Scirocco - Chassis

The Scirocco is characterized by chassis tuning that is true to the "sport chassis" concept in every respect. The engineered suspension modules originate from the practice-proven "Volkswagen toolbox"; this reduces costs and yields an impressively high level of vehicle dynamics. Nonetheless, parts of this system were significantly modified for use on the Scirocco. The new sports car has a very low center of gravity; one example of the struggle to attain optimal handling properties with every millimeter is in the design of the tailgate hinges: to maintain as low an overall height of the Scirocco as possible – with its standard 17-inch alloy wheels – the tailgate hinges extend up into the roof as small bulges. Without this clever design detail the entire roof line would have had to run higher.


BASIC LAYOUT OF THE SCIROCCO CHASSIS

In front, a McPherson suspension delivers precise tracking and balanced comfort properties. In the rear, it is a four-link suspension that takes up the challenge of achieving a balance between sporty and comfortable tuning. As an option, the Scirocco can also be equipped with the newly developed DCC adaptive chassis control. The full-time electronic control of the suspension resolves the conflict in goals between stiff sporty suspension tuning and comfortable tuning.

The basic layout of the Scirocco suspension system has been taken from the recognized agile chassis of the Golf GTI. Compared to the Golf cult car, however, tuning of the springs, dampers and stabilizers were specifically modified for the lower seating positions and the specific weight distribution of the Scirocco.

Among other things, the new sports car exhibits significantly broader tread widths. In front, it is 1,569 millimeters (gain of 35 millimeters compared to the Golf GTI), and in the rear 1,575 millimeters (gain of 59 millimeters compared to the Golf GTI). The rear tread width is the greatest in the entire competitive field.

To increase tread width and reduce unsprung masses, aluminum steering knuckles are used in the rear suspension. At a high agility level the Scirocco's chassis was also tuned to offer a maximum degree of stability and driving safety. Also incorporated in this concept are the standard 17-inch tires, size 225/45 (205/50 for 122 PS). They support the sports car's maximum transverse dynamic capabilities.


ADAPTIVE CHASSIS CONTROL OF THE SCIROCCO

Ideally tailored to a sports car like the Scirocco is the newly developed DCC adaptive chassis control. The system adapts suspension damping to the specific roadway and for individual wheels full-time, based on signals from three body sensors and three wheel sensors. Damping can be stiffened in just fractions of a second – in response to accelerator, brake or steering inputs – to optimally fulfill vehicle dynamic requirements.

In less demanding vehicle dynamic situations, this automatic DCC variability delivers significantly enhanced comfort. It resolves the conflict in goals between stiff sporty tuning and a comfortable configuration. To let drivers modify system behavior according to their wishes, besides the "Normal" program (in which all control functions are fully active) DCC also offers "Sport" and "Comfort" modes.

"Sport" mode

In the "Sport" program mode, suspension damping is significantly harder; the vehicle has optimal contact to the road. In this mode, the steering boost is also adapted to the wishes of the sport-oriented driver.

"Comfort" mode

This mode is tuned for maximum driving comfort and is especially well suited to poor roadways as well as city traffic and long freeway drives.

DCC system components

Three accelerometers and three wheel displacement sensors continually measure the motion states of the car body and suspensions. The signals from these sensors – together with other CAN data from the steering, engine, transmission and braking systems – are processed by a newly developed control algorithm in a high-performance control module, which sends its commands to the four map-controlled shock absorbers in millisecond cycles. They enable wide variation of damping forces within fractions of a second – in both the "hard" and "soft" directions – thereby achieving optimal system behavior.



Note:
All data and equipment contained in this press release apply to models offered in Germany. They may differ in other countries. All information is subject to change or correction.
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