High-tech sports chassis. The chassis of the 239 kW Golf GTI EDITION 50 – similar to the Golf GTI (195 kW) and Golf GTI Clubsport (221 kW) – consists of a MacPherson front axle and four-link rear axle. The anniversary model is furthermore the only GTI to be equipped with DCC adaptive chassis control as standard.
More dynamic thanks to the Performance package. The GTI Performance Package EDITION 50 is optionally and exclusively available for the most powerful GTI. In this combination, the anniversary model not only boasts the most powerful GTI drive system, it also has the best-performing chassis. The new GTI Performance Package EDITION 50 includes the following modifications and details:
- Lightweight 19-inch Warmenau forged wheels Semi-slick tyres in size 235/35 R 19 at no extra cost
- Weight-reduced sports exhaust system with Volkswagen R titanium tailpipes
- Lowered by another 5 mm compared with the Golf GTI Clubsport with stiffer body suspension (20 mm compared with the Golf base model)
- Stiffer suspension strut mountings, stiffer control arm mountings in the transverse link, modified wheel carriers for increasing the camber on the front axle
- Stiffer shock absorber mountings and a wheel carrier with modified tie rod connection on the rear axle
- Completely independent data records for DCC adaptive chassis control, vehicle dynamics manager, progressive steering and the ESC
More agile and neutral. The aim of chassis tuning for the Golf GTI EDITION 50 with the new Performance package was to achieve even greater power transmission between the tyres and the road while at the same time realising the best possible neutral handling characteristics and an agile response to steering commands. This was achieved by optimising the body suspension and the elastokinematic properties. In detail, the spring rates on the front and rear axles have been increased. This in turn leads to an increase in the so-called natural frequencies. Thanks to the stiffer body suspension, it was possible to lower the chassis of the Golf GTI EDITION 50 by a further 5 mm. These measures help to reduce the rolling tendency of the body, improving body control and thus achieving more spontaneous vehicle reactions. Although the performance of the Golf GTI EDITION 50 has been significantly increased, this GTI also offers a high degree of everyday usability.
Perfection in every detail. In technical terms, the chassis of the Golf GTI EDITION 50 with the Performance package features a stiffer rear transverse link mount on the front axle, among other things. In combination with the electronically controlled front differential lock and semi-slick tyres, this significantly reduces the acceleration understeer typical of front-wheel drive vehicles to such an extent that drivers of the Golf GTI EDITION 50 may forget they are in a front-wheel drive vehicle when accelerating out of corners. The neutral handling characteristics are reinforced by a modified wheel carrier on the rear axle, which ensures more precise guidance of the tie rod. The result is a significant reduction in lateral force understeer and therefore the outlined more neutral vehicle behaviour.
New wheel/tyre combination. The tyres play a key role in optimising vehicle dynamics and overall performance. The crucial factor here is optimal contact between the tyres and road. On the Golf GTI EDITION 50 with the Performance package, the contact area of the driven front wheels was maximised by increasing the static camber to -2 degrees and the tyre width of the 235/35 semi-slicks. The tyres were developed with partner Bridgestone for the Golf GTI EDITION 50. Compared with the predecessor of this semi-slick tyre, the weight per tyre was reduced by 1.2 kg; rolling resistance was also reduced at the same time. In parallel to this, the performance characteristics on dry and wet roads have been improved. In addition, the Warmenau forged wheel reduces the unsprung masses by around 3.0 kg per wheel compared with comparable alloy wheels. The aerodynamic properties of the forged wheel also optimise the heat dissipation of the GTI brakes. The Volkswagen R exhaust system with titanium tailpipes is particularly lightweight. The measures here reduce the weight by around 25 kg.
High-tech DCC adaptive chassis control. The DCC adaptive chassis control of the Golf GTI EDITION 50 continuously responds to the road surface and the driving situation. The chassis can be individually configured by the driver via the respectively set driving profile – Eco, Comfort, Sport (+Special) and Individual. The spectrum here ranges from a comfort-oriented to a very dynamic setup. In each of the driving profiles, the required damping is calculated for each wheel in fractions of a second and set to the GTI shock absorbers. In this process, adapting the individual wheel damping (approx. 200 times a second) guarantees particularly agile and accurate handling. The lateral dynamics components of the DCC chassis are coordinated and optimised with the help of the vehicle dynamics manager. The chassis of the Golf GTI EDITION 50 thus combines everyday ride comfort with maximum driving dynamics – typical of a GTI.
Front differential lock. Like all current-generation Golf GTI models, the Golf GTI EDITION 50 features the electronically controlled front differential lock as standard. Compared with fully mechanically operated differential locks, the system in the GTI offers benefits including a variable locking level – depending on the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and the electronic differential lock (XDS) functions. This makes it possible to avoid the kind of negative influences on steering precision that occur with mechanical locks. The lock uses a multiplate clutch to optimise traction and handling in fast corners. The main effect of the differential lock is that it can distribute the drive torque asymmetrically to both front wheels as soon as the front wheel on the inside of the bend reaches the speed level of the outer wheel under drive load. The front axle differential lock and its torque vectoring effect maximise traction, optimise performance and create even more neutral handling.
Vehicle dynamics manager. The intelligent control centre of the GTI chassis is the vehicle dynamics manager. The vehicle dynamics manager coordinates the functions of the front differential lock, the electronic differential locks, and the lateral dynamics components of the controlled DCC shock absorbers during every driving manoeuvre. An adjustment of the locking effect of the front differential lock leads to greater linearity and stability, for example. In parallel to this, targeted braking interventions on the vehicle side on the inside of a bend further reduces understeer in the transition and limit ranges. In addition, thanks to the vehicle dynamics manager, the dynamic roll tendency is reduced by means of DCC intervention.