Altea 1.8 TFSi riddle

[darrellr]

As I've mentioned I'm interested in getting a 1.8 TFSi Altea XL. One of the things holding me back was the stated 0-62 time of 9.1 seconds.

A passing comment on the Briskoda forum re. the same engine in the Octavia Estate got me doing a little research and I'm now thoroughly confused. Why is the equivalent Skoda only significantly faster with the 1.8 engine?

Engine..........Octavia Estate............Altea XL
2.0D (140)..........9.7........................10.0
2.0 (150).Tip.....10.2........................10.1
1.8 (160)..........8.2.........................9.1
2.0D (170).........8.6..........................8.7


Even more confusing Seat Ireland and Seat Spain quote the 1.8 TFSi Altea XL as having a 0-62 (0-100 KM/h) of 8.6 seconds. Whilst Seat France and Germany agree with the UK figure of 9.1.

Bizarre!

 

[red21]

So what's your problem?

If it's not fast enough get a faster version!

I love this 0-62mph crap that's published, and the suckers that believe it (and buy a car based on it). It's just braggin' rights for down the pub with the other chavs or for those with penile disfunction .... like Porsche Cayenne owners.

If you want a FAST car look at the 40-60, 50-70, 80-100 top gear figures as they give you an idea of how a car will actually perform in the real world.

Hope this helps.

 

[PhilOfCas]

I sort of totally agree, i wanted to say something similar myself, though probably toned down a tad.

I personally wouldn't worry one jot that the same engined Skoda has a 0-60 time 0.9 sec lower, as red21 says it's real world road performance that's key, if you ever seen 0-60 tests being carried out then you'd probably change your opinion, would you (a) want to do them in your car ? and (b) would you notice 0.9 sec ?, there's a number of variables that could well mean you'd be "faster" in the "slower" car anyhow.

Drive the different engines and see which you prefer, don't use a quoted 0-60 time disuade/persuade you.

 

[P0LKR]

The SEAT time is probably a mistake. There are quite a few mistakes in the figures on the site already.

 

[darrellr]

So what's your problem?

My problem with its UK/FR/D 'official' value is it is significantly higher than that of my current vehicles (7.5 and 7.7 respectively) and I fear I'll notice the difference. Since I haven't been able to test drive the model/engine combination myself it has taken on a greater importance. It now seems clear it is an error but I'm very surprsing that the figures quoted in Spain and Ireland are different to those in Uk and France!

I haven't been able to test drive a 1.8 Octavia or Altea XL as there isn't a dealer within a 100 miles that has one. In fact the 150bhp 2.0 Tiptronic at Bristol is the only petrol demonstrator!

BTW - Great first post

 

[darrellr]

if you ever seen 0-60 tests being carried out then you'd probably change your opinion,

I've never given any thought to this before but how DO car companies do 0-60 tests? Is it regulated by any organisation? Ditto with the in-gear values.

Which official Seat figures do I go on anyway

.........................0-62..............80-120 Km/H
Spain/Eire..........8.6................10.4 (13.3)
UK/France..........9.1.................10.7(13.9)

 

[Viking]

So what's your problem?

If it's not fast enough get a faster version!

I love this 0-62mph crap that's published, and the suckers that believe it (and buy a car based on it). It's just braggin' rights for down the pub with the other chavs or for those with penile disfunction .... like Porsche Cayenne owners.

If you want a FAST car look at the 40-60, 50-70, 80-100 top gear figures as they give you an idea of how a car will actually perform in the real world.

Hope this helps.

Certainly helped me. I like people who take the decision making out of my hands.

 

[banditdog]

I prefer diesel cars for this very reason.

As am example, if your in third gear doing around 35 mph and boot it to overtake, the oomph from the much greater torque of the diesel engine makes you a lot quicker than the equivalent petrol car which will deliver all it's power a lot higher up the rev range (normally).

As an example. I had a 2.0 tdi (140bhp) Octavia 2 and my wife an Audi A3 2.0 sport petrol (150bhp). The skoda was definatley the quicker car in the real world but on paper the Audi was faster. To the extent that my wife would tell everyone that she preferred driving the Skoda (yes, really!) and wished she had bought the diesel A3 instead.

However, as I had a 2.0 tdi (140)Octavia 2 before my XL 2.0 tdi (140) with the same engines and 6 speed box, I do reckon the Skoda was quicker. It certainly felt it.

 

[broc]

I haven't checked the data myself, but has anyone thought to compare the gear ratios of the various cars being compared, or their kerb weights? There may be differences between the brands.

 

[red21]

I've never given any thought to this before but how DO car companies do 0-60 tests? Is it regulated by any organisation? Ditto with the in-gear values.

They take a car and some timing equipment to a specially built piece of road with what they consider will give the best grip possible for that car. They then basically destroy the car doing hundreds of 0-62mph runs until they get the best timings they can.

Sometimes using 5 or 6 cars in the process.

They will never ever program the ECU for a little extra performance to match a competitors car.

Do yourself a favour, forget petrol, go for an oiler, an FR TDi with 350? Nm. Now thats an engine. None of your wizz-bang buzzz-box petrol crap.

Hope this helps too

 

[PhilOfCas]

cheers red21, saved me answering

 

[red21]

cheers red21, saved me answering

As I'm an old grey haired git I suppose I should admit that my weapon of choice at the weekend and for touring Europe with SWMBO is petrol powered ..... but at least it pushes out around 695bhp per tonne and does 0-62mph in around 3.5 sec!

 

[PhilOfCas]

that'd be interesting, a diesel powered motorbike....

 

[darrellr]

They take a car and some timing equipment to a specially built piece of road with what they consider will give the best grip possible for that car. They then basically destroy the car doing hundreds of 0-62mph runs until they get the best timings they can.

Sometimes using 5 or 6 cars in the process.

They will never ever program the ECU for a little extra performance to match a competitors car.

Do yourself a favour, forget petrol, go for an oiler, an FR TDi with 350? Nm. Now thats an engine. None of your wizz-bang buzzz-box petrol crap.

Hope this helps too

Really interesting - so basically totally unregulated then?

 

[red21]

Really interesting - so basically totally unregulated then?

No offence intended darrellr, but have you just come through the Stargate?

 

[Viking]

Red21, you don't drive a Golf GTi by any chance do you?

 

[red21]

Red21, you don't drive a Golf GTi by any chance do you?

Had a MKII 1800 GTi many moons ago .... currently Altea 2.0 TDi Sport

Got me thinking about what I had owned over the years .. and what they'd be worth now

Ford Anglia 105E
Sunbeam Alpine Soft-top
Vauxhall Viva SL90
Rover 2000
Morris 1800
Triumph 2.5 PI
Fiat 124
Ford Cortina 2000 GXL
Ford Consul Estate 2.5
Triumph Dolomite Sprint
Ford Cortina 2000E Estate
VW Jetta MKII
VW Scirocco
VW Golf MKII
Audi 90

There's also a Jag 3.4 MKII in there somewhere and a Rover 3.5 SDI.

 

[red21]

Just to hammer home the point about diesel .....

SEAT's latest press release