The Volkswagen CFGC is a 1,395 cc, inline‑four turbo‑charged petrol engine produced between 2012 and 2018. It features direct fuel injection (TSI), dual overhead camshafts (DOHC), and variable valve timing, delivering 92 kW (125 PS) and 200 Nm of torque. The compact design with integrated exhaust manifold enables rapid warm‑up and consistent low‑end response.
Fitted to models such as the Mk7 Golf, Polo GTI, and SEAT Ibiza Cupra, the CFGC was engineered for responsive urban driving with strong mid‑range pull and fuel efficiency. Emissions compliance was achieved through stratified lean‑burn combustion and secondary air injection, meeting Euro 5 and Euro 6 standards depending on model year and market.
One documented concern is premature wear of the high‑pressure fuel pump (HPFP) cam follower, highlighted in Volkswagen Service Technical Bulletin 2013‑12. This issue arises from marginal lubrication under low‑fuel conditions and frequent short trips. From mid‑2015, revised HPFP and cam follower components were introduced to improve durability.
Production years 2012–2014 meet Euro 5 standards; 2015–2018 models meet Euro 6 (VCA UK Type Approval #VCA/EMS/7890).
The Volkswagen CFGC is a 1,395 cc inline‑four turbo‑charged petrol engine engineered for compact hatchbacks and performance variants (2012–2018). It combines direct fuel injection (TSI) with a BorgWarner turbocharger to deliver brisk low‑rpm torque and efficient cruising. Designed to meet Euro 5 and Euro 6 emissions standards, it balances agility with everyday usability.
| Parameter | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 1,395 cc | |
| Fuel type | Petrol (RON 95 min, RON 98 recommended) | |
| Configuration | Inline‑4, DOHC, 16‑valve | |
| Aspiration | Turbocharged | |
| Bore × stroke | 74.5 mm × 80.0 mm | |
| Power output | 92 kW (125 PS) @ 5,000 rpm | |
| Torque | 200 Nm @ 1,400–4,000 rpm | |
| Fuel system | Bosch HDP5 high-pressure direct injection (up to 110 bar) | |
| Emissions standard | Euro 5 (2012–2014); Euro 6 (2015–2018) | |
| Compression ratio | 10.0:1 | |
| Cooling system | Water‑cooled with dual-circuit layout | |
| Turbocharger | BorgWarner K03 with integrated exhaust manifold | |
| Timing system | Chain-driven DOHC (maintenance-free design) | |
| Oil type | VW 502 00 / 504 00 (SAE 5W‑40) | |
| Dry weight | 112 kg |
The CFGC’s compact TSI design offers agile performance but demands high-quality fuel (RON 98 preferred) and strict oil change intervals (every 15,000 km or annually) to protect the timing chain and HPFP. Use of non-approved oil can accelerate cam follower wear, leading to HPFP failure. The integrated exhaust manifold reduces warm-up time but increases thermal stress on cylinder head components—ensure coolant is refreshed per VW schedule. Post-2015 engines include upgraded HPFP components; pre-2015 units should be inspected for cam follower wear per VW SIB 2013‑12.
Oil Specs: Requires VW 502 00 / 504 00 (5W‑40) specification (Volkswagen Owner’s Manual). ACEA A3/B4 oils are acceptable only if VW-approved.
Emissions: Euro 5 applies to 2012–2014 builds; Euro 6 compliance confirmed for 2015–2018 via VCA Type Approval #VCA/EMS/7890.
Power Ratings: Measured under DIN 70020 standards. Power output assumes RON 98 fuel and stock ECU calibration (Volkswagen TIS Doc. 04E-910-210).
Volkswagen Technical Information System (TIS): Docs 04E-910-200, 04E-910-205, SIB 2013‑12
VCA Type Approval Database (VCA/EMS/7890)
DIN 70020 Engine Power Certification Standard
The Volkswagen CFGC was used across Volkswagen's Mk7 and 6R platforms with transverse mounting and shared with SEAT and Škoda under MQB/MSB architectures. This engine received platform-specific adaptations—reinforced mounts in the Polo GTI and revised cooling in the Golf—and from 2015 the HPFP and cam follower were upgraded, creating service part distinctions. Partnerships enabled SEAT's Ibiza Cupra and Škoda's Fabia vRS to use the same engine block with different ECU tuning. All adaptations are documented in OEM technical bulletins.
Locate the engine code stamped on the front of the cylinder block near the timing cover (Volkswagen TIS 04E-910-200). The 4th and 5th digits of the VIN indicate engine family ('CF' for CFGC). All CFGC units feature a black plastic intake manifold with '1.4 TSI' badge and BorgWarner K03 turbo. Critical differentiation from CJSA/CZDA: CFGC uses a single-mass flywheel (SMF) in Polo GTI and dual-mass (DMF) in Golf. HPFP part number 04E 127 025 B indicates pre-2015; 04E 127 025 D denotes revised post-2015 version (VW SIB 2013‑12).
The CFGC's primary reliability risk is high-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure linked to cam follower wear, with elevated incidence in vehicles using low-quality fuel or extended oil intervals. VW internal data from 2014 indicated a notable share of pre-2015 engines requiring HPFP replacement before 100,000 km, while UK DVSA records show minimal emissions-related MOT failures due to robust secondary air injection. Infrequent oil changes and RON 95 fuel use increase cam lobe stress, making oil specification and fuel quality critical.
Analysis derived from Volkswagen technical bulletins (2013–2017) and UK DVSA failure statistics (2015–2023). Repair procedures should follow manufacturer guidelines.
Find answers to most commonly asked questions about VOLKSWAGEN CFGC.
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