Golf R Observations and Questions

**Corey_R** · 02-07-2010, 12:40 PM

1. I think that there are a few things to mention here because it really depends what you're referring to and what your interpretation of other peoples comments are.

First there is DSG "hestitation delay". This has been an ongoing complaint since the launch of the DSG in 2003, but VW think that they have all but eliminated it in the recent DSG update for the Golf R. Basically, when you are at a complete standstill, when you put your foot on the accelerator, the car then has to do what a traditional manual driver would do - put it in gear, let out the clutch and feed in the accelerator. There are ways around this even on the older DSG's. Tapping the accelerator engages 1st gear for 2 seconds so it's ready to go before you take your foot off the brake. Using launch control also helps. But the delay with the Golf R is much less, so this is less of an issue. This never bothered me on my test drive of the R, but then I was previous a DSG GTI owner anyway.

The next thing which people talk about with the Golf R is turbo lag. The Golf R uses the larger K04 turbo which gives it 330Nm @ 2400-5200rpm instead of the smaller K03 of the GTI which gives it 280Nm @ 1700-5200rpm.

However, it you are truly in a rush to get off the line, you'll be using launch control, in which case the "turbo lag" is really not an issue. Same goes for if you're driving spiritedly through your favourite corners - you'll be in S or an appropriate gear and the revs will be above this anyway. So the turbo lag really only comes into play when you're pottering along in D, and the revs are really low, and you go to put your foot down (but not far enough to enable kick-down).

Finally, whatever it is that you're talking about, it's not "slow throttle-by-wire response".

2. Yes, it will, but not immediately. I haven't timed it myself, but others here have mentioned that it gives you between 1 and 2 seconds of being able to have the foot on the brake and the accelerator at the same time. There was a link to an article about this (it didn't just use the Golf though) where they took cars with "brake overrides" and did all the traditional two footed things like heel-toe etc. They found brake overrides didn't prevent them from doing anything that they felt a driver would have any legitimate reason to do.

**HPSOV** · 02-07-2010, 01:55 PM

Originally Posted by Moz

1. off the line delay, is it lag or is it slow throttle-by-wire response?

For a normal start I am seeing no delay off the line, press the accelerator and I'm moving. The only exception to this is the hill hold function. On an uphill start the hill hold appears to just hold you for a set time after releasing the brake, regardless of what you do with the throttle. If you get on the throttle within this time the car lurches indicating power is being sent to the wheels, but the brake is still applied so you go nowhere. When it finally does release the brake you are off with a jolt. I haven't set myself up on a hill to try it over and over, however there have been a couple of occasions when it has done what I've described and a couple when it has set off quite smoothly.... more km's required to fully suss that one out.
There is a lot of turbo lag evident in this car, however I dont think that would be what you are describing.

**HPSOV** · 02-07-2010, 02:47 PM

I couldn't resist the urge and I gave launch control a go. I think I was a little hesitant on flooring it after releasing the brake, and I was trying to change gear by 5000rpm each time.

**Moz** · 02-07-2010, 03:24 PM

Coreying/HPSOV, thanks so much for the replies.

Good/bad news about the DSG. Good I wasn't imagining it but bad it was still there. At least it can be mitigated by altering driving style so I'm OK with that. I thought it may have a been a slow throttle like in some cars, where the ECU will dictate the max throttle opening rate irrespective of what the pedal does as when I floored it, it just seemed to sit there. No revs really, just a pause and then the spectacular launch even at low revs, hence, I wasn't convinced it was turbo lag.
Normal driving for me is pretty much full throttle acceleration, I don't potter up to the limit. I'm impatient, I turboed my old Hayabusa ferchistsake

I'll make a point of trying out the brake/accelerator thing tomorrow. Sounds like it should be OK though.

Thanks again.

**Prodigy** · 02-07-2010, 03:44 PM

Originally Posted by HPSOV

I couldn't resist the urge and I gave launch control a go. I think I was a little hesitant on flooring it after releasing the brake, and I was trying to change gear by 5000rpm each time.

Seems a little way of some of the 0-100 km/h times i've seen quoted but as you mentioned it doesn't sound like you launched it 100%.

What iphone app did you use?

**HPSOV** · 02-07-2010, 03:53 PM

I certainly wasn't giving it 100% and I think I actually lifted before I got to 100kmh (the last 10kmh takes 1.2 seconds), I am fairly confident a hack like me will be able to get damn close to the claimed 5.7 thanks to the DSG (give me a bit more running in and I will give it a try with max rpm changes).
App is Dynolicious. I've heard nothing but good things from people who have compared it side by side with proper timing gear.

**Corey_R** · 02-07-2010, 03:58 PM

HPSOV, when you get to that point, of being able to give it 100%, I'd be interested to see what times you're able to get in manual mode vs S mode

**Fab_R** · 02-07-2010, 07:32 PM

I did a couple of runs today in the Golf R using the G-Tech Pro SS.

As previously mentioned, the only thing done is the fabulous APR stage 1 remap.

Its just clicked over 1000'k so i didnt want to ring its neck.
But i basically short shifted in manual mode to 4500rpm and this resulted in the following 0-100 times.

0-100

1st run
6.142

2nd run
6.010

I have no doubt whatsoever that a full "second" improvement can be made using sport mode (& launch control) for sure, even better perhaps once fully run in.

**Corey_R** · 02-07-2010, 07:55 PM

Yeah cool... considering you're not using launch control, max torque doesn't come in until 2400, and then you're manually short shifting at 4500 when max power doesn't hit until 6000, there's no doubt they'd still be another full second to gain

**shakespeare** · 02-07-2010, 11:27 PM

Originally Posted by FLM

I did a couple of runs today in the Golf R using the G-Tech Pro SS.

As previously mentioned, the only thing done is the fabulous APR stage 1 remap.

Its just clicked over 1000'k so i didnt want to ring its neck.
But i basically short shifted in manual mode to 4500rpm and this resulted in the following 0-100 times.

0-100

1st run
6.142

2nd run
6.010

I have no doubt whatsoever that a full "second" improvement can be made using sport mode (& launch control) for sure, even better perhaps once fully run in.

That is very cool! I'm excited, but will wait patiently for November, looks like some APR goodies may be on the shopping list!