William Maley

William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com August 27, 2013 Back at the introduction of the 2014 Cadillac CTS at the New York Auto Show in April, Cadillac introduced a new trim called VSport. VSport offers unique styling and performance tweaks to a model. A few months back, Cadillac announced that the XTS would be getting the VSport trim as well. The Detroit News reports that more Cadillacs will be coming with VSport trim. Executives say VSport offers buyers the styling and performance they want without going to a full V model. “In the future you can look to us to expand this idea to additional models, additional vehicle models, and also using the branding for performance or sport appearance-related options and accessories,” said Hampden Tener, Cadillac’s product director. Source: The Detroit News William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. View full article

William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com August 26, 2013 Earlier this year at the New York Auto Show, Subaru premiered the WRX Concept. It was one of the stars of the show thanks to its very dramatic styling. Now a new report from Automotive News says Subaru is readying the production version to be shown at the LA Auto Show in November. The new WRX is expected to be a four-door only and leave it dirt roots of previous models. Subaru has said the new model will be more focused for road duty. Power will come from a turbocharged 2.5L boxer-four producing somewhere in the range of 265 to 290 horsepower. Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required) William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. View full article

William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com August 26, 2013 When Ford announced that it was lowering the fuel economy numbers of the C-Max Hybrid a couple of weeks ago, they said the EPA's fuel economy testing was unrealistic for hybrid vehicles. The EPA has come back this week and gave a clear message: "The problem here is really not how the testing is done." Christopher Grundler, the EPA's top auto industry regulator told Automotive News that the EPA's own engineers weren't sure if their tests were accurate due to the whole C-Max Hybrid fiasco and decided to retest a few hybrid vehicles in the summer. The results? The Toyota Prius and Hyundai Sonata Hybrid had no problems in the tests that caused the C-Max Hybrid to stumble. "It was all quite reassuring," said Grundler. Grundler says the EPA will likely change the rule that allows an automaker to test one vehicle for fuel economy and then share the ratings across a number of vehicles if they meet certain criteria. Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required) William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. View full article

William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com August 26, 2013 The past couple of years has seen the rise of diesel powered vehicles in the U.S. Automakers like BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, and Chevrolet have introduced diesel vehicles to acclaim. Other automakers such as Mazda and Audi are readying vehicles to join in the fun. But there are still a number of roadblocks for automakers to bring diesel vehicles into the marketplace. To fight this, The Detroit News reports that Volkswagen is urging officials to level the playing field. “We’re not feeling the love. This is one of the greenest choices... It’s time the U.S. government included clean diesel in its ‘all of the above’ strategy’ for greening U.S. roads. Putting these vehicles on the road should be incentivized and not penalized, and that’s our goal,” said Anna Schneider, vice president for industry and government relations at VW Group of America. The big thing Volkswagen would like to see is the tax on diesel fuel be reduced. Second is that number of credits for the upcoming 54.5 mpg regulations be increased for automakers that produce diesel vehicles. Finally, Volkswagen is asking the EPA to adjust how it calculates its combined fuel economy rating. Currently the EPA calculates it by using a ration 55 percent city and 45 percent highway. Schneider said that the current way the EPA is figuring it out doesn't reflect real-world driving. Source: The Detroit News William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. View full article

William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com August 24, 2013 Its all about the trademarks it seems these days. Case in point, Venture Beat via Reuters reports that Tesla has applied for a trademark with the name ‘Model E’, that refers to “automobiles and structural parts therefore.” The application was filed on August 5th and is currently waiting for approval. This has caused most everyone to go into a frenzy and try to figure out why Tesla wants to trademark 'Model E'. The going theory at the moment is that 'Model E' will be the name of Tesla's next model. The new model will be a competitor to the BMW 3-Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. We'll be keeping a close eye on this. Source: Reuters William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. View full article

William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com August 23, 2013 A German investment group has put its hat in the ring to buy Fisker Automotive. Fritz Nols AG has put in a bid for $25 million dollars for the company and its assets, a far cry from $173 million debt Fisker owns the U.S. "There was too much focus on design and production. It was forgotten that you have to sell the car as well," said Ingo Voigt, the person heading the buyout for Fritz Nols AG to Autobild. If the group was to get Fisker, Voigt says they would move production from Finland to the U.S. and sell 2,500 Karma sedans per year. The group will also focus on adding more models to Karma lineup with the Surf, a shooting brake model and the the Sunset, a two-door convertible. The smaller Atlantic sedan has been taken off the table due to cost concerns. Nols isn't the only buyer interested in buying up Fisker. Back in May, Henrik Fisker and Hong Kong-based investor Richard Li offered $25 to $30 million to the Department of Energy. There is also Chinese automotive suplier Wanxiang Group and Bob Lutz's VL Automotive teaming up and offering a bid of $20 million. Source: autovisie, Autobild William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. View full article

William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com August 23, 2013 Peeking into the Scion FR-S and Toyota GT86 rumorpile, we have a number of stories talking about more power via two different ways; turbocharging and using a hybrid system. Add a third option onto that list. Chief engineer of the GT86 family, Tetsuya Tada told Drive.com.au that they are exploring of using a larger displacement boxer-four engine. More interesting is that Tada said the company is testing all three. "I hope to make an engine upgrade at least one time with this car. We [have] already tried all possibilities and there are several types of 86 prototypes at the Toyota proving ground now; one is a turbocharger, one is bigger displacement and [the other is a] special hybrid system," said Tada. Tada declined to give any details about the larger engine, but insiders say the engine is likely a 2.5L flat-four with 254 horsepower, a noticeable increase over the standard 200 horsepower of the current 2.0L. This option has two advantages over the turbo and hybrid plans; cost-effective and maintains the lightweight-ness of the vehicle. Source: Drive.com.au William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. View full article

William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com August 23, 2013 When Chevrolet introduced the 2014 Camaro at this year's New York Auto Show, they only showed the coupe. We were wondering when Chevrolet would announce, let alone show it. Well we now know. Much like the Corvette Stingray convertible, the 2014 Camaro Convertible will make its official debut in Europe. To be shown at next month's Frankfurt Motor Show, the Camaro Convertible is exactly the same as the Coupe, minus the roof. There is a revised front end with a narrower grille and headlights. The back end has a reshaped deck, new headlights, and tweaked diffuser. Interior gets Chevrolet's MyLink infotainment system. Otherwise, its the same as the current model. We have more information when it makes it debut next month. Source: Chevrolet Press Release is on Page 2 New Chevrolet Camaro to make first appearance in Europe 2013-08-21 - New Camaro convertible to debut at IAA 2013 - Aero-optimized design with hood vent, new grille and horizontal tail lamps - New Chevrolet MyLink connected radio FRANKFURT – At the 65th Frankfurt Motor Show, Chevrolet will debut the new Camaro convertible and coupe. Featuring a fast, low-slung silhouette and Chevrolet's new MyLink connected radio, the latest edition of the famed American muscle car represents the most significant redesign since the introduction of the fifth-generation Camaro as a concept vehicle in 2006. "Camaro has always been associated with iconic design, high performance and driving fun, and we are particularly proud of the new coupe and convertible models," said Dr. Thomas Sedran, President and Managing Director, Chevrolet Europe. "They incorporate new high-tech features that add extra convenience and give customers even more value for their money," Sedran added. Enhanced aerodynamics The new Camaro boasts improved high-performance aerodynamics that provide more efficient cooling and stability at high speeds. The front fascia has a wider lower grille and a narrower upper grille, while the functional hood vent helps reduce heat and aerodynamic lift. At the rear, a sculptural deck lid, horizontal lamps and a diffuser complete the new design. Both the coupe and the convertible sport a spoiler with integral antenna. Power is supplied by the proven 6.2L V8 engine which is mated to a six-speed manual or an automatic transmission. The automatic transmission model includes active fuel management and cam phasing (VVT). The manual transmission version churns out 432 hp (318 kW) at 5,900 rpm and delivers a torque of 569 Nm at 4,600 rpm. Zero to 100 acceleration is 5.2 seconds for the manual coupe and 5.4 seconds for the manual convertible. Interior offers modern convenience and connectivity Entering the new Camaro is straightforward and comfortable, thanks to standard remote keyless entry; on the automatic variant, customers can opt for a remote engine start functionality. Leather-appointed power adjustable Recaro sport bucket seats can be selected in the front for the coupe variant. Further interior highlights include a new color heads-up display and the new Chevrolet MyLink connected radio that is located in the center stack. The radio is built around a seven-inch high resolution full-color touch screen and has a clean, icon-based display menu. The new Chevrolet MyLink connected radio allows users to open phone books, personal playlists, and photo galleries from compatible smartphones. Connectivity will be provided through USB, Bluetooth and aux-in. In addition to voice recognition, the system offers text-to-speech capability*, which allows users to listen to text messages from their smartphone. A rearview camera is standard. In addition, customers can opt to purchase an integrated navigation system with coverage of all of Europe. As is the case with all Chevrolet MyLink radios, owners will be able to upgrade the new system with dedicated apps once they become available. Competitive price tag for a true muscle car The new Camaro will arrive at select Chevrolet dealerships across Europe toward the end of the year. With prices starting from €39,990 for the coupe and €44,990 for the convertible in Germany, it is a compelling choice for performance-oriented drivers. There is, however, much more to the Camaro than great value and affordability. Its rugged strength, iconic design and unique muscle car attributes have stolen the hearts and imaginations of countless people and have provided subject matter for wall posters, T-shirts, and songs for decades. Famously described to journalists in summer 1966 as a "small vicious animal that eats Mustangs", the original Camaro was built around a unibody structure and a 3.9L straight six engine. Since then, five progressively more capable generations of the Camaro have thrilled car fans around the globe. Until 1968, Camaros were assembled from complete knock down (CKD) kits at two General Motors' European plants in Antwerp, Belgium, and Biel, Switzerland. Performance has always been an essential ingredient of Camaro's DNA and consequently, it has seen action in many forms of auto racing, including the spectacular drag races, where specially prepared vehicles, usually two at a time, compete along a straight course to make it first across a set finish line. As much a part of Americana as apple pie and baseball, Camaros have featured in several Hollywood movies, such as runaway bride (1999), a walk to remember (2003), and, of course, Transformers (2007, 2009, 2011), in which the Chevrolet Camaro sports car had a starring role as Bumblebee. In March 2013, the latest edition of the Camaro Z28, considered by many to be the most iconic and exclusive model in Camaro history, was unveiled at the New York Auto Show. Powered by a 7.0L V8 engine developed in conjunction with Corvette Racing and capable of churning out an estimated 500 hp (373 kW) and 637 Nm of torque, the new Camaro Z28 is suitably equipped to live up to the nameplate's proud heritage. View full article

William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com August 22, 2013 Up until very recently, the entire Jaguar lineup in the U.S. were exclusively powered by V8 engines. That has been changing in the past year with the brand introducing V6 and turbo-four engines into their lineup. This trend of downsizing could continue with Jaguar with the brand possibly giving up the V8 engine due to emission regulations. "We are not wedded to V8s. Can Jaguar exist without a V8? The answer is yes, but is it our intention at this stage to eliminate the V8 from our engine pallete? Clearly not because we need it for our performance," said Jaguar's product and marketing director, Steven de Ploey. de Ploey said that Jaguar is looking at a number of alternatives that reduce emissions while retaining performance. One of those alternatives is to drop supercharging and go with turbocharging due to emissions. For the timebeing, Jaguar will be sticking with supercharging as it is is still "the heart of Jaguar's performance proposition." But if that time comes where the V8 must be retired, Jaguar might have a few tricks up its sleeve. "When we have the technology that delivers intelligent performance at the same level will we even consider such as move. Some of the stuff we have already exploited to the extreme in the C-X75 is the kind of thinking for us and is an essential test bed to see how we could evolve from today to something that is sustainable in the future," stated de Ploey. Source: Drive.com.au William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. View full article

William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com August 22, 2013 Volkswagen has officially pulled back the curtain on the next-generation Golf R, making its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month. The new Golf R packs the same 2.0L turbo-four found under the new Audi S3 with 296 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. Impressive numbers when compared to the outgoing Golf R which packed 256 horsepower and 243 pound-feet of torque. Power is channeled to all four wheels via Haldex system and the choice of either a six-speed manual or dual-clutch transmission. Other changes to the Golf R include a 0.78 inch drop to the suspension, aggressive body kit, dual exhaust pipes popping out from the middle, and a choice of eighteen or nineteen-inch wheels. Volkswagen says the Golf R will be going on sale in Europe sometime later this year. No word on when the U.S. will get it, but we're guessing sometime in late 2014 or 2015. Source: Volkswagen William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. Press Release is on Page 2 GOLF R – THE NEW FLAGSHIP Volkswagen R GmbH workshop Wolfsburg, August 2013 Power of the Golf R increased to 300 PS Fuel consumption with DSG reduced to 6.9 litres per 100 km - New TSI propels Golf R with DSG to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds - Golf R makes its debut with a new 4MOTION all-wheel drive system and progressive steering Wolfsburg, August 2013. It is the year of the Golf. The first six months of 2013 have already seen the debuts of the new Golf GTI, Golf GTD, Golf Estate and Golf TDI BlueMotion. Now, Volkswagen is continuing its Golf product offensive with the flagship of the model series – the new Golf R. The sports car is powered by a newly designed 300 PS TSI (221 kW), which is 30 PS stronger but up to 18 per cent more fuel efficient than that in the previous model. Like all three previous Golf R models, the new model also transfers its turbocharged engine power to the road via a permanent all-wheel drive system; in this case, it is the latest version of the 4MOTION system with a fifth-generation Haldex coupling. Delivering pure dynamic performance are a newly configured sport suspension system (body height lowered by 20 mm), the new progressive steering system and "ESC Sport" – which can now be fully deactivated for driving on a race track. Optional highlights include the further developed DCC dynamic chassis control system with the driving profile selector that features a new Race mode. The Golf R with a manual gearbox reaches 100 km/h after just 5.1 seconds (previous model: 5.7 s); with an automatic dual clutch gearbox (DSG) the sports car completes the classic sprint in an even faster 4.9 seconds. The car's top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h. Despite the car's exceptionally agile driving performance and 30 PS more power, fuel consumption of the Golf R was reduced from 8.5 to 7.1 l/100 km compared to that of the previous model. CO2 emissions were also improved from 199 to 165 g/km. Even more fuel efficient is the Golf R that is equipped with a Stop-Start system and battery regeneration, together with the optional 6-speed dual-clutch gearbox (DSG). In this configuration, fuel consumption is 6.9 l/100 km (159 g/km CO2). Fuel savings compared to the previous model with DSG (8.4 l/100 km) are 1.5 l/100 km, which represents the mentioned 18 per cent improvement. The new Golf R is equipped with an extensive package of customised and exclusive features. Along with specially designed bumpers, side sills and 18-inch alloy wheels, the Golf R can also be visually distinguished as an impressive sports car by details such as standard bi-xenon headlights with newly designed LED daytime running lights (in dual-U design), dark red LED rear lights and two-branch exhaust system with four chrome tailpipes. Inside, the Golf R underlines its position as the flagship of the model range with sport seats in a "fabric-Alcantara" material mix, leather-trimmed three-spoke sport steering wheel, ambience lighting, automatic climate control and a radio-CD system with touchscreen. The market launch of the most powerful and fuel-efficient Golf R as a two and four-door car will take place in the fourth quarter of this year. TSI engine of the Golf R High-tech turbocharged engine. Like the current Golf GTI, the Golf R is powered by further advanced engine design of the four-cylinder EA888 engine series. Compared to the previous engine, numerous technical details were modified to reduce fuel consumption and emissions and at the same time to increase power and torque values. The engine has a newly designed cylinder head, for example. Compared to the 169 kW / 230 PS Golf GTI Performance, designers boosted engine power of the Golf R by 70 to 221 kW / 300 PS (from 5,500 to 6,200 rpm), creating one of the most powerful four-cylinder engines. Maximum torque has increased 30 Nm to 380 Newton metres; it is available over a broad speed range from 1,800 to 5,500 rpm. To attain these values, the TSI, with a displacement of 1,984 cc, was subjected to a development programme similar to that of a motorsport engine. The following components were modified or completely redesigned compared to the already highly agile GTI engine: the cylinder head (together with exhaust valves, valve seats and springs), pistons, high-pressure injection valves as well as the turbocharger. Efficient thermal management. The turbocharged direct petrol injection engines of the EA888 series all have innovative detailed solutions such as water-cooled exhaust gas channels running through the cylinder head to the turbocharger (to reduce efficiently full-load fuel consumption) and a dual injection system with direct injection and multi-port injection. Thanks to its new fully-electronic coolant control system, thermal management of the TSI in the Golf R is also much more efficient with a reduced warm-up phase; this reduces friction losses and fuel consumption. In addition, the TSI has variable valve timing with dual camshaft adjustment. In addition, valve lift on the exhaust side can be switched in two stages. This solution enables optimal control of the charge exchange process for better performance, fuel economy and low emissions. 4MOTION all-wheel drive in the Golf R Fifth-generation Haldex coupling. Permanent 4MOTION all-wheel drive has always been a trait of the Golf R. The latest generation 4MOTION system is now being used in the fourth-generation Golf R. This all-wheel drive system is coupled with a 6-speed gearbox that has a reinforced clutch and short-travel shifting. Another optional feature is automatic shifting with a 6-speed dual-clutch gearbox (DSG) that also offers manual shifting as an alternative. The 4MOTION all-wheel drive system of the Golf R, further perfected by enhancements such as the Haldex 5 coupling, is activated even before any wheel starts to slip. This eliminates nearly all traction losses. The system achieves this by using an advanced control function based on specific driving conditions. When operating under a relatively low load or when coasting, forward propulsion comes primarily from the front axle, and the rear axle is decoupled. This basic drive layout saves fuel. However, the rear axle of the Golf R can be variably engaged in fractions of a second whenever necessary. This is done via a Haldex coupling, which is activated by an electro-hydraulic oil pump. Situation-based power distribution. A control unit continually calculates the ideal drive torque for the rear axle and controls how much the multi-plate clutch should be closed by activating the oil pump. The oil pressure increases the contact pressure at the clutch plates in proportion to the torque desired at the rear axle. So, the amount of pressure applied to the clutch plates can be used to vary continuously the magnitude of the transmitted torque. The wheels of the 300 PS Golf R are prevented from spinning even when driving off and accelerating, because the control unit regulates the torque distribution as a function of dynamic axle loads. Activation of the Haldex 5 coupling is based primarily on the engine torque demanded by the driver. In parallel, a driving status identification system within the all-wheel drive control unit evaluates such parameters as wheel speeds and steering angle. If necessary, nearly 100 per cent of the drive torque can be directed to the rear axle. Four-wheel EDS as transverse locks. In addition to the Haldex coupling that acts as a longitudinal lock, four electronic differential locks (EDS) integrated in the electronic stability control system act as transverse locks. The system briefly brakes a wheel that is slipping, enabling uninterrupted and stable transfer of drive power to the wheel on the opposite side. In the Golf R, the electronic differential locks are implemented at both axles in what is referred to as four-wheel EDS. XDS+ makes tracking in bends more precise. In addition, the Golf R is equipped with XDS+ at the front and rear axles. This brakes the wheels on the inside of a bend during fast driving through bends, optimising steering behaviour. In the latest version, known as XDS+, this functionality is applied to a larger range of dynamic performance – making the vehicle more agile even when the car is not in an acceleration state. In technical terms, XDS+ is a functional extension of the electronic differential locks. When the car is being driven fast, as soon as the electronics detect excessively light loads on wheels on the inside of a bend, the hydraulics of Electronic Stability Control (ESC) apply brake pressure to this wheel to restore optimal traction. XDS+ thereby operates as a transverse differential lock that compensates for understeer during fast cornering. ESC Sport. The new Golf R is equipped with the "ESC Sport" function as standard. The system is activated by a two-stage switch on the centre console. When the driver presses this switch briefly, Electronic Stability Control (ESC) switches to the "ESC Sport" mode. In very fast driving with lots of bends – such as on a race track – the ESC system reacts with a delay, which enables even more agile handling properties. When the ESC button is pressed for longer than three seconds, the system is fully deactivated for professional driving on a race track – this deactivation is only available in the Golf R and not in any other models of the Golf series. Sport suspension of the Golf R Synthesis of sportiness and comfort. The Golf R has a sport suspension setup that is individually tuned to the 300 PS all-wheel drive car. Compared to the base Golf, its ride height was lowered by 20 mm, which makes the Golf R 5 mm lower than the GTI. In the Golf R, a MacPherson-type front suspension (spring struts) with a newly developed low wishbone and track-stabilising scrub radius delivers optimal handling and steering properties and well-balanced vibration behaviour. The multi-link rear suspension of the all-wheel drive Golf R was enhanced in numerous areas; among other improvements, Volkswagen perfected this modular high-performance suspension's lateral rigidity, which is necessary for steering, by implementing new bearing tuning of the steering link. Dynamic performance. Engineers designed the basic tuning of the running gear of the new Golf R for maximum driving fun combined with extraordinary driving stability and good long touring comfort. Compared to the previous model, steering response was made even more agile with direct steering gear ratios by the car's progressive steering system. In addition, maximum attainable speeds were significantly increased when driving through bends. The running gear was tuned to be more neutral for this purpose, avoiding understeering all the way up to the car's performance limits. The new calibration of the all-wheel drive system makes a decisive contribution towards achieving neutral handling. Response times of the Haldex coupling were minimized, and the drive torques that occur in specific driving situations were optimized for maximum neutrality, avoiding self-steering effects even under high load. The result is more uniform and predictable steering response in bends. To attain optimal mechanical grip, stiffness values were precisely controlled for springs and anti-roll bars and intentionally designed not to be too stiff. In conjunction with the extremely fine adjustment of damper characteristics, the new Golf R shows an exceptional ability to follow the line the driver wants to drive precisely – on both flat and uneven route profiles. This makes handling very precise and smooth up to performance limits. The car's neutral handling in curves is also combined with very good driving stability thanks to the innovative layout of all running gear components. This excellent driving stability is especially noticeable in lane changes and load alterations. In tuning the new Golf R, the development team also focused on harmonious and predictable reactions of the running gear. Ride comfort. Along with dynamic performance, suspension comfort was perfected compared to the previous model. The running gear harmoniously absorbs both small and large unevenness of the road surface. With the very large spread of positive properties mentioned – direct, neutral and stable handling combined with a high level of ride comfort – the running gear of the Golf R delivers a unique synthesis of maximum dynamic performance and ideal long touring capabilities. Progressive steering. Like the Golf GTI, the Golf R is equipped with the newly developed progressive steering system as standard. Drivers do not need to turn the steering wheel as much to turn a desired radius; they also do not need to reach over the steering wheel as often in tight bends. With progressive steering, it takes 2.1 turns of the wheel (380°) to reach the end stop; with the standard steering system of less powerful Golf models it takes 2.75 turns (500°). Background: Conventional steering systems operate with a constant gear ratio. The new steering of the Golf R meanwhile operates with a progressive steering gear ratio. This perceptibly reduces steering effort in manoeuvring and parking. On country roads with lots of bends, and when making turns, the driver experiences a plus in dynamics due to the more direct layout. DCC. The new Golf R can be ordered with the second generation of DCC dynamic chassis control as an option. DCC offers the three driving modes 'Comfort', 'Normal' and 'Sport', which are now selected and displayed via the touchscreen on the centre console as part of the "Driving Profile Selector" functionality. In "Sport" mode, even more dynamic handling is implemented. The DCC system adaptively controls the damper valves via a further developed and refined control algorithm for setting the damper characteristics. DCC takes input signals from wheel displacement sensors and accelerometers as well as vehicle information from the Chassis-CAN bus to compute these values and adaptively adjust the optimal damping force for every driving situation. Moreover, damping forces are selectively applied to the four wheels individually. With the new generation of DCC, it is now also possible to fully independently vary rebound and compression damping for transverse dynamic manoeuvres – a significant benefit in optimising vehicle dynamics. Driver profile selector with Race mode. New in the Golf R is the Driving Profile Selector that is a standard feature of DCC. A total of four programmes are available, and five driving programmes in conjunction with DCC: "Eco", "Normal", "Individual" and the special "Race" mode that was specially tailored to the Golf R. In combination with DCC, "Comfort" mode is also available. All modes were specifically tuned for application in the Golf R. In "Race" mode, damping is increased (which further reduces movements of the body structure), and engine response and shift points of the (optional) DSG are configured to be even more dynamic. In the "Individual" driving profile, the driver can individually combine mode settings for the various single components. When in the "Eco" driving profile, on the other hand, the engine controller, air conditioning and other auxiliary units are controlled for optimal fuel economy. Vehicles with DSG also have a coasting function in Eco mode. When the driver releases the accelerator pedal – e.g. when slowing down to a traffic light or on route segments with descents – the DSG disengages and the engine idles, which enables optimal utilisation of the kinetic energy of the Golf R. Brakes. The extremely durable brakes were also adapted to the higher power levels of the Golf R. Here, Volkswagen uses a 17-inch system with internally ventilated discs and black brake callipers (with "R" logo) at all four wheels. In front, the brake pistons have a diameter of 60 mm, while 42 mm pistons are used at the rear. The 30 mm thick brake discs of the front wheels have a diameter of 340 mm; the rear discs are 22 mm thick and 310 mm in diameter. Exterior of the Golf R Customised styling. Volkswagen R GmbH has developed numerous new exterior details for the flagship Golf. They include the bumpers, side sills, rear diffuser, chrome dual tailpipes of the exhaust system (left and right of the diffuser), layout and lighting design of the bi-xenon headlights and standard 18-inch and optional 19-inch alloy wheels. Front end. The Golf R can be distinguished from the front by a new bumper design with exceptionally large air inlets, modified radiator grille (with "R" logo) and newly developed daytime running lights that are integrated into the housings of the bi-xenon headlights. The LED daytime running lights form a distinctive dual "U" design beneath the dual headlights. Side profile. From the side, the Golf R is characterised by newly designed 18-inch "Cadiz" alloy wheels with size 225/40 tyres, black brake callipers with "R" logo, side sill panels in "R" style painted in body colour, "R" badges on the front wings and "Matt chrome" door mirror caps. The sports car may also be ordered with optional 19-inch alloy wheels; Volkswagen R GmbH also offers "Cadiz" wheels in this size; in addition, "Pretoria" wheels are exclusively available in 19-inch format as "flow-forming" wheels (especially lightweight and sturdy) in motorsport design. Rear section. Rear details that define the look of the new Golf R include smoked LED rear lights with a distinctive light-coloured stripe in the middle, diffuser in "R" design, four chrome tailpipes and an "R" logo on the boot lid. Eight colours. The range of exterior paints comprises eight body colours. A new paint was created specifically and exclusively for the Golf R: "Lapis Blue Metallic". Alternative colour choices are "Pure White", "Tornado Red", "Night Blue", "Limestone Grey Metallic", "Reflex Silver Metallic", "Deep Black Pearl Effect" and "Oryx White". Interior of the Golf R Sport seats in cloth/Alcantara with carbon-look leather. As in the three previous Golf R models, Volkswagen R GmbH has extensively customised and upgraded the interior of the new model as well. This most powerful Golf is equipped with what are known as top sport seats (front). The middle panels are designed in "Race" fabric ("Titan Black") with black backstitching. Meanwhile, the side panels are executed in Alcantara ("Crystal Grey"). The outer surfaces of the seats and the head restraints are designed in "Clip" cloth upholstery ("Titan Black"). Decorative seams in "Crystal Grey" form a contrast to the dark areas. An "R" logo is embossed on the backrests of the front seats. As an option, Volkswagen also offers a Nappa-carbon leather package. Here, the outer seat surfaces, inner side support panels and head restraints are all upholstered in dark "Carbon" Nappa leather. Meanwhile, the middle seat panels may be ordered in either dark or light Nappa leather ("Anthracite" or "Modern Grey"). The decorative seams are "Crystal Grey" in the leather upholstery version as well. Leather is also used to trim the upper and lower grip zones of the three-spoke sport steering wheel in "R" design. Last but not least, the steering wheel's lower cross bar has a chrome "R" logo. Here too, all leather elements are upgraded by decorative stitching in the contrasting colour "Crystal Grey". The decorative inlays of the dashboard and door trim panels feature the "Carbon Touch" design; ambience lighting is also integrated in the door trim panels as standard. The door sill guards are illuminated as well (in blue). The pedals and foot supports are also designed in stainless steel look as standard. Customisation extends down to the floor mats, which have upgraded piping in a contrasting colour. Instruments in "R" design. The instruments and the start menu of the touchscreen on the centre console were also customised. To give a sporty feel from the very start, when the ignition is switched on the illuminated light-blue needles of the tachometer and speedometer sweep once across the entire scale to the end pin – in the case of the speedometer to the 320 km/h mark. The instrument needles are also automatically illuminated as soon as the driver's door is opened. The touchscreen of the radio or radio-navigation system (Composition Touch radio is standard) shows an animated "R" logo as a start screen. Also new and upgraded with an "R" badge is the accessory used to start the Golf R: the ignition key, specifically its case; it represents perfection in the smallest details. Radio and radio-navigation systems. Volkswagen is equipping the Golf R with redesigned radio and radio/navigation systems. All systems have a touchscreen as standard. The new device generation is available in three different display sizes: 5 inches, 5.8 inches and 8 inches. For the first time, Volkswagen is implementing displays that have proximity sensors (5.8-inch display and above): as soon as the driver or front passenger moves a finger near to the touchscreen, the system automatically switches from display mode to input mode. The display mode shows a screen that is reduced to just the essentials. In the operating mode, on the other hand, the elements that can be activated by touch are specially highlighted to simplify intuitive operation. The displays also have a function that lets users scroll through lists or browse CD covers in the media library with a wipe of the hand. Car-Net. Car-Net is offered for the Golf R in conjunction with the Discover Pro radio-navigation system and the "Premium" mobile phone interface. It consists of a set of new mobile online services. For example, Car-Net lets drivers integrate highly up-to-date traffic information into dynamic route guidance and input online Points of Interest (POI) into the navigation system. It also integrates the 360-degree panoramic street perspective images of Google Street View. Realistic photographic satellite images can also be displayed, which are based on the Google-Earth™ map service (Google Maps). Overview– quick facts Key aspects in alphabetical order • Automatic gearbox: - 6-speed DSG • Cargo capacity: - 343 litres to 1,233 litres • Character: - Flagship with racing DNA • Colours: - "Tornado Red", "Pure White", "Lapis Blue Metallic", "Reflex Silver Metallic", "Limestone Grey Metallic", "Night Blue Metallic", "Deep Black Pearl Effect" and "Oryx White Mother of Pearl Effect" • Drive system: - All-wheel drive • Driver assistance and performance systems: - Electronic Stability Control (ESC) including ABS, brake assist, traction control, XDS+ electronic differential lock, four-wheel EDS, engine - drag torque control, countersteering assist (standard) - ESC Sport (ESC mode, e.g. for race courses) - Driver Alert System (standard) - Automatic post-collision braking system (standard) - Progressive steering (standard) - ParkPilot (standard) - Tyre pressure monitoring indicator (standard) - DCC dynamic chassis control - ACC plus adaptive cruise control Front Assist surroundings monitoring system with City Emergency Braking - Dynamic Light Assist dynamic main beam control - Driving profile selector including Race mode - Light Assist main beam control - Cruise control system - PreCrash occupant protective system - Rear Assist - Lane Assist lane-keeping assistant - Road sign recognition • Engines – petrol: 2.0 TSI with output of 221 kW / 300 PS • Equipment line: - R • Infotainment: - Standard radio: "Composition Touch" (5-inch screen) - "Composition Colour" radio (5-inch screen) - "Composition Media" radio (5.8-inch screen) - "Composition Media" radio with navigation function "Discover Media" (5.8-inch screen) - "Discover Pro" radio-navigation system (8-inch screen) - Dynaudio sound system - Car Net (Online services) • Market launch, Europe: - Fourth quarter of 2013 • Prices (Germany): - Golf R – from 38,325 euros • Production location: Wolfsburg plant • Running gear: - Front: MacPherson strut suspension - Rear: modular performance suspension - Progressive steering • Standard gearbox: 6-speed manual gearbox • Wheels: - Standard wheels: 18-inch "Cadiz" alloy wheels - Optional wheels: 19-inch "Cadiz" alloy wheels and "Pretoria" View full article