New Golf Rs and GTIs will have updated software that can disable ESP completely

[AdamD]

I can't see myself ever using the function actually. I'm no race car driver .....

I personally think the biggest beneficiaries of this change are journalists who criticise the Golfs for intervening too early and hurting lap times on the track. This'll give the number-crunchers better results with which to compare the VWs against the RS250 and other track heros.

If my car had the ESP-off I'd only ever use it on the track, and even then only if I was chasing a great time. I doubt I'll end up ever tracking my car to be honest.

[mfl]

Good to hear that you can now switch off the ESP in 2 stages, it gives drivers in the appropiate circumstances the chance to use their cars without the handling characteristics being hobbled by the stability control cutting in.

No I wouldn't switch off the ESP for on road use at all either, the GTI has enough trouble with wheel-spin as it is.

[slam]

Has anyone with a MY12 actually tried to turn ESP off completely? I don't think it works on my MY12 GTi.

I pressed the button once and the display said "ASR deactivated". I then held down the button for more than 4 or 5 seconds and nothing happened. As soon as I lifted my finger from the button, the ASR was activated again. It was as if my 4 or 5 second press was just like a 1 second press - toggling the ASR on and off.

[Guy_H]

I did on mine, no problem.

[Candyman]

I couldn't on mine.

[jdimitri]

Has anyone with a MY12 actually tried to turn ESP off completely? I don't think it works on my MY12 GTi.

I pressed the button once and the display said "ASR deactivated". I then held down the button for more than 4 or 5 seconds and nothing happened. As soon as I lifted my finger from the button, the ASR was activated again. It was as if my 4 or 5 second press was just like a 1 second press - toggling the ASR on and off.

You press it once for 3 seconds.

I can't see myself disabling it for road use, does anyone know if it disables the faux LSD as well?

[MkVIGTI]

Pretty sure the XDL is always active.

[slam]

You press it once for 3 seconds.

Ah ha, thanks jdimitri, it is working now. I misunderstood the earlier instruction - I thought when they said "turn it off in 2 stages", they meant we have to turn off the ASR first, then press 3 seconds to turn off ESP.

[Candyman]

You press it once for 3 seconds.

I can't see myself disabling it for road use, does anyone know if it disables the faux LSD as well?

That worked !

Thanks mate

[adzy]

IMO thank fark they done this! There is nothing worse than trying to induce some lift off oversteer to have it cleaned up by the ESP and when on the circuit you dont want it pulling the car back into a straight line when you have already applied inputs to do so.
Well done VAG!