GTI gets more power, grip
Volkswagen is expanding its best-selling Golf GTI offering with the introduction of a new derivative – the Golf GTI Performance Pack. The Golf model range's performance derivatives – Golf GTI and Golf R – account for about 60% of the total monthly sales of the seventh-generation Golf in South Africa.
The Golf GTI Performance Pack delivers 169kW (7kW more than the standard Golf GTI). It is also powered by the 2-litre turbocharged direct-injection petrol engine (TSI) used in the Golf GTI, with 162kW of power. Both derivatives have the same torque, at 350Nm.
The top speed is claimed to be 248km/h and the 0-100km/h sprint is covered in 6.4 seconds (claimed). The engine is fitted with the Stop/Start system, which helps it to attain a respectable claimed combined fuel consumption of 6.4 litres per 100km.
For a sporty and dynamic driving experience, the Golf GTI Performance Pack is only offered with DSG transmission. Furthermore, Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) is available as a standard feature. The DCC system adaptively regulates the damper valves via a control algorithm which sets the damper characteristic. The second-generation DCC offers three driving modes – Comfort, Normal and Sport.
In Sport mode, damping is increased (which further reduces movements of the body structure) and the engine response and shift points of the DSG are configured to be even more dynamic.
A newly engineered electronic front differential lock is being used exclusively in the Golf GTI Performance Pack. Compared with purely mechanical locks, the front differential lock integrated in the Performance Pack offers advantages, such as a variable degree of locking and comprehensive interfaces to the ESC, EDS and XDS+ functions.
This makes it possible to completely avoid the negative effects of steering response and steering precision that otherwise occur with mechanical locks. As a result, the system realises the full potential and maximum performance of a differential lock with regard to vehicle dynamics, because comfort is not impaired under any circumstances.
The front differential lock operates without any power loss, so the power produced by the engine is transferred 100% to the road and is fully available to propel the GTI.
The electronic front differential lock utilises a multi-plate unit located between the right-side driveshaft and the differential case. The hydraulic pressure needed to actuate the plates is generated by an electric motor-driven piston pump.
The locking moment generated is proportional to the hydraulic pressure. The hydraulic pressure is controlled by the pump speed prescribed by a control module. This control module takes numerous parameter inputs – such as wheel speed, vehicle speed, yaw rate and transverse acceleration – and computes the ideal locking moment.
If the control module detects wheel slip at one of the front wheels, the plates are actuated to redistribute the drive torque from the wheel with the lower grip level to the wheel with the higher level. The maximum locking moment is 1600Nm, which means if necessary all of the drive torque can be directed to just one front wheel, which corresponds to a locking value of 100%.
This produces maximum traction for a front-wheel drive vehicle, even under difficult roadway conditions and in turning situations. When accelerating out of a bend the drive torque is increased at the wheel on the outside of the bend.
This produces an asymmetrical drive torque distribution that matches the dynamic wheel load distribution. This is known as a “torque vectoring effect”, which reduces acceleration-related understeer.
As a result, the Performance Pack neutrally and precisely handles tracks along the ideal line. The existing grip level is optimally exploited. This allows the driver to apply much greater force to the accelerator pedal at the apex of a bend, which in turn results in significantly higher exit speeds out of bends.
On the exterior, the Golf GTI Performance Pack differs from the GTI with 162kW by its red GTI logo at the back, distinctive GTI logo on the front brake callipers and larger, internally-ventilated brake discs (front: 340mm, rear: 310mm).
The Performance Pack can be customised with a number of optional features. These include Bi-Xenon headlights, Discover Pro Radio with satellite navigation system and Keyless Access.
The Golf GTI Performance Pack comes with a five-year/90 000km service plan, three-year/120 000km warranty and 12-year anti-corrosion warranty. The service interval is 15 000km.
