ACC Anyone actually notice the difference?

[maisbitt]

VW used to claim that for ACC equipped cars, the throttle and steering response were sharpened in Sport. This claim was most prominent in early MK6 Golf brochures with a page extolling the virtues of ACC as an option VW would like you to pay for.

I'm sure the 1st Scirocco brochure also mentioned sharper throttle response, although at that time, the only model mentioned (and in production) was the 2.0TSI, so sharper thottle resonse might have been specific to that model (if it wasn't just VW marketing hype).

[kane1210]

Taken from VW


ACC is an innovative system that allows you to choose the style of drive you want at any time. Three ride settings are offered - Normal, Sport and Comfort - all at the touch of a button in the centre console. This operates the electrically regulated dampers and steering. In Sport mode, for instance, relatively stiff dampers match the changed steering characteristics, offering a driving experience like that of an agile sports car. The damping also adapts itself to the respective road conditions. Each shock absorber is connected to a control which calculates the optimum setting for each wheel from the sensor data and other information received from the steering, braking, engine, transmission and driving assistance systems. This allows the ACC to react continually (up to a thousand times per second) to bumps in the road, changing lanes or bendy roads, reducing pitch and roll motion and provide the optimum settings for every driving situation.

[Deacon]

When mine was dynoed for the itg intake there was a noticeable difference shown on the graph between comfort and sport in terms of the changeover between the super and turbo charger. The sport map clearly covered over this change whereas in comfort there was a noteable dip in the graph at the changeover

[Deacon]

Oh and on the original question i can feel a clear difference too

[whicher]

Is it a really noticeable difference or really subtle? Just driven home 25 miles on the motorway and despite mucking around with it for the whole journey, the suspension seems exactly the same whatever mode it's in! :s

[matsa71]

In my opinion, it's very noticable when doing hard cornering.
In comfort mode, I loose grip much earlier than when in sport mode.
Steering feel as well, most noticable at stand still, harder steering in sport mode than in comfort mode.
I would say that if you can't feel the difference when doing some hard cornering, there is something wrong with the system.
When it comes to throttle reposonse, well, there I can't feel a difference.

[Sanders83]

This thread has actually inspired me to play around with the ACC modes alot more. And although when I first got the car I couldn't tell the difference I now can. When going 90 degree turns into residential streets etc the front corner does lollop down and go squishy in comfort. But I have to say even in comfort mode the handling is still awesome. Very little body roll. Sport mode just makes you feel every change in road surface with a bump.

I do prefer the steering in sport mode though, and wish you could customise the settings so you can have soft suspension and sharp steering cos it is a bit floppy in comfort mode sometimes. I never actually use the normal setting. Flick from one to the other.

[skyblues11]

Maybe the accelaration side is related to the gear setting of the DSG.

In Sport mode, the first few gears are longer but faster upshift. This may have improved the 'responsiveness' i feel.

The Comfort mode also have short 1st to 3rd, keen to climb to 7th and cruise at around 2k rpm on each gear.

Normal mode is best suited for manual gear use IMO. IN this, the gears are longer and the suspension is about right. Steering could be a tad tight for the urban commute.

i wonder, does anyone drive around with the ACC on Sport and DSG on 'S'?

[Shorum]

Yes, there's a big difference:
The dampening of the suspension is increased in sport mode - less lift when you go over humps and less roll.
The brakes and throttle response is increased.
The steering tightens.

[Kev]

Big difference.

Most noticeable in cornering. In comfort you'll really feel a lollopy roll. In sport you wont.

[Gary_Monkey]

I most definitely feel a difference between, COMFORT, NORMAL and SPORT on the ACC settings.

If instance if you drive round in SPORT for a day or two and then switch back to NORMAL it feels like you've got Merc air suspension! Conversely if you leave it in COMFORT and then switch to SPORT you feel every bump, camber and judder.

Skyblues11:
I never drive my 160 in DSG 'S' and ACC in SPORT for long periods (only the odd angry blast). I would have been banned by now if I had

[Ryy]

I think I'll give this a go on the way to work over the next 3 days. Same journey and I'll check with times. Mine has been lowered, but the DCC still works AFAIK. No errors anyway.

[fun meter]

Dont even come on here that often and feel like this has been beaten to death already, lol.

Definitely noticeable between all 3 modes - steering weight/sharpness, ride feel and throttle response. Use comfort 95% time in winter because crappy roads and conditions, normal this time of year feels better, and sport for fun and track.

[lewis]

Mine now coming up to two years old in July - must say that I have NEVER felt any difference with any of the settings !

Will mention it to the dealers - come the two year service

Jeff

[Maroon]

Anyone of you who has lowed chassi with H&R sport suspension and still feels the clear difference between the three modes? I don't.

[kenti]

Anyone of you who has lowed chassi with H&R sport suspension and still feels the clear difference between the three modes? I don't.

After fitting H&R 35mm lowering springs I still feel the difference between the different modes. I clearly felt the difference before, and there is even more between "Sport" and "Comfort" after the new springs were fitted. The difference isn't subtle either, you can clearly feel it right away.

[Ryy]

I have tested all 3 now in the last few days.

When I left the car in Normal for the first day (Thursday) the normal few bumps I avoid (drain covers) near my house, I went over and could feel them more than previous times I've hit them (comfort). The motorway journey was normal, mainly 60mph, seemed fine although when on the old surface of the 1st lane, it sounded so loud was unbelievable.

Friday went for Comfort and clearly noticed that it was not so sharp going over the drains. Also went round one big island here rather nippy and it seemed to not like it, so would test that again on Sat. Motorway journey I never touched the 1st lane as it was rammed and traffic was more busy. Seemed quiet in the other lanes though. In general it was a lot more relaxed drive, so the little bumps you go over I think are a lot less noticeable. However, when you go over a raise in the ground it feels like you're on a roller-coaster in comfort compared to the other 2.

Sport was for Overtime on Saturday. A lot more empty roads and I wouldn't recommend driving over sharp drain covers. Jesus did I hear and feel that loud. Went around the island a tad faster (no cars around so why not) and the steering was definitely more responsive and wheel itself was more stiff to turn. Seemed like you could feel more feedback through it. It was very noisy compared to the day before on any surface. Had to turn the heating fans down 1 and the stereo up 1.

I didn't really feel difference before, but leaving them in for a whole day must give the system time to adjust as I could totally feel a difference, even being lowered 30mm.

I have to admit, regarding the throttle response too, I think it's like the whole 98ron / 95ron thing in cars that are not optimised for it. It's a mental thing that works for different people. Personally, when it was in sport mode I felt the car be more responsive in all areas. Now perhaps that is because the steering was more responsive and the car felt more alive that it heightened my senses which gave my brain the feeling of improved throttle response, but either way, it felt there was more to the 3 of them than just turning and comfort.

[matteeee]

Anyone of you who has lowed chassi with H&R sport suspension and still feels the clear difference between the three modes? I don't.

Yep! Defenately feel great difference between all three modes (and most between sport and comfort). Both before and after lowering!

[cornelce]

This is going to sound a bit silly but whilst test driving the roc a couple months ago, I definitely remember myself asking the dealer why is the steering wheel so stiff, and that was because it was in sport mode haha. Changing to comfort mode made a significant difference!

[Scott_mac]

It's amazing how quickly you adapt... my current Avensis is the first car i've owned that has power steering and it took me an age to get used to the light, lifeless feel of it! I'll probably love the Sport mode and find the suspension feels soft... if i hadn't spent 2 years in a luxo-barge!