Has anyone had a vRS with XDS 'fitted' yet?

Any impressions?

I still wonder if it is purely a software update to the traction control/ESP system, or was there any new hardware involved?

Has anyone had a vRS with XDS 'fitted' yet?

Any impressions?

I still wonder if it is purely a software update to the traction control/ESP system, or was there any new hardware involved?

From what i gather its a more electronic thing

heres some links for an article from this months evo magazine. they had a hot hatch group test with focus RS, meganne 250, new cupra R, new GTI. the new cupra and GTI have the xds, and they dont rate it well compared to the mechanical versions in the meganne and focus.

video of all 4 cars around bedford autodrome with description of cars characteristics

http://www.evo.co.uk/videos/trackdayvideos/246493/renault_megane_250_cup_v_focus_rs_v_seat_leon_cupra_r_v_golf_gti.html

from what they say in the track video the XDS electronic diff isnt as effective as the mechanical means available with quaife etc

http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evocarreviews/244297/seat_leon_cupra_r.html

http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evocarreviews/234660/volkswagen_mk6_golf_gti.html

Ta.

I'd not expect it to be as effective as a mechanical system, but I was interested to see if people felt that it was an improvement when fitted to the vRS.

If it is electronic only, could it be retro-fitted (if any good)?

Ta.

I'd not expect it to be as effective as a mechanical system, but I was interested to see if people felt that it was an improvement when fitted to the vRS.

If it is electronic only, could it be retro-fitted (if any good)?

im guessing theres quite a bit of extra sensors and stuff, involved that would make it quite an expensive mod. mechanical diffs are nto as expensive as you would think. they can be supplied and fitted for 1200 if you do a spot of bartering and searching around.

I too would be interested in any comments on the new XDS system

Knowing how wrong Skoda UK can get info wrong on internet and brochures, I am still suspicious about XDS coming as standard on diesel VRS's. On VW Golf it only comes on the GTi not the GTD

im guessing theres quite a bit of extra sensors and stuff, involved that would make it quite an expensive mod. mechanical diffs are nto as expensive as you would think. they can be supplied and fitted for 1200 if you do a spot of bartering and searching around.

It is one of those things that if built in from day one probably costs very little, but costs loads to add

Has anyone had a vRS with XDS 'fitted' yet?

Any impressions?

I still wonder if it is purely a software update to the traction control/ESP system, or was there any new hardware involved?

Well I ordered mine on 8th Sept; the new brochure was effective from 1st October. And from other threads, XDS builds started in w45. Mine was built about w48 / w49 - but is a diesel. Anybody got any ideas how we can tell whether it is fitted or not to a specific car?

Well I ordered mine on 8th Sept; the new brochure was effective from 1st October. And from other threads, XDS builds started in w45. Mine was built about w48 / w49 - but is a diesel. Anybody got any ideas how we can tell whether it is fitted or not to a specific car?

I have a MK6 GTi since March 09 with the xds and it basically cuts out and trys to pre-empt any wheel spin when powering out of cornors etc. It transfers more power on to the loaded wheel when cornoring giving you a kind of sling shot effect.

Having owned 2 mk5 GTi it does give better traction in the wet etc,however you dont really know that it is there as its working in the back ground most of the time. It is noticeable on the limit and if you have driven a car with out it then one with it is better on the car with xds.

Vrs FL on order.

I have a MK6 GTi since March 09 with the xds and it basically cuts out and trys to pre-empt any wheel spin when powering out of cornors etc. It transfers more power on to the loaded wheel when cornoring giving you a kind of sling shot effect.

Having owned 2 mk5 GTi it does give better traction in the wet etc,however you dont really know that it is there as its working in the back ground most of the time. It is noticeable on the limit and if you have driven a car with out it then one with it is better on the car with xds.

Vrs FL on order.

Hi Mike,

Is the VRS replacing the GTI ? (Maybe company car ?) or are you expanding the fleet ?.

I am just interested as you are upgrading to a Skoda from its "premium" cousin !

Has anyone had a vRS with XDS 'fitted' yet?

Any impressions?

I still wonder if it is purely a software update to the traction control/ESP system, or was there any new hardware involved?

My new FL VRS has XDS, prior to this I had a MK2 pre facelift VRS.

The new VRS with XDS seems to hold the road better in corners than than my old car, I would say that it feels like its stuck to the road more. The tyres on the old and new cars are the same Dunlop SP Maxx and the front tyres on the old car were replaced a few months before it was traded in so I don't think the tyres come into it.

The XDS is part of the ESP software and works by braking the wheels to emulate a limited slip diff. A bi-product of this is that on my old VRS you could turn ESP off, however now you can only turn off the traction control on the new VRS. Cosmetically the ESP off button is now labelled as traction control off button with the skidding car icon.

This is probably unrelated to XDS but worth noting as its mentioned in the November 09 technical changes manual supplement that came with the car, that the new (6 speed manual) FL VRS with XDS also has a recommended / current gear selection display on the trip computer (Works on mine and its not a maxidot). At first I thought that this was just a revs / speed calculation but it seems to have some intelligence built in and doesn't tell you to change up as soon if you're giving it a bit of welly.

Hi Mike,

Is the VRS replacing the GTI ? (Maybe company car ?) or are you expanding the fleet ?.

I am just interested as you are upgrading to a Skoda from its "premium" cousin !

No not a company car had to use my own money...which is a shame.

Tend to change my car once a yr and Car will be about a yr old when i swap it. I got about 3k off the new price of the GTI as i ordered it before most reviews came out and the economy was going down the pan, and as the scrappage scheme had not started fully the dealer was happy to give me the discount just to sell a car.

Cant get much of a discount what so ever on the new GTI now due to demand etc and the 5dr with the same spec as i have now comes in at over 26k which is a lot for a small hatch.

Dont get me wrong the Gti is a great handeling car more so if you have the ACC dampers and a remap to 261bhp but i wont pay full price for a new car and the Vrs is a dam good car to have plus Skoda comes top of most JD power type reports etc.

I am pretty sure that on a b road the GTi would not be able to lose a vrs with xds.

Mine has XDS but what its like I could not tell you as I've only had her a few days and its the bed-in period. Saying that even if I wasn't I'm not sure what the pre-XDS system was like so even then I could not comment.

My new FL VRS has XDS, prior to this I had a MK2 pre facelift VRS.

But is there anyway that you can tell for sure that you have XDS fitted (be it software mods and / or hardware).

XDS is fitted to both versions of the vRS petrol and diesel. The Leon FR diesel has it as standard. I would imagine it is another "premium" tag VW want to give to their GTI

Mine was built in Oct but I have the Nov supplement, does that mean I have XDS?