken quite a few Lineas on the highways here in Kerala where it's almost impossible to go above 90kmph. It might be a different story on the highways on other states. No idea.

Overtaking is altogether a different story buddy, most of the times i also drive sedately and let the people overtake, but on yamuna expressway hardly 2 cars overtook me one was a Accord 2.4 and another was a captiva (doing above 200), but it was really hard for accord to overtake.
I have been to yamuna expressway nearly 10-12 times till now.

 

[VipinLJ]

Overtaking is altogether a different story buddy, most of the times i also drive sedately and let the people overtake, but on yamuna expressway hardly 2 cars overtook me one was a Accord 2.4 and another was a captiva (doing above 200), but it was really hard for accord to overtake.
I have been to yamuna expressway nearly 10-12 times till now.

I was following a Linea that was trying to overtake a very long trailer. The Linea was spewing black smoke from the exhaust which indicated that the guy was accelerating hard (because it was not spewing smoke earlier when we were driving sedately). I was right behind the Linea when we did the overtaking manoeuvre (I made sure that everything is clear, obviously). I had the accelerator buried only half way and when I stepped on the throttle a bit more, I went a bit too close to the Linea which was still spewing black smoke (I was in 5th gear at that time). I hope you understand what I'm trying to say.
After we finished overtaking, the Linea went back to the left lane and I easily overtook him and kept accelerating till he was a speck in the mirror.

And two of my friends have Linea MJDs. I've tried dragging with both of them in my Polo and till 80kmph, they could not catch up with me. Don't know about after that because we ran out of road.

I'm not saying that the Linea is a slow or a bad car. Never. All I'm saying is that the Polo is actually a decent performer.