Grille test: Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI (103 kW) DSG Highline

ACT stands for Active Cylinder Management. Why in the abbreviation T and in the explanation of support (management) is not clear. Sounds better? Well, buyers of a 1,4 TSI Golf won't care about the extra labels, they'll opt for them mainly because of the promising 140 horsepower or very commendable figures in terms of standard fuel consumption, but also because combinations of both. The figure for combined standard consumption is just 4,7 liters of petrol, which is already a value we attribute more to turbodiesel engines. And should this new Volkswagen engine with active cylinder mounts ensure that modern car engines continue to meet increasingly stringent consumption and emissions regulations?

Of course, there is a significant difference between normal consumption and real consumption. This is exactly what we can blame manufacturers for, including misleading customers with consumption figures that are too low, since the measurement of the norm has little to do with reality. However, it is true that the reality of the car - at least when it comes to fuel consumption - is highly dependent on how you drive or press the accelerator pedal. This has been proven by a tested sample.

In our Golf, how we press the pedal can even depend on whether the engine is running on four or only two cylinders - the active cylinders. If our foot is “undemanding” and the pressure is softer and more even, a special system shuts off the fuel supply to the second and third cylinders in a very short time (from 13 to 36 milliseconds) and simultaneously closes the valves of both. cylinders firmly. The technology has been known for a long time, from English it is called a cylinder on demand. At the Volkswagen Group, it was first used in some engines for Audi S and RS models. It is now available here in a large scale engine and I can write that it works surprisingly well.

This Golf 1.4 TSI is great for long journeys, such as on motorways, where the accelerator pedal can usually be quite monotonous and soft, or the cruise control takes care of maintaining a constant (set) speed. Then many times on the center screen between the two sensors, you can see the save operation notification with only two cylinders running. The engine in this state can run from 1.250 to 4.000 rpm if the output torque is 25 to 100 Nm.

Our consumption was not as radically low as Volkswagen promised in its standard data, but it was still surprising because in completely normal driving (on normal roads, but not at speeds over 90 km / h) even an average consumption of 5,5 , 100 liters per 117 km. On the previously mentioned longer motorway trip (more or less consistently using the maximum permissible speed and an average of about 7,1 km / h) the result of an average of XNUMX liters should not be bad. Well, if you are less forgiving of this Golf, forcing it to run at higher revs and trying to squeeze as much power out of it as possible, it can consume a lot more. But in a way it also seems good, everyone can choose their own style, and there is no need to choose different engines.

Thus, Golf 1.4 TSI is able to save, of course, on fuel. However, to be able to do it on your own for a few years, you still have to dig a bit in your wallet. Our subject worked below the line with an initial cost of just under 27 thousand. The sum at first glance seems quite large, but in addition to the “miracle engine”, the “laziness” of the driver on the attractive red (extra charge) test car contributed to the “laziness” of the DSG driver with two clutches, and the Highline package is the richest choice in Golf. Among what had to be paid were a number of interesting extras, which also accounted for almost six thousand more than the final price: a headlight package with bi-xenon headlights and LED daytime running lights, a Discover Media radio navigation system, cruise control with automatic ("radar") safety control Distance Control (ACC), reversing cameras, PreCrash active occupant protection systems, ParkPilot parking system and reversing camera, ergoActive seats and Dynamic Chassis Control with Drive Profile Selection (DCC), etc.

Of course, there are many of these accessories that you don't need to buy to get nearly the same driving pleasure (don't cross the seats and DCCs off the list).

As the stupid saying goes: you have to save, but let it be worth something!

The proven Golf follows this very river.

Text: Tomaž Porekar

Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI (103 kW) DSG Highline

Basic data

Sales:	Porsche Slovenia
Base model price:	21.651 €
Test model cost:	26.981 €
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Acceleration (0-100 km / h):	9,4 with
Maximum speed:	212 km / h
Mixed flow ECE:	7,5l / 100km

Technical information

engine:	4-cylinder - 4-stroke - in-line - turbocharged petrol - displacement 1.395 cm3 - maximum power 103 kW (140 hp) at 4.500 rpm - maximum torque 250 ​​Nm at 1.500–3.500 rpm.
Energy transfer:	the engine is driven by the front wheels - a 7-speed robotic gearbox with two clutches - tires 225/45 R 17 V (Pirelli P7 Cinturato).
Capacity:	212 km/h top speed - 0-100 km/h acceleration in 8,4 s - fuel consumption (ECE) 5,8/4,1/4,7 l/100 km, CO2 emissions 110 g/km.
Mass:	empty vehicle 1.270 kg - permissible gross weight 1.780 kg.
External dimensions:	length 4.255 mm – width 1.790 mm – height 1.452 mm – wheelbase 2.637 mm – trunk 380–1.270 50 l – fuel tank XNUMX l.

Our measurements

T = 22 ° C / p = 1.150 mbar / rel. vl. = 33% / odometer status: 8.613 km
Acceleration 0-100km:	9,4s
402m from the city:	17,0 years ( 137 km / h)
Maximum speed:	212km / h (WE.)
test consumption:	7,5 l / 100km
Braking distance at 100 km / h:	40m
AM table:	40m
Test errors:	problems with checking the pressure in the front right tire

evaluation

• Golf remains golf even if you choose different equipment than most Slovenian clients would like.

We praise and reproach

engine and fuel consumption

chassis and driving comfort

space and well-being

standard and optional equipment

workmanship

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