New in this GTI are the electronic limited slip differential, called XDS, and a clever suspension system – Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) – which allow drivers to choose their ride quality from Comfort, Sport and auto. The XDS works by braking the front inside wheel when the car senses a loss of traction, resulting in noticeably improved cornering abilities.
The difference it makes is huge. Through tight turns, it hardly screeches its tyres and even it understeers a lot less. In the Mark 5, quick, sharp turns could sometimes result in the front end refusing to steer in. But in the new GTI, there’s enough grip and stability to make the Mark 5 to go red in the face, and for yours to go white.
If the old one stuck to the road like super glue, this one sticks like epoxy. Best of all, when you’re satisfied with your kind contribution to global warming, the DCC’s ‘Comfort’ mode will be comfortable for the cruise home.
