Next Golf to get active diff
Now that we're all up to speed with differentials we can get excited about new tech for Golf 7
The modern way is to get the car's ESP brain to nip individual brakes to help it round corners instead of redirecting the torque mechanically. Not because it's better (it isn't) but because it's cheaper. But there is good news on that front. Volkswagen has been one of the worst offenders for palming us off with electronic brake intervention and calling it limited-slip diff under the EDS and XDS brand names.
Now it's saying the next Golf GTI will be available with a proper mechanical limited-slip diff, and an electronically controlled one at that.
That would make it the first production front-wheel-drive car in the world to get one.
Even better, it won't be restricted to the Golf. The technology has been developed for what VW internally calls the MQB platform. That will underpin everything from Polo to Passat, not mention small and medium Audis, Seats and Skodas, meaning theoretically they can all use the so-called VAQ tech.
VW wouldn't expand on its use within the group, but did say it would likely be an option on the next generation Golf GTI, the standard version of which will be revealed later this year, as well as the diesel GTD.
This is how good it will be. In a comparison between two racing-prepped Siroccos at the Nurburgring - one with, one without - the VAQ-equipped car averaged 8.5-second faster times. That's because instead of braking away power in the bends to help the car round, it redirects it to the outside wheel. And because it's taking information from throttle position, steering angle and other sources, it should be able to deliver power without the compromises of a passive system on, say, the Renault Megane 265.
If it was good as an excellent GKN front-drive LSD we tried on a Mini Cooper S recently, it could offer nicely controllable oversteer into the bargain.
The only drawback will be price. It's an expensive business integrating this tech and the standard Golf GTI isn't cheap. But if it creates the ultimate-handling hot hatch, maybe we won't mind paying.
I think it's time to stop calling the Focus Golf GTI/R et al a hot hatch, they're more like super hatches now, most of them costing £30k or more.
Additional weight ect may compromise performance in other ways.
Renault 5GT, Clio 16v, Pug 205Gti, Zetec-s Fiesta, Lupo Gti etc etc.
Renault 5GT, Clio 16v, Pug 205Gti, Zetec-s Fiesta, Lupo Gti etc etc.
There are, however, plenty of hot hatches in the traditional sense in the bracket below. VW Polo GTI, Vauxhall Corsa VXR, Ford Fiesta Zetec-S, Skoda Fabia vRS, Suzuki Swift Sport, the various Abarth Fiats and so on.
People say that cars have 'grown', but what I think has really happened is that they've moved into the bracket above, and others have come in below to take their place. For example, a VW Polo GTI is roughly the same size and shape and offers the same kind of accommodation as an early Golf GTI, whilst a VW Lupo/Fox/Up takes the place of the original Polo, and the current Golf is almost like the old Santana - remember that five-door fastback version of the Passat?
It's interesting to see which models have 'disappeared' from certain manufacturers' ranges because certain nameplates have expanded beyond their original remit to take their place. Take Ford and Vauxhall for example. The big luxobarges - think Scorpio and Senator - both disappeared, but around the same time everything in the range shifted up a size and new tiny cars (Ka and Agila) turned up at the bottom of their ranges, everything shifted up a size, and actually the kind of buyers who once got Scorpios and Senators now buy the big Mondeos and Insignias.
Im 24 and couldnt afford/justify that sort of wonga.
- To be honest, insurance as it is, ive settled on the 306 with the 110bhp 1.8 petrol!
Daniel
Im 24 and couldnt afford/justify that sort of wonga.
- To be honest, insurance as it is, ive settled on the 306 with the 110bhp 1.8 petrol!
Daniel
A 207 3 door, with the 16 HDI 112BHP is a laugh. Punchy mid range tourque, and decent handling. Also, as a 3 door i reckon its a decent looking car for the money.
Any thoughts on a conversion kit for the new Golf where we switch over from electric steering to hydraulic? Like Citroen do ... http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2010/07/citroen-revea... j
I agree though, they'd do better to stop making the things so flipping boring to drive.
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