Golf R to be 'detuned' for Oz

[CatonaPC©]

Australia’s extreme temperatures has forced Volkswagen to reduce the power of its performance hero.

Australia has been denied the most powerful version yet of the Volkswagen Golf.

Read on . . .

http://theage.drive.com.au/motor-news/fastest-golf-slowed-by-aussie-heat-20100201-n78l.html

[team_v]

Australia’s extreme temperatures has forced Volkswagen to reduce the power of its performance hero.

Australia has been denied the most powerful version yet of the Volkswagen Golf.

Read on . . .

http://theage.drive.com.au/motor-new...0201-n78l.html

This has been covered many times so far in the Mk6 section.
It is the same aengine as the S3 so we expect the same stats.

Guy H says the TT-RS is higher due to a varied intake setup which allows more airflow.

A simple ECU program will push the power figures over what they were originally quoted form the factory anyway so no real issue that i can see.

[Bboy_Sparx]

Retune it

[CatonaPC©]

A simple ECU program will push the power figures over what they were originally quoted form the factory anyway so no real issue that i can see.

Retune it

Well, then . . looking forward to hearing about overheating engines in future posts on this forum.

[Sharkie]

Well, then . . looking forward to hearing about overheating engines in future posts on this forum.

.... Audi S3's with the identical 188kw "detuned" engine have been tuned to 240kw+ successfully for a number years and to date none that I know of have had any overheating issues ....

If you don't actually know or have no proof, please refrain from making comments that have no substance ....

[static1800]

It must be rather under engineered if it can't take the Aussie heat.

[Gravey]

I think it's more a case of VW being paranoid and adhering to particular safety margins - The S3 is also 188kw, which may have something to do with it, especially with power-obsessed Aussies

[Bboy_Sparx]

Well, then . . looking forward to hearing about overheating engines in future posts on this forum.

However, if there are no problems racking the power up to 240+ Kw, than I suppose that advice is better than any we could possibly get from VW engineering.

After all, what would VW know?

Everything is detuned from the factory.

But a 10kw reduction isn't bad. If you're not going to tune it in the first place, you probably wouldn't notice the 10kw difference if the torque is the same.

If you were going to tune it, then you wouldn't have the tissue box out and you'd just do the damn thing.

[CatonaPC©]

I honestly find it difficult to believe 'Aussie heat' could be the sole reason for it having to be de-tuned.

Something in the back of my mind is thinking the real reason for the de-tune is because of the quality of our fuel. We still sell 91 octane unleaded while in Europe, the lowest is 95. Perhaps it's just a precaution in case someone inadvertently fills up with 91, and I don't think higher octane fuel is available everywhere is Australia.

Just a thought.

[Shteifen]

Thats a fair point i suppose, you have to account for people who dont know their engine isnt meant to take crap fuel.
but on the other hand why would VW care about those poeple? yeah they get their money from them buying it, but if those people cant read a freakin sticker on their fuel flap and wont read the owners manual that specifically says use only 98 octane fuel, then who really cares if their engine breaks? vw will just void their warranty after they come in with an engine pinging its t*ts off, do a test on the fuel and find it is crap fuel, then the customer pays for whatever broke as a result.
but then again while its not MEANT to take such crap fuel, it probably still can, it will just run crap and lack power.
not that i really have any other idea why they would detune it, but i suppose our poor quality fuel could be a reason.
-steve

[John Deere]

Maybe it is so Audi still have a chance to sell the odd S3 at full price.

[CatonaPC©]

. . .but on the other hand why would VW care about those poeple?

It's called Trade Practices Act.

. . . .says use only 98 octane fuel, then who really cares if their engine breaks?

The problem is VW would have a difficult time to argue against a customer; therefore they hedge their bets and take precautions.

but then again while its not MEANT to take such crap fuel, it probably still can

Unfortunately, some stories going around suggest owners who have filled up with 91 instead of 98 have done more damage than they had bargained for.

You bring up valid points, but it's a risk. A 10kw reduction in power might be a small price to pay to avoid a bigger headache down the line which would be being at the receiving end of an incompetent customer tirade. You'd want to try to avoid it.

I think the issue is similar to the reasons why VW do not sanction the use of bio-diesel. There are too many variables to deal with and rather than give the okay and risk a class action law suit, they just say - no bio-diesel.

[Golf Loon]

Something in the back of my mind is thinking the real reason for the de-tune is because of the quality of our fuel. We still sell 91 octane unleaded while in Europe, the lowest is 95. Perhaps it's just a precaution in case someone inadvertently fills up with 91, and I don't think higher octane fuel is available everywhere is Australia.

I agree totally. There is a mindset that any car should be able to run on the cheapest fuel properly. Motoring Journalists particularly irritate me banging on about the need for the latest euro performance car to use 98 octane petrol. Regardless of the fact that the extra $4 spent at the pump gets you 50ks further and the engine runs cleaner and faster.

[Shteifen]

It's called Trade Practices Act.

Haha, yeah true, good point

I think the issue is similar to the reasons why VW do not sanction the use of bio-diesel. There are too many variables to deal with and rather than give the okay and risk a class action law suit, they just say - no bio-diesel.

absolutely. the diesel engines CAN run the bio diesel, a guy i work with did it to his jetta, but like you said there is too many variables for VW to sanction it.

and i do agree with u too, that 10kw is a small price to pay for vw to cover themselves. dont think people will really care anyway, anyone who wants more will just chip it anyway, like they would have if the power was higher in the first place.

it still gives me the s**ts when customers dont read AND FOLLOW their owners manuals, which could save dealerships and customers too alot of time and money too when it comes to issues like what fuel to use and also just general operation of features of their cars.
-steve

[noone]

As you've all touched on its all about warranty (well, could be a competition with S3 also).

If they have to fix a $2000 problem on 20 cars, so be it.

If they have to fix a $5000 problem on 200 cars, thats really eating into their profit.

Much easier for them to tone it down slightly and be done with it.

Personally, if you are not looking at modding it, I don't know why you would not stick with the GTI for the small power difference and massive price difference (obviously TBC).