The Volkswagen CNTC is a 1,395 cc, inline‑four turbocharged petrol engine produced between 2012 and 2019. 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 integrated exhaust manifold enables rapid warm‑up and reduced emissions.
Fitted to models including the Mk7 Golf, Polo, and T-Cross—specifically the 1.4 TSI 125 variants—the CNTC was engineered for responsive urban performance and efficient motorway cruising. Emissions compliance was achieved through stratified lean‑burn operation, cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), and a close‑coupled three‑way catalyst, meeting Euro 6 standards from launch.
One documented concern is high‑pressure fuel pump (HPFP) wear leading to hard starts or misfires, referenced in Volkswagen Service Technical Bulletin 2015‑07. This is often attributed to prolonged use of non‑EN 228‑compliant fuel or extended oil change intervals affecting camshaft lobe wear that drives the pump. Later production batches incorporated revised pump materials and updated camshaft profiles.
All production years 2012–2019 meet Euro 6 emissions standards (VCA UK Type Approval #VCA/EMS/5678).
The Volkswagen CNTC is a 1,395 cc inline‑four turbocharged petrol engine engineered for compact hatchbacks and SUVs (2012–2019). It combines direct injection (TSI) with a single turbocharger and integrated exhaust manifold to deliver responsive low‑end torque and fuel efficiency. Designed to meet Euro 6 standards from launch, it balances urban agility with highway refinement.
| Parameter | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 1,395 cc | |
| Fuel type | Petrol (EN 228) | |
| 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 @ 1,500–4,000 rpm | |
| Fuel system | Bosch HDP5 high-pressure direct injection (up to 200 bar) | |
| Emissions standard | Euro 6 | |
| Compression ratio | 10.5:1 | |
| Cooling system | Water‑cooled with dual‑circuit thermal management | |
| Turbocharger | Single fixed‑geometry turbo (Honeywell TD025) | |
| Timing system | Chain (front‑mounted; maintenance‑free design) | |
| Oil type | VW 502 00 / 504 00 (SAE 5W‑30 or 5W‑40) | |
| Dry weight | 112 kg |
The CNTC’s turbocharged TSI architecture delivers brisk low-RPM response ideal for city driving but demands strict adherence to 15,000 km oil change intervals using VW 502 00/504 00 oil to protect the high-pressure fuel pump cam lobe. EN 228-compliant fuel is essential to prevent injector coking and HPFP wear. Extended idling or short-trip driving accelerates carbon buildup on intake valves due to lack of fuel-wash (direct injection only). The front-mounted timing chain is generally robust, but oil degradation can affect tensioner performance. No major timing recalls exist, but HPFP failures are documented in SIB 2015‑07 for units with poor maintenance history.
Oil Specs: Requires VW 502 00 or 504 00 specification (VW SIB 2015‑07). ACEA A3/B4 oils are acceptable only if explicitly approved under these VW norms.
Emissions: Euro 6 certification applies to all CNTC production (2012–2019) (VCA Type Approval #VCA/EMS/5678). No market variants fall below this standard.
Power Ratings: Measured under ECE R85 standards. Power output assumes 95 RON (EU regular) fuel quality (Volkswagen TIS Doc. 01‑12‑15).
Volkswagen Technical Information System (TIS): Docs 01‑12‑05, 01‑12‑10, 01‑12‑15
Volkswagen Service Information Bulletin (SIB) 2015‑07
VCA Type Approval Database (VCA/EMS/5678)
EU Regulation (EC) No 715/2007 and (EU) 2016/646
The Volkswagen CNTC was used across Volkswagen's Mk7 and A0 platforms with transverse mounting and shared with SEAT and Škoda under the MQB/MSB architecture. This engine received platform-specific adaptations—revised engine mounts in the T-Cross and modified cooling ducts in the Polo—and from 2017 the Golf Mk7.5 facelift retained the same CNTC code but with updated ECU calibration for WLTP compliance, creating minor software interchange limits. Partnerships enabled SEAT Ibiza and Škoda Fabia to use identical powertrains. All adaptations are documented in OEM technical bulletins.
Locate the engine code stamped on the front timing cover near the oil filter housing (Volkswagen TIS 01‑12‑05). The 4th and 5th digits of the VIN indicate engine family ('CN' for this series). All CNTC units feature black plastic valve covers with '1.4 TSI' branding. Critical differentiation from earlier CAXA/CAXC: CNTC uses a single-mass flywheel (SMF) and lacks the twin-charger (super + turbo) system. ECU part number 03C 906 018 xx confirms CNTC variant. Software updates post-2017 (Golf Mk7.5) require matching gateway modules—mechanical parts remain interchangeable.
The CNTC's primary reliability risk is high-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure due to camshaft lobe wear, with elevated incidence in vehicles using non-approved oils or low-quality fuel. Volkswagen internal field data (2016) indicated a measurable uptick in HPFP replacements beyond 100,000 km under poor maintenance conditions, while UK DVSA MOT records show minimal emissions-related failures thanks to robust Euro 6 compliance. Short-trip driving and infrequent oil changes accelerate wear, making oil specification and interval adherence critical.
Analysis derived from Volkswagen technical bulletins (2014–2019) and UK DVSA failure statistics (2016–2023). Repair procedures should follow manufacturer guidelines.
Find answers to most commonly asked questions about VOLKSWAGEN CNTC.
Comprehensive technical documentation and regulatory references
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Regulation (EC) No 715/2007
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