
Because the Tharu uses a turbocharged engine, the compression ratio of the engine is relatively higher. In terms of power, the Tharu offers two powertrain options: a 1.4T and a 2.0T turbocharged engine. The 1.4T engine delivers a maximum power of 110 kW and a maximum torque of 250 Nm, while the 2.0T engine produces a maximum power of 137 kW and a maximum torque of 320 Nm. More details are as follows: 1. Since this vehicle is equipped with a turbocharged engine, compared to a naturally aspirated engine, the turbocharged engine operates with high-pressure forced air intake, making the engine's working process more complex. 2. Due to the different working principles of turbocharged engines compared to naturally aspirated engines, it's important to note that high-compression-ratio engines do not necessarily require high-octane fuel, as there is no direct correlation between the engine's compression ratio and the fuel octane rating used. 3. Unlike models from other brands, Volkswagen's vehicles equipped with turbocharged engines must use 95-octane gasoline, while those with naturally aspirated engines require 92-octane gasoline. This indicates that the type of gasoline used must be determined based on the engine type.

After checking the information, I found that the compression ratios vary across different engine displacements of the SAIC Volkswagen Tharu. The 1.4T EA211 engine has a compression ratio of 10.5:1, which is quite standard for turbocharged engines, and it runs perfectly fine on 92-octane gasoline. However, it's worth noting that this data is for the older model. The newer 1.5T EA211 EVO engine has an increased compression ratio of 11.5:1, delivering more power and better fuel efficiency. For those driving the 2.0T Tharu, the EA888 engine has a lower compression ratio of 9.6:1, but thanks to early turbo engagement, it still provides strong low-end torque. Always check the fuel cap for the recommended octane rating—both 92 and 95 are suitable. Don’t be intimidated by the compression ratio; the manufacturer has already fine-tuned the engine accordingly.

Coincidentally, I researched this last year. The Tharu's main 1.4T engine has a compression ratio of 10.5:1, which is a classic Volkswagen calibration. The advantage is that it can run efficiently on lower-grade fuel, performing vigorously even with 92-octane gasoline. Now, the new model has switched to a 1.5T engine, and with the compression ratio increased to 11.5:1, the most noticeable improvement is the more responsive throttle, with the fuel consumption display showing a reduction of about 0.8 liters. High-compression engines are particularly prone to carbon buildup, so it's recommended to add a bottle of the manufacturer's fuel additive every 20,000 kilometers. Actually, there's no need to overthink the specific numbers—the manufacturer has already addressed the knocking issue during calibration. Just follow the manual's fuel recommendations, and you'll be fine.

The compression ratio of the Tharu depends on the specific model. The 1.4T version has a ratio of 10.5:1, while the new 1.5T model reaches 11.5:1. Generally, a higher ratio means better theoretical efficiency, so the new model's fuel consumption is reduced by about 7%. For daily driving, don't worry too much about this number. Just remember that 92-octane gasoline is sufficient for the 1.4T/1.5T engines. If you frequently drive on highways or pursue better power response, using 95-octane gasoline will provide a better experience. Regular cleaning of the throttle valve is particularly important for high-compression engines.


