The 2022 Golf GTI has been packed with more technology and an intensified performance, making for more evolutionary styling. The exterior has an upgrade, but the more extreme makeover is seen inside the car, with cutting-edge features, an amazing upholstery, a redesigned dashboard, and dual digital displays. The real star of the show, however, is the expertly fine-tuned chassis.
In developing the chassis for the eighth-generation Golf GTI, the engineers honed in on improving cornering grip for improved driving dynamics, stability, and precision, while at the same time making sure the GTI maintained its everyday comfort.
“The Golf GTI has always been synonymous with pure driving dynamics,” says Karsten Schebsdat, Volkswagen’s Head of Driving Dynamics, Steering, and Control Systems. “Few other vehicles in this category offer a similarly finely tuned balance between sportiness and comfort. Thanks to the combination of new running gear setup plus torque-sensing limited-slip differential (VAQ) and Vehicle Dynamics Manager, we were able to elevate the outstanding overall performance of the GTI to an even higher level.”
Several modifications are featured in the GTI’s running gear setup that are designed to increase precision and driving stability. The strut-type front suspension has redeveloped wishbone bearings and revised damping hydraulics. The springs and buffer stops were also reconfigured to get the front axle spring rate five percent higher than that of an Mk7 GTI. The eighth-generation GTI also features a new aluminum subframe that was optimized for maximum rigidity that is almost seven pounds lighter than that of its predecessor. The multilink rear axle features similar modifications, including a new wheel mount, wishbone bearing, and spring setup, as well as auxiliary springs that are also reconfigured. The spring rate at the rear axle is increased by 15 percent in comparison to the Mk7. The damping bearings and damping hydraulics are also brand new.
A new driving dynamics control system, known as Volkswagen’s Vehicle Dynamics Manager, debuted on the Golf Mk 8. The system integrates the electronic stability control (ESC) with the electronic differential locks (XDS®) and the optional DCC® adaptive damping system. It can deliver accurate handling that is quick in movement because it adapts the individual wheel damping 200 times per second.
Adaptive chassis control (DCC) continues to react to road surfaces and driving situations, and for the first time, the DCC running gear’s dynamic components in the GTI are coordinated and further optimized by the Vehicle Dynamics Manager. Via the Driving Mode Selection settings, the driver can influence the reduction in body motion as desired. The required damping is calculated for each wheel and adjusted at the four dampers within fractions of a second. This ensures that DCC can provide the highest level of driving comfort and ideal driving dynamics in conjunction with the Vehicle Dynamics Manager.
More information regarding the Golf GTI’s chassis development can be found here. Its athletic and accurate handling paired with superior craftsmanship are just some of the things that make the Golf GTI a car that is absolutely worth driving. It comes equipped with more modern styling and the same familiar characteristics the Golf series is already best known for, so car enthusiasts will be excited to take this one for a spin.
The regular Golf series is no longer sold in America, but the new and ever more revolutionary GTI will be, and we can’t wait to introduce it to you once models hit the showroom. We will be the first to update you once they hit, so be sure to regularly check our site and our social media.
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