28-05-2011:
There seems to be a problem of tinklng noises from 1.4TSI engines. Google <1.4tsi engine failure>, but the posts date back to 2008. One failure awas at 80,000km. Others ahve heard tinklings at as little as 3,000 miles. Some owners who have had their cars chipped by Revo to 226PS are having problems, but that isn't really surprising, is it? As far as I can gather it's a timing chain / timing chain tensioner problem. The chains stretch, probably because they are not being properly lubricated, and that's probably because owners are not changing the engine oil and filters frequently enough.
17-02-2012:
Report of Polo GTI 1.4TSI 180BHP Twincharger suffering from excessive oil consumption. Piston rings replaced, but this caused the consumption to drop to 400 miles per litre of oil. This resulted in a new engine being fitted at the end of October. Since then, reader had to top up with 2 litres of oil, the first litre after 1,770 miles, the second after a further 1,300. This echoes spasmodic reports of piston problems with higher power supercharged and turbocharged 1.4TSIs (not TSI 122s), in various VAG models in high ambient temperatures, thought to be the result of the complex induction. (see entry for Fabia VRS that has the same drivetrain and a severe oil consumption problem.)
24-02-2012:
Now three separate reports of premature failure of front brake discs at 15 - 18 months old and around 15k miles.
05-01-2013:
DSG Mechatronics problem reported with replacement Mechatronics unit taking 6 seeks to arrive.
11-01-2013:
Warranty on 7-speed dry clutch DSG extended to 5 years or 150,000 kilometres in Russia and China.
05-06-2013:
Detailed report of DSG hesitation on a two year old Polo received: "My wife bought a Polo with a DSG box two years ago. At the first VW dealer service she complained about an intermittent hesitation from the car when starting from a stop. The mechanic said there was nothing wrong because we could not demonstrate the problem. One year later and intermittent has become more frequent, but is still unpredictable. The car is now dangerous. Imagine you are the first car at a roundabout, having stopped for traffic. The car is in D (Drive). You press the accelerator, the engine revs increase but for several seconds the car goes nowhere, then with a screech of tyres it shoots forward. While all this is happening you are hoping that a car already on the roundabout does not come toward you too quickly. Eleven months after the first service we took the car back to the VW dealer but could not demonstrate the problem on the ten minute test drive. The dealer kept the car but could not find the problem, though they upgraded some software. When my wife collected the Polo the hesitancy recurred as soon as she tried to drive away from the dealer's forecourt. She called a mechanic out and was able to demonstrate the problem to him. The VW dealer contacted VW, changed some different software, and told us they hoped to have solved the problem. They had not. Last week my wife and I were both in the car when the problem surfaced in a slightly different way. I started from standstill on level ground. The car moved forward a couple of feet, then stopped while the engine revs continued to increase to over 3,000 rpm. Not wishing to have the clutch engage at these high revs I backed off the accelerator and the car then moved forward. Fortunately we were not on a roundabout at the time, because either 1) a car already on the roundabout might have sideswiped us, or 2) the car behind might have driven into the back because they thought we were moving off."
22-09-2013:
Problem of cruise control failing to reliably 'set' on a Polo DSG.
07-11-2013:
Severe oil consumption problem reported on 2011 Polo 1.4 TSI GTI despite a replacement engine, same as widely reported on Fabia VRS. Thie engine is now being dropped from the VAG line-up.
12-12-2013:
Report of Polo 1.4 TSI GTI now on its third engine and still consuming a litre of oil every 300 miles. VWG may eventually be forced to buy these cars back at 'reasonable' market value. Additional complaint about 7-speed dry clutch DSG: "It either acts like an on/off switch, judders like driving over a cattle grid or bogs down at T-junctions leaving me stranded halfway in the road for a few hair raising moments."
22-07-2014:
Complaint of new 1000 mile March 2014 Polo GTI 1.4 TSI 180 DSG7 engine running shakily and unsettled, with a louder exhaust note after starting from cold
24-07-2014:
Reader reported that his Polo GTI 180 Twincharger ran problem-free and used 10% less fuel on Shell V-Power.
21-11-2014:
2013 Polo 1.4 DSG had transmission fluid oil change as part of recall, but software was not upgraded causing severe flat spots and very erratic running and a couple of times it accelerated after foot was removed from pedal. Software upgrade cured this, but 4 months later problem returned especially in slow moving 5mph traffic. Accelerated with foot completely off the brake and needs to be held back with pedal. Might be engine idle speed when cold.
19-12-2014:
Clutch pack of 2010 Polo 1.4 DSG-7 failed at 16,700 miles. Transmission flud had already been changed. Not clear if this was a straight failure or due to an oil leak as has been the case with Fiesta dry clutch Powershifts.
05-01-2018:
Coolant leaks reported from 2015 VW Polo GTI 1.8, partly from tghe thermostat housing, partly from the radiator. Fixed under warranty. (Car also suffered a front wheel bearing failure.)
February 2010
Polo GTI unveiled
1.4-litre chain cam TSI engine that uses a supercharger from idle through to 3,000rpm at which point the turbocharger cuts in to provide boost. The result is an output of 180bhp at 6200 rpm and 184 lbs ft of torque from 2000 rpm which, when aligned with a 1184 kg kerbweight, allows the Polo GTI to accelerate from rest to 62 mph in 6.9 seconds before reaching a top speed of 142 mph.
Standard Polo dimensions: 3,983mm long x 1,901mm wide (inc mirrors) x 1,443mm high.
Despite a focus on performance, the new Polo GTI is capable of delivering 47mpg on the combined cycle while emitting just 139g/km of CO2. The TSI engine is linked to a compact seven-speed, twin-clutch DSG gearbox that channels drive through the front axle. In addition, the Polo GTI is fitted with the XDS differential, an electronic cross-axle traction control system for improved traction and handling. The XDS system is a functional extension of the electronic limited slip differential (EDL) which is a part of the standard ESP system.
In order to sharpen responses, the Polo GTI is fitted with new springs and dampers which results in a 15 mm lower ride height than the conventional Polo. Like the Golf GTI, the Polo GTI features significant visual changes. A new front bumper featuring a deep airdam is joined by a honeycombe grille element with horizontal red strips and a simple GTI badge. New headlight units complete with the option of LED running lights lend the Polo GTI an imposing new look. Further back, a subtle sill extension wraps around the lower edge of the body while at the back a new rear bumper features a small diffuser and a pair of chrome-tipped exhausts. The Polo badge is replaced by a simple ‘GTI’ version.
Finally, a set of 17-inch wheels identical to those fitted to the Golf GTI are fitted along with a set of red brake callipers. The changes continue inside the Polo GTI with revised dials, a new, flat-bottomed GTI steering wheel complete with small gearshift paddles and contrasting red stitching, aluminium pedals and new, heavily bolstered front sports seats finished in tartan trim. Subtle gloss black trim covers the centre console while the headlining is now finished in black. New Polo GTI in the UK from summer 2010.
April 2015
Second generation Polo GTI in UK
After abandoning the 1.4 Twincharger DSG, the Polo GTI was re-launched with a 192PS chain cam 1.8 TSI engine. This develops a substantial 320Nm torque from just 1,450rpm up to 4,200rpm. 6-speed manual transmission.
3-doors or 5-doors. 0-60 in 6.4 seconds. Top speed 146mph. 29mph/1,000rpm in 6th. ECDC combined mpg 47.1. 139g/km CO2. Prices from £18,665 on the road. Insurance Group 29E. Recommended Sport Performance Pack £245 extra.