Dynamic / Adaptive chassis control (DCC / ACC)

[WhiteJames]

This is another review with a GTI optioned with DCC (Dynamic Chassis Control). Yahoo 'expert' reporter suggests that DCC set to 'Normal' is the only adaptive setting (other than comfort & sport). Adaptive setting is clarified, stating that dampers adapt to driving conditions. This is why some are saying that the DCC option makes the vehicle both more supple or softer, while at the same time not losing anything in dynamic firmness or ability. Read on:

http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/29092009/36...olf-gti-0.html

Our test car rode on optional 18-inch wheels, but also featured VW's ACC adaptive chassis system, which adjusts the steering and suspension three ways between Comfort and Sport. The middle 'normal' setting is adaptive, which means it firms up progressively the harder you drive. In its softest setting the steering is light and the ride squishy - though never wallowy - while in Sport the ride and steering are noticeably stiffer, adding an edge of dynamism and feel to cornering. The Golf is never the most engaging car, yet it's much sharper than its day-to-day comfort and usability suggest it will be.

A short drive on smooth roadways may not prove enough of a sample in contrast to the std non-DCC equiped GTI (or Golf or R). During my test drives, I used a favoured little section of roadway in the Royal National Park (RNP) just South of Sydney; basically the short concrete bridge that runs over the Hacking River at the Boat Shed at Audley (for the Sydney folk). The low lying bridge itself is comprised of segreggated squares of concrete with the ends of each square not lining up with each other. The approach to the bridge involves some bumps, esp driving out of the Park entrance up to the nearby toll both. Here, the GTI's I test drove strike a bump coming off the bridge at the same time you negotiate the tight bitumen uphill left hand turn, which unsettles the vehicle on corner entry. No need to be going hard core or anything, but a great short test location for a suspension comparison. While not noticing too much difference on the freeway with the new Mark 6 GTI as opposed to my older MKV GTI with aftermarket suspension, the Boat Shed Bridge drive shows up a lot of difference, esp in agility & handling in 'real world' conditions. Strike this same bump as mention leaving the Koisk towards the Boat on egress out of the park, the MANUAL Mark 6 GTI took a few seconds to regain its composure, forcing a wide line into the corner, missing an early & tight apex. The new Mark 6 GTI DSG was felt slightly better over this short section of roadway and the more overall cohesive package in terms of handling, agility and maintaining a tight line leading up & down to the Boat Shed & Kiosk (firmer front springs from but-o-meter). In comparison, my old Mark V GTI with KW V3 coilovers & small H&R sway bars (front set on soft & rear on hard), dispensed with the same exit off the bridge, over the bump and into the tight left uphill turn, in half the time it took the new Mark 6 GTI. No excess of wallowing or pushing wide ... Simple up & down in a second and on with the job. The near neutral chassis tune of my older MKV GTI did not require any lift off from the throttle to tighten the line ... simply prod the gas & steer into the corner with an unwavering line. On the negative, my old MKV GTI did go about it's business in a cruder manner than the supremely refined new Mark 6 GTI with electronic XDL diff. NVH of the aftermarket KW coil springs were as good if not better than the stock MKV/MKVI suspension, despite the lower ride height. KW V3 were set on almost full soft for rebound and low-speed compression (higher speed compression is fixed-rate from factory).

In a nutshell: If you happen to take the DCC optioned Golf/GTI/R for a test drive, make sure you find some 'real world' challenging routes with plenty of mid corner bumps to gain a greater appreciation of whether its worth the spend or not. A short drive up and down the freeway is not going to explore the damper settings or adaptive chassis damper rate controls to their full extent.

Cheers
WJ