Offering motorsport-level performance. A MacPherson front axle and a four-link rear axle form the basic layout of the GTI sports running gear. Both GTI models also offer individual ESC control to adapt corresponding system interventions to use on racetracks. Both models offer superior braking performance: the 265 PS GTI is equipped with a 17-inch brake system, while the 300 PS GTI is decelerated by an 18-inch system. Four of the main features of both GTI running gear versions are progressive steering, the Vehicle Dynamics Manager, a front-axle differential lock and the optional Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC)system. All four components have been further developed and adapted to the respective GTI model.
Progressive steering. Progressive steering is installed as standard in the Golf GTI and Golf GTI Clubsport. Conventional steering systems operate on the basis of a fixed ratio. In contrast, the GTI steering uses a progressive ratio. This noticeably reduces steering effort when manoeuvring and parking. On winding country roads and when cornering, on the other hand, the more direct configuration of the progressive steering enables a noticeable increase in dynamic response. In terms of technology, progressive steering is essentially differentiated from the basic steering system by variable steering rack and pinion gearing as well as a more powerful electric motor. The progressive steering has been further perfected in the new Golf GTI and Golf GTI Clubsport. This time, the development team included the chassis engineer Sven Bohnhorst, who was previously a senior test driver at Bugatti. With his assistance, it has been possible to transfer some particularly positive characteristics of the steering setup of the Bugatti Pur Sport to the progressive steering. The starting point of the new setup was the introduction of new steering software to meet the statutory UNECE requirements (cyber security). The new software was also used in parallel to comprehensively refine the properties of the GTI steering. The steering linearity and steering precision characteristic of the GTI DNA as well as the spontaneous response to steering commands have been noticeably improved.
Front-axle differential lock. The Golf GTI and Golf GTI Clubsport have an electronically controlled front-axle differential lock on board as standard. Compared with fully mechanically operated differential locks, the system in the GTI offers benefits including a variable locking level depending on the ESC (Electronic Stability Control) and XDS+ (electronic differential lock) functions. This makes it possible to completely avoid the kind of negative influences on steering precision that occur with mechanical locks. Thanks to a multi-plate clutch, the differential lock optimises grip and handling in fast corners, thus enhancing the performance and ultimately providing additional driving pleasure. The front-axle differential lock additionally eliminates the traction disadvantages of front-wheel-drive vehicles. In the Golf GTI Clubsport with 300 PS, performance-oriented control of the lock is implemented by means of the Vehicle Dynamics Manager. This has now also been adapted for the 265 PS GTI.
Vehicle Dynamics Manager. The intelligent control centre of the GTI running gears is the modular Vehicle Dynamics Manager. The Vehicle Dynamics Manager coordinates the functions of the front-axle differential lock, the electronic differential locks (XDS), and the lateral dynamics components of the optionally also electronically controlled DCC shock absorbers during every driving manoeuvre. As outlined above, an especially performance-oriented application is used in the Vehicle Dynamics Manager of the Golf GTI Clubsport. The associated operation of the controlled front-axle differential lock by the modular Vehicle Dynamics Manager has now also been transferred to the 265 PS GTI. Thanks to the new application, the front-axle differential lock can be used even more specifically to influence the steering response, linearity and superior high-speed performance. At the same time, the function modules for driving condition monitoring and friction coefficient estimation have been revamped to enable more sensitive control.
Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC). The Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) continuously reacts to the road surface and driving situation while taking into account steering, braking and acceleration manoeuvres, for example. In the Golf GTI and Golf GTI Clubsport, the lateral dynamics components of the DCC running gear are coordinated and further optimised by the Vehicle Dynamics Manager. The driver can influence the body motion according to individual preferences by means of the set driving profile. The required damping is calculated for each wheel and adjusted at the four shock absorbers within fractions of a second. This ensures that the Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) system always provides the highest level of driving comfort and ideal driving dynamics in conjunction with the Vehicle Dynamics Manager. For even more harmonious integration of the DCC into the modified environment of the steering system and the modular Vehicle Dynamics Manager, the application of the controlled shock absorbers in the new GTI models has been comprehensively revamped. The focus was on the implementation of a more spontaneous vehicle response to steering commands and even greater agility. Both these things are clearly noticeable on board the new Golf GTI and Golf GTI Clubsport.
The driving profiles. The Eco, Comfort, Sport and Individual driving profiles are available in the Golf GTI and Golf GTI Clubsport. The Golf GTI Clubsport is also equipped with the Special mode as an additional map of the Sport driving profile. The running gear is also included in driving profile control by means of the optional DCC. Comfort mode offers a high level of comfort for day-to-day driving, while still providing good steering precision. In the Sport profile, the DCC running gear is even firmer and the roll tendency of the body is further reduced; the GTI models become more agile and manoeuvrable and remain neutral right up to the limit range. The further improved traction and even lower understeer during acceleration are noticeable in the Sport profile. In the Individual profile, the driver can precisely adjust and save their own setup using a digital slider. Below Comfort level, the body is decoupled as much as possible for even better comfort; above Sport, the tuning is even more dynamic and very direct. In this case, the roll tendency is minimised in combination with maximum agility. In the Special profile of the Golf GTI Clubsport, systems relevant to driving dynamics are matched to the specific track characteristics of the Nürburgring Nordschleife – maximum performance to compensate for the undulation typical of the Nordschleife is achieved by means of a special vertical setup of the Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) and a modified lateral dynamics setup of the Vehicle Dynamics Manager.