Power/Front Wheel Drive/Wet

[mjh_056]

I realise that my driving experience is likely to be different as move from the heavier Quattro to the new lighter front wheel Golf and I am ready for that, in fact hoping it will be lighter and more agile than the incumbent, but there is a nag of apprehension of all that power in the wet having the wheels scrambling for grip?!

Not something seen mentioned at all in reviews, all praise the handling to hilt, but all reviewed on dry roads, so what is the real world experience of having such power going through front wheels alone? and more so views on the XDS in how it manages this?

I have had front wheel drives previously but on pretty standard cars without the power or tech of the GTi/GTD so just something to understand,
 

 

[Bill_the_Bear]

This dude is having fun in the wet (skip to half way through):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8fCySmIL8c

Not like he is pushing it to the limits on a track but still...

The e-diff on the performance pack should work just as well whether a wheel loses traction because of cornering or because of a puddle.

To be honest I'm more worried about how it will handle ice.  My current car is nigh un-drivable in the ice.  A small hill start at a junction has it sliding off to the side and no manner of driving skill will stop it.  It needs a run up or I've had it!

[AAddict]

Performance pack should help get the power down.

[mjh_056]

No idea what guy saying! But that is one of the better videos out there and like said he seems to be having fun out there

Mine is GTD so just with standard XDS as support so less BHP but a little more torque - The Quattro gives me obvious benefits in wet and be one of the things imagine review on heavily in comparison when do get my GTD.

I will say from experience that though there is some benefit of Quattro on ice & snow the being on road tyres negates it quite a bit as you do still slide around! but maybe recover better.

One reason not ever considered a BMW apart from not actually liking them that much anyway in style is our work car park in winter, as many struggled out and many were left! know someone who even gave up driving theirs given the mild slope they had to get out onto each day. - Be far more worried moving to a BMW!

Would be interested to read from anyone who has gone from 4 wheel from any make to the Golf GTi/GTD and how it handles in comparison in wet.

[matchboy]

If its like the previous incarnations of the golf it will be absolutely fine in the wet, planted and safe. But don't even bother in the ice/snow as its pants! But that's what snow days are all about! 

[Movi]

If you want to get the best out of your GTI/GTD buy yourself some extra wheels and fit a set of winter tyres.
I have been using them for the last 10 years and have never looked back. you don't need four wheel drive if you've got a decent set of winters.

I change mine over as soon as the average temp drops into single figures in fact going off this year that was the mid october to beginning of May.

Winter tyres are not just for snow. I notice significantly less wheel spin and much improved grip when the temp is in single digits.

I wouldn't be without them.

[Bill_the_Bear]

If you want to get the best out of your GTI/GTD buy yourself some extra wheels and fit a set of winter tyres.
I have been using them for the last 10 years and have never looked back. you don't need four wheel drive if you've got a decent set of winters.

I change mine over as soon as the average temp drops into single figures in fact going off this year that was the mid october to beginning of May.

Winter tyres are not just for snow. I notice significantly less wheel spin and much improved grip when the temp is in single digits.

I wouldn't be without them.

Tempting.  Expensive though.

[mjh_056]

The Quattro without winter tyres is similarly restricted in ice/snow, and as she is quite heavy too, I have to be just as careful as anyone really so as long as Golf is as assured in wet then I will be quite happy.

My expectation is that the Golf will be lighter and more agile than present car which though is very assured is not lightest on it's feet and that when the pro/cons are stacked up the experience will be improved overall? All to be revealed in an on going review no doubt, starting many months from now

 

[monkeyhanger]

My MK5 Golf GT Sport TDI170 used to chew up the tarmac and thump the road when you tried to pull away moderately quickly from a standstill (like at a very busy roundabout when if you see a gap you've got to gun it or you'll be there all day). It did this in the dry with more than about 60% throttle and in the wet with more than 50%. It was really bad for it ("tramping" is the term I believe). That car had the "PD" fuelled engine, and the power delivery was very "all or nothing". My current TDI170 Scirocco doesn't suffer from it at all. The Common Rail versions (which this is) have a much smoother power delivery and noticeably wider tyres are fitted which probably both help the situation. The MK7 GTD states that it has "anti-tramping", so it seems to be something VW have taken care of.

[mjh_056]

It seems that is the term and as you state something they resolved though be interesting to know how works if it is not shutting down the power till grip is returned? - Be interesting to see how this works for those who receive theirs first though as you say it seems it is less of an issue now from your own experience.

Not something I worry on now, floor it and go, so my one and only concern really.


The new Golf GTI / GTD
Anti Tramp FunctionRecognises when the wheels may be about to lose traction with the road surface under acceleration and intervenes to stop this happening.

Overview
The anti-tramp function recognises when the wheels may be about to lose traction with the road and intervenes to stop this happening.

Under hard acceleration the wheels sometimes bounce up and down, temporarily losing grip with the road surface. This is called 'tramping' and it can lead to the ESP system cutting engine power and slowing the car down.

The anti-tramp function ensures full traction, so speed is maintained.