Tweet
MOTOR Mag April Issue has the journos collecting their 'Long Termer' 3 door Red Golf GTI with 17" Denvers on std suspension (No ACC). They were hoping for a GTI with ACC and 18" wheels, but delays on delivery of GTI's (them like me) are persisting at VW Wolfsburg.
The journos at MOTOR Mag state that this is the first GTI without ACC they have driven. They claim that the GTI rides on the firm side on std non ACC suspension and 17" wheels. GTI still has the big bump (high speed compression) compliance that puts it a class ahead of the competition like the Mazda MPS3.
MOTOR Mag indicate that the GTI on std non ACC suspension lacks the ACC low speed urban ride in COMFORT, which was expected imo. What was suprising was that MOTOR state that std non ACC suspension also lacks the ACC all-round suppleness when ACC was on NORMAL setting. This may suggest that ACC may be a proactive system that is constantly changing to the varied roadway conditions. If this is the case, this would be great ... talk about having your cake and ....
More info to come from MOTOR on subsequent reviews on this issue with this long termer GTI.
Taking account of the firmish ride of the GTI on std suspension, MOTOR journos would still opt for the 18" Detroits. So would I. The price of vanity.
My opinion on these remarks with limited time in the GTI with similar wheels & std suspension:
I'd say that the journos are close to the mark. I found the low speed compression and rebound rate of the MK6 GTI close to the KW V3 coilovers I ran on my MKV GTI. The KW V3 coilover felt only slightly firmer in this regard travelling on smooth roadways like General Holmes Drive (near Barlowworld VW, Mascot-Sydney). The extra spring rate of the KW V3 coupled with lower ride height and extra spring rate from the aftermarket small solid H&R sway bars aided handling on my MKV GTI, but further detracted from ride comfort versus the MK6 GTI on std suspension.
Having read these initial reviews has me thinking that 'maybe' ACC is proactive in varying the compression and rebound rates of the dampers when they react with undulations on the roadway. This would also back up claims by others that ACC seems to feel softer than the 'one size fits all' std suspension. If this is the case, I'd say ACC would definitely be a worthwhile option to have for $1500. That's still a bit 'IF' as this is not conclusive evidence.
Spring rates for ACC versus non-ACC wouldn't vary imo. No reason for them to vary the spring rate (Manual -v- DSG appears to vary as discussed before).
Audi offer HSV GTS/Ferrari type of magnetic dampers that proactively change the damping rates as you drive in NORMAL mode. Audi charge $2400 for their magnetic version of ACC (VW version does not use magnets). On the other hand, Bi-Xenon lights on the Audi A3 costs only $700 as an option versus $2,000 for the GTI.
Overall - this is good news on the ACC option I'm paying $1500 for. Having said this, I haven't driven the ACC version, but time will time.
Cheers.
WJ
The journos at MOTOR Mag state that this is the first GTI without ACC they have driven. They claim that the GTI rides on the firm side on std non ACC suspension and 17" wheels. GTI still has the big bump (high speed compression) compliance that puts it a class ahead of the competition like the Mazda MPS3.
MOTOR Mag indicate that the GTI on std non ACC suspension lacks the ACC low speed urban ride in COMFORT, which was expected imo. What was suprising was that MOTOR state that std non ACC suspension also lacks the ACC all-round suppleness when ACC was on NORMAL setting. This may suggest that ACC may be a proactive system that is constantly changing to the varied roadway conditions. If this is the case, this would be great ... talk about having your cake and ....
More info to come from MOTOR on subsequent reviews on this issue with this long termer GTI.
Taking account of the firmish ride of the GTI on std suspension, MOTOR journos would still opt for the 18" Detroits. So would I. The price of vanity.
My opinion on these remarks with limited time in the GTI with similar wheels & std suspension:
I'd say that the journos are close to the mark. I found the low speed compression and rebound rate of the MK6 GTI close to the KW V3 coilovers I ran on my MKV GTI. The KW V3 coilover felt only slightly firmer in this regard travelling on smooth roadways like General Holmes Drive (near Barlowworld VW, Mascot-Sydney). The extra spring rate of the KW V3 coupled with lower ride height and extra spring rate from the aftermarket small solid H&R sway bars aided handling on my MKV GTI, but further detracted from ride comfort versus the MK6 GTI on std suspension.
Having read these initial reviews has me thinking that 'maybe' ACC is proactive in varying the compression and rebound rates of the dampers when they react with undulations on the roadway. This would also back up claims by others that ACC seems to feel softer than the 'one size fits all' std suspension. If this is the case, I'd say ACC would definitely be a worthwhile option to have for $1500. That's still a bit 'IF' as this is not conclusive evidence.
Spring rates for ACC versus non-ACC wouldn't vary imo. No reason for them to vary the spring rate (Manual -v- DSG appears to vary as discussed before).
Audi offer HSV GTS/Ferrari type of magnetic dampers that proactively change the damping rates as you drive in NORMAL mode. Audi charge $2400 for their magnetic version of ACC (VW version does not use magnets). On the other hand, Bi-Xenon lights on the Audi A3 costs only $700 as an option versus $2,000 for the GTI.
Overall - this is good news on the ACC option I'm paying $1500 for. Having said this, I haven't driven the ACC version, but time will time.
Cheers.
WJ
Comment