Disadvantages VW Polo 1.4 - how to make it go faster?

In 2020, the VW concern released a restyled version (5th generation) of the Polo model. car received updated exterior and interior elements, additional equipment appeared, the range of power units expanded. One of the most popular is the turbocharged DOHC TSI CZCA with a volume of 1395 cc, a power of 125 hp and a torque of 200 Nm. The engine has also been installed on Audi, Skoda, Seat and other Volkswagen models since 2016. It is usually mounted in a pair with a robotic DSG gearbox.

The main problems of Polo 1.4 associated with the TSI CZCA engine

Fuel consumption in the urban cycle is 7,5 l / 100 km, when driving on the highway - 4,7 l / 100 km and in mixed mode - 5,7 l / 100 km. Even when compared with the “brother” 1.4 TSI ACT engine in the EA211 engine line, this is about 15% more. The second drawback noted by many Polo owners with a 1.4 TSI CZCA engine is dips when you sharply press the gas pedal, insufficiently dynamic acceleration (up to 100 km / h - on average in 12 seconds). All this causes problems during high-speed maneuvering. These disadvantages are especially noticeable in older cars with an 86 hp engine. With. Therefore, many owners of the model are thinking about improving the technical characteristics of their "iron horse". How to do it? The best option is chip tuning.

Engine modernization

The Volkswagen Polo with a 1.4 Turbo engine is equipped with an ECU from Bosch model MED17.5.25, developed on the TC1782 microprocessor. First, a minimum diagnosis of the power plant is performed in order to identify possible malfunctions and errors. Engine tuning is done through a special OBDII diagnostic connector (it is located in the glove compartment) using a laptop. At the first stage, the factory program is retrieved from the database with the latest updates in accordance with the service bulletin. Next, the modification of the standard software and the flashing itself are carried out. All this takes about 30 minutes, at least, maximum - up to two hours (it all depends on the type of program, car model). During the process, current is consumed and, if you have a weak battery, an external power source is connected to the car so as not to knock down the installation of the firmware. It can be prepared in advance, according to the wishes of the client. True, not all technical centers do this: many simply “fill in” the standard program.





However, it is not necessary to use third party software. If you have an early production machine (for example, it is more than 10 years old), it has an old firmware: most likely version 8252. You can simply replace it with a more modern one - 9970 (one of the latest). The firmware will help those who have removed the catalyst or are going to do so. But you can leave it in place: after reprogramming, the ECU will simply stop interrogating the lambda sensor.

Recall: the cost of a catalytic catalyst is commensurate with 1/3 of the price of the car itself. As a result, we get an engine that meets Euro 2 toxicity standards. The car starts to "drive" not after a set of 3500 revolutions, but almost immediately: the gas pedal does not "stupid", there is good dynamics even after 100 km / h, which is convenient for high-speed maneuvering on highways. Another plus of the software is that, if necessary, it can be quickly rolled back to the factory settings.

Firmware results for the 1.4 TSI engine

The result of the procedure was an increase in horsepower by 24%, in terms of torque by 30%. The resulting increase improved the throttle response of the engine in all operating modes, including during acceleration: a pronounced pickup is noticeable in the event of a sharp pressure on the gas pedal. Torque has become more and smoother, and acceleration - high-torque and elastic. The time to dial "hundreds" was reduced by 1,5 seconds. Improvements in numbers:

• ✅ nominal power of 125 "horses" - became 155 hp With.
  
• ✅ factory torque 200 N * m - became 260 N * m
  

As a result of the modification carried out, dips in engine speed at the start and when changing gears were eliminated. Turning on the air conditioner has almost no effect on engine power. The gas pedal has become more “responsive”, and with a calm driving style, fuel consumption is reduced (on average by 1 l / 100 km). Changes for the better are more noticeable on cars with gas-cylinder equipment. Fuel consumption decreases, dynamics increases.

What else can be done with the 1.4 TSI engine

• ✅ The use of Euro 2/Decat firmware allows you to programmatically disable catalyst control if you plan to remove it in the future
  
• ✅ Stage 2 tuning makes it possible to modify the exhaust and intake systems with the installation of a larger diameter exhaust pipe, an intercooler, which increases engine power by another 5-7%.
  
• ✅ If you are a fan of cool roaring sounds from the muffler, you can make Popcorn firmware or similar, which also creates a shooting effect when the gas is suddenly released (possibly if the catalyst is removed)
  

The negative side of chip tuning

After flashing the ECU, the car becomes faster, gains momentum faster, and the car owner is happy to use it. And what is the result? Cylinders and pistons wear out earlier, because this mode of operation is not “programmed” by the automaker. Other negative sides:

• ✅ The wrong choice of a chip tuning company can be fatal for the ECU, so look for a good specialized technical center (a reliable option is a recommendation from a person who has already made the firmware)
  
• ✅ Effective chip tuning costs money - around 17 thousand rubles, if they offer to do it for 5 thousand, you are unlikely to get the desired result
  

For some master electronics engineers, experts, and even ordinary motorists, the ECU firmware causes skepticism. Obviously: both the German manufacturer and the Russian branch have scientific and technical departments dealing with auto electronics. A whole staff of engineers check the ECU for months. As for the service centers where the firmware is installed, there is no guarantee that the programs were developed by specialists and the proposed software passed many months of testing. At the same time, there are cases when the same firmware is “filled” into the electronic control unit of cars of different brands. But "native" software should be in each individual model.

Nevertheless, it remains only to summarize: nothing stops Russian car owners in an effort to improve engine performance in their car. The chip tuning service is in stable demand.