According to Volkswagen, its recently launched Mk 8 Golf GTI and Golf R feature an entirely new electronic architecture, created from scratch, to enable a digitally networked series of displays and controls. The company says these allow the driver to customize the look and feel of the vehicle more intuitively and in greater detail than ever before.
For example, the 10.25in Digital Cockpit Pro system integrates with the infotainment system to allow drivers to create a customized display of pertinent information, including car status, driving data, phone information, driver assistance features and more. Models equipped with the Discover Pro infotainment system with navigation can also display a full-screen map in the digital instrument cluster and simultaneously on the 10in center display.
VW’s user experience designers have also developed a new graphics layout for the cockpit, specific to GTI and R models. Accessed via a new view button on the steering wheel, it presents a combination of three instruments: the rev counter with GTI or R logo in the center, flanked by two customizable instruments that can be configured to show the engine’s boost pressure or the current power output.
The Golf R also offers a 3D look with numerical fields, known as R-View. This provides a horizontal rev counter at the top edge of the display. The scale for this horizontal display ranges from 0 to 8 (equivalent to 0 to 8,000rpm). When the manual transmission mode is activated, this display provides easily visible shift recommendations for the car’s track-only Special and Drift modes. Additionally, the display can show a variety of data such as the boost pressure, gearbox temperature, torque, power, a G-meter, the torque distribution of the all-wheel-drive system and a lap timer for track work.
Digitalization continues throughout the cabin. For example, the lights and defrost functions are operated using a digital panel to the left of the steering wheel. Operation of the sunroof, available on specific models, is done using a touch slider. Touch sliders are also used to adjust the temperature of the air-conditioning system and to control audio volume.
