Comments on: VW tops Engine of the Year awards

By: Lynton

Lynton — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 01:26:27 +0000

People who are worried about reliability of Turbo’s need not. I have owned from new a Nissan 200SX R Spec Turbo I have done 215,000kms with no problems with scheduled services, so stop worrying about reliability!!
The Germans win on technology, refinement and quality, that is what they do best and there is certainly nothing wrong with any of the Golf range being suitable for Australian conditions other than being a submarine in the wet, wet?? in my opinion…a well deserved and honourable score.

By: Nia

Nia — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 06:51:07 +0000

Check out the 24 hour Le man’s record for the most wins by Porsche 16 times. Audi won 2008, 2007, 2006 and 2005 now that’s German engineering. They may not be good in sending men to the moon but they sure can build cars.

By: Sana

Sana — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 17:50:08 +0000

yes vw is the best

By: MisterTwo

MisterTwo — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 01:04:07 +0000

Oneill3, you did not read Observer’s post. It was not the invention of the turbo charger being quoted, it is the combination of the turbo and supercharger on the same engine which is being attributed to the Italians.

By: Swagger

Swagger — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 07:40:46 +0000

VW Freak Says:
June 19th, 2009 at 7:39 pm – Hey Golfy, that might not be the best engine to recommend to old skoolers – don’t forget those old 202 reds have a tendency to blow pistons to a million pieces. I remember accelerating hard in mum’s HJ many years ago, to merge onto a highway, next thing BANG! goes number 4! – What a complete load of crap.

By: Elitist

Elitist — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 01:40:15 +0000

Cool,nice engine but i wonder how it would fair in prolonged,hot dry and dusty outback conditions????Do they have deserts in germany???Maybe one for the latte sucking city folk.

By: Elitist

Elitist — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 13:36:35 +0000

WOW…Germans and Japs but no Americans or Aussie engines.

…Man..Im soo suprised…

By: charles

charles — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 12:42:28 +0000

I`m not sure where the technology originated from but the one thing I do know is, the Germans have certainly perfected it.

By: Neo Utopia

Neo Utopia — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 10:14:09 +0000

In the Golf 5 GT brouche it states the engine has been tested to last at least 300,000 kilometres, a respectable number for such a high force inducted little engine.

By: charles

charles — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 06:18:41 +0000

Just Brilliant, well done VW.

By: jerry

jerry — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 06:04:15 +0000

@AAA
A tweeny bit of fuel savings? come on fella. The 1.4 twin charger puts out the same power and torque of a 2.5L natural. A natural 2.5 will use 8.5-9L/100klm, the VW uses 6.3-6.5 (depending on use of DSG or not). From a VW point of view, a 2.5 uses around 40% more fuel to do that 100klm.

Valid point about cost of replacing chargers though. VW ownser can opt for the additional optional warranty – making a total of 6 years/175000 klm. Although, lets not forget, this same engine has been around since it was put in the Golf GT 4 years ago – haven’t heard any inherent problems so far.

Jerry

By: Allergic To Nuts And Missiles {} {}

Allergic To Nuts And Missiles {} {} — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 04:18:01 +0000

Could I slot one of these straight into the back of a VW Beetle ?
Now that would be fun.

By: Reckless1

Reckless1 — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 23:30:43 +0000

I’m waiting for VW to apply the twincharger to the 2.0 engine and plonk it into the GTI. K04 or next size Turbo with the supercharger should provide 300kw and 600nm ….

Come on VW – DO IT…

By: oneill3

oneill3 — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 13:16:30 +0000

Observer Says:
“But lets not forget that it wasn’t the Germans that invented this technology but the Italians (Fiat Group) back in the mid eighties which first used this clever configuration to produce the most outrageous rally car of all time”

Before you go making bold statements you should check your facts. I found this after a 2 min search on wikipedia, “The turbocharger was invented by Swiss engineer Alfred Büchi. His patent for a turbo charger was applied for use in 1905.[1] Diesel ships and locomotives with turbochargers began appearing in the 1920s.

The first production turbocharged automobile engines came from General Motors in 1962.”
“

By: AAA

AAA — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 12:36:29 +0000

These awards are based on reviewing the motors for a short period of time and the panel easily get impressed by an extra 0.1KW per litre.

Long term reliability and duration are not taken into account. These VW motors have both superchargers and turbochargers, more things to go wrong. Despite improving fuel economy a tweeny bit with the turbo+supercharger combo, a replacement turbocharger or supercharger will set you back a few grand $$ each. I would take these awards with a grain of salt.

By: observer

observer — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 10:38:40 +0000

Theres no doubting that the Turbo/Supercharging technology employed by VW is a winner with economy/power vs displacement output.

But lets not forget that it wasn’t the Germans that invented this technology but the Italians (Fiat Group) back in the mid eighties which first used this clever configuration to produce the most outrageous rally car of all time.

Lancia Delta S4 Group B(1.8 4cyl Turbo/Supercharged AWD) with approx 550-600HP with a spaceframe chassis and weighing just 960kg….0-100KM/H 2.7 Secs on gravel or 0-200KM/H in 7 Secs flat.

Lancia did sell 400 road going examples for homologation which fetch big $$$ today for car collectors and enthusiats.

So yes the Germans did introduce this technology to the wider masses and deserve the credit for the initiative but let’d not forget where the idea generated from.

By: Flying High

Flying High — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 10:17:11 +0000

Let the advertisements begin…

By: realcars

realcars — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 10:02:57 +0000

Yes and back in 1975 the old holden Red six would outlast any German engine of that era 2:1 and cost about 1/5 the cost to rebuild when it eventually died.

Falcon BARRA I6 up there with the best of them.

By: VW Freak

VW Freak — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 09:39:06 +0000

Golfschwein Says:
June 19th, 2009 at 1:41 pm

“Those with phobias relating to technology, change and new order can always fall back on the Holden 202 red six for comfort.”

Hey Golfy, that might not be the best engine to recommend to old skoolers – don’t forget those old 202 reds have a tendency to blow pistons to a million pieces. I remember accelerating hard in mum’s HJ many years ago, to merge onto a highway, next thing BANG! goes number 4! lol

By: Neo Utopia

Neo Utopia — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 09:05:16 +0000

An award well deserved! Many, but not all, Japanese engines should be awarded the longetivity award then, because they don’t seem to get much creditation for inovation even though some are innovative with their hybrid drive systems.

A highly efficient combustion engine is one if the main criteriors in this assessment, not just engine power delivery and refinment. So until the judges begin assessing the whole drive system hybrids won’t be included. Many of you readers may think hybrids are boring, but wait until Ferrari and Lamborghini make it cool, because Toyota is certainly not cool enough to do that.