Hi all! i've got exact same problem. I found out that the swirl throttle linkage was disconnected due to age . After putting it in place and everything is back to normal. i think it's what everyone should check first.

I think it's fuel.

Im not very far in but my MPG calculation test didnt last long on Vpower!

200 miles in, weird no power-not-quite-limp-mode issue comes back.

Next fill, I stick in some Tesco fuel - all ok.

Next mpg test, BP ultimate, 600 miles no issues

Next BP standard fuel, 600 miles no issues.

Next, Shell city diesel - 600 miles no issues, mpg recorded - difference felt in engine noise but power feels down, yet less clattery, doesnt shift down a gear as quick.

No issues on normal fuel but still, even the types of fuel for 300+ miles is noticable.


Im now trying to find which fuel gets best mpg for the £, nice to know BP's premium doesnt cause it but vpowers liquid gas does.

I use supermarket diesel almost exclusively however on one occasion I had to fill up on Shell and I chose VPower because it was available and my supermarkets don't sell any upgraded diesels so I thought I'd see what it did. And I found that the car seemed more responsive. This could be placebo effect and since I'm not prepared to pay the extra I went back to the cheap stuff so my experience isn't conclusive except that the VPower didn't cause any problems and that wasn't placebo.

I've come across this fuel /performance allegation on other car forums and there is never a conclusive outcome. I've now fitted the Polestar optimisation and even the cheap fuel pushes the car into the sound barrier (exaggeration!)

Hi Pete,

Your issue categorically is not due to the type of fuel, as per my previous reply. You have an intermittent fault with one of your components, and it is most likely your 2nd hand MAF sensor. As it is intermittent, it may be fine for 100's of miles, then become problematic, then fine again. This is giving you the false impression that the fuel you happen to be using during those miles is having an effect, but in fact it isn't. Air temperature, humidity or any number of factors may be having an adverse effect and causing it to malfunction now and again, as MAF's are incredibly sensitive. I hope I don't sound blunt, but I just don't want to see you wasting more money on premium fuels and additives to try and solve your problem. Hope this helps mate :)

Not blunt enough to be honest

Err do you mind, I've just bought shares in a snakeoil company, your damaging my profit margins... How am I going to feed the children?

Holy thread revival batman!
Did anyone or OP get to the bottom of this?
I've had the same issue with mine. When I bought my car I scanned it with vida, a code for swirl flaps came up, sure enough the linkage had come off. Drove faultlessly on a 50 mile journey home...
Did an 80 mile journey faultlessly today until it came to overtaking on a motorway, flat, no poke, accelerated extremely slowly, I couldn't feel the turbo. So popped off at a junction, attempted to pull off, dangerous (lack of) acceleration. Parked up to check things. Decided to reconnect the swirl motor and started it up... Back to normal?! Turbo kicked in, drove perfectly! Added another 40 miles, and a further 200 miles homeward bound, without fault.

I'm hoping this is a one off. But I'm going to clean the intake and replace her flaps. At 169k without history or evidence of egr cleaning, I suspect gummage to the max!

We never heard back from Pete. Maybe he tried rocket fuel one day...

I have exactly same issue, only happens in cold weather, stopping and restarting after 5 mins resolves it. Presume it's MAF but haven't got round to changing it, I just live with it.

Yes , yet another Myth which circulates around the internet ...

Had exactly this issue with mine & simply removed the front bumper , struggled with the intercooler /radiator/ crossmember assembly ................. AND swapped the MAP sensor fitted to the top of the intercooler in the most ridiculous location since ever . The zero power issue was worst first thing in the morning & occurred whenever it felt like it ( buy genuine , as you will NOT want to perform the same task in two weeks time ! ) I was not getting any messages or warning lights , live data reading showed very strange values from the sensor .