• Getting a bit more out of your Volkswagen
• What's included in the VWR Upgrade Package?
• Peace of Mind as Standard
• Upgrade Package Prices
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Background to Volkswagen Racing UK
• Other Volkswagen Racing Products

Frequently Asked Questions.

• What is the extra performance of the car?

Each of the VWR Upgrade Packages for the Golf or Scirocco increases the standard car's power output to 250bhp. This is a significant performance increase, which the customer will instantly feel when driving their car. Just as importantly, the torque level is increased significantly to 380Nm which will give much more response in the sort of 'real life' driving that most customers experience. Note that although Scirocco 2.0T GT and Golf GTI MK6 have different quoted power outputs as standard, as they are the same engine, both reach 250bhp with the VWR Upgrade Pack fitted.

• Will it affect my fuel economy?

Fuel consumption is predominantly influenced by the driver's driving style and usage. The additional power achieved by the VWR Upgrade comes through improving the efficiency of the engine. Surprisingly, this extra performance comes with minimal changes to the fuel economy.

In fact, in many cases, the improved efficiency of the engine means that average fuel economy may even improve after conversion. The explanation is that many drivers do not alter their driving behaviour after their car has the VWR upgrade, and thus the improved efficiency of the package allows the driver to achieve the speed they want with less throttle. So, for example, a VWR Upgrade car takes slightly less throttle to maintain a steady 70mph cruising speed than a standard one.

• Will it effect my car's reliability?

No, the VWR Upgrade Packages have been very carefully developed on track and road to stay well within the factory's tolerances for all aspects of the car's mechanical components. That is why we don't go higher than a power output of 250bhp, even though the engine is easily capable of it for a short time.

All Volkswagen components have a significant over-engineering tolerance in order to ensure that the factory can use these components safely over the lifetime of the vehicle with complete confidence. What this means is that every one of the VWR Upgrade Packages operate well within this tolerance range determined by the engineers.

• Will the car be noisier than standard with the VWR Performance Rear Exhaust?

The Performance Exhaust System has been carefully designed and developed over many miles of development testing to offer only a minor increase in the volume of the exhaust at steady throttle, yet deliver a much richer noise from the engine under hard acceleration.

So at idle or at steady speed on the motorway, cabin noise is well contained, whilst still expressing the emotion and individuality that the VWR Upgrade customers demand. This exhaust's noise level is entirely suitable for a car that is used everyday, and by any driver.

• Do the VWR sport springs give a stiff ride?

The VWR sport springs have been developed over many thousands of miles to work perfectly with the cars standard dampers. They are also fully compatible with the original ACC dampers. The specification of the springs are only around 10% stiffer than the originals, and lower the car by 20mm. These were chosen to still give the car a very similar ride quality to the standard car, yet reduce roll in corners and improve it's responses. A 20mm lowering gives the car a subtly lower stance on the road, but doesn't lead to any problems with wheel rubbing or ground clearance.

• Is the manufacturer's warranty affected?

Yes it is affected, which is why each VWR Upgrade Package includes additional warranty coverage. The VWR Upgrade Warranty covers only those aspects of the engine and drivetrain that can be proved to be affected by the fitment of the upgrade package. All other aspects of the vehicle's standard Volkswagen warranty are unaffected.

The VWR Upgrade Package supplementary warranty will exactly reflect the duration of the Volkswagen warranty supplied with the car, consisting of a two-year/unlimited mileage manufacturer's warranty and a third year warranty with a 60,000 miles limitation. Full details of the warranty coverage is provided in the warranty booklet, and will be supplied with each VWR Upgrade Package.

• Are these 'official' Volkswagen parts?

No. These are developed as performance-enhancing parts for selected performance Volkswagen cars, and so are not official Volkswagen parts, and they don't have Volkswagen part numbers. This is why they are only available through the VWR Upgrade Programme through selected Volkswagen Retailers rather than through the general parts system.