Recently, a brand new VW Golf R 2024 arrived at ATOMIC. The car was straight from the dealership, with mileage like a test-drive car, and its appearance was flawless. At first glance, it seemed like a car you could simply get in and drive, even on the track. But it’s not that simple.
The client came to us with a clear task: improve the car’s handling on the track, without sacrificing comfort or daily driving characteristics. All modifications needed to be completely reversible, meaning they could be easily returned to factory settings after track days. Additionally, the client requested that the total cost of the Volkswagen Golf R MK8.5 tuning be between 10% and 20% of the car’s original price.
In other words, we weren’t tasked with building a full track project but with making a convenient, predictable, and lively hatchback that could be used every day while still being capable of track days or Touristenfahrten at the Nürburgring . Therefore, we conditionally named the project the “Gentleman's Package” — a minimal set of modifications that doesn’t compromise comfort but brings back control over the car.
Test Drive and Identified Issues
Upon arrival at the workshop, we conducted a test drive on the Nürburgring circuit to assess its performance and identify the main problems.
During the test, several critical issues were noticed:
- Soft brakes — the brake pedal became soft, which created problems during rapid braking.
- Severe understeering — the car required constant effort in corners, constantly trying to go straight.
- Stock tires’ poor grip — the car slid during turns, especially in cold weather.
- Electronic issues — the system didn’t allow the use of kick-down, limiting acceleration capabilities out of turns.
Our Solutions
Suspension Improvements:
- Installed APR SUS00017 springs, with 60% increased stiffness on the front axle and 40% on the rear. This significantly improved the car's stability without sacrificing its comfort for city driving.
- Replaced the bump stops: long factory bump stops were replaced with short APR SUS00025 bump stops on the front and rear axles to avoid the bump stops working under high loads, greatly improving the track's handling.
- Replaced the factory elastic silent blocks with metal ones, HARDRACE Q0077. This reduced longitudinal wheel movement under load and allowed us to maintain wheel geometry in track conditions precisely.
- Replaced the ball joints with HARDRACE Q0821 and the front strut mounts with EURO SPORT 18700K-KIT. These changes allowed us to adjust the camber, turning the understeering issue into almost neutral handling.
Braking System:
- Replaced the cast iron calipers with lighter calipers, reducing mass by 5 kg per caliper. This significantly reduced unsprung weight.
- Installed lightweight PFC 340.496.64 and PFC 340.496.63 discs, further improving the braking system’s efficiency.
- Upgraded brake pads: PFC 7781.331.15.44 front pads were installed to ensure stable performance under heavy braking loads.
Wheels and Tires:
- Installed BBS RI039DB 19x9 wheels with Pirelli Trofeo R 245/35-19 tires, which provide excellent grip on the road and reduce the car’s weight compared to the original wheels. These wheels provide stability and improve grip on the track, which is essential for optimal handling.
- Mounted FLOW DESIGNS TXMK8RF splitter to the car’s frame rails. As a structural component, it significantly increases downforce on the front axle — a critical enhancement for this model. Unlike conventional splitters that merely bolt or rivet onto the bumper, this design not only stiffens the front bumper assembly but also delivers improved front-end grip, resulting in markedly better handling on the road.
Testing and Results
After the modifications, the car was tested on a certified TÜV test track, where we conducted detailed tests on the braking system and suspension.
Braking System Test:
- Cold system braking: The car accelerated to 160 km/h and stopped completely. This test showed the high efficiency of the new braking system even in cold conditions.
- 20 cycles of acceleration and braking: From 100 km/h to 40 km/h confirmed the stability of the braking system even under constant stress.
- Hot system braking: The car accelerated to 160 km/h and stopped completely, demonstrating the effectiveness of the brakes at high temperatures.
- 3 cycles of acceleration and braking from 240 km/h to a full stop demonstrated excellent stability and braking efficiency at high speeds.
Suspension Test:
- Diagonal lift of the car with full wheel turns in both directions to check the clearances between the tires and the body. The test showed that the suspension has sufficient ground clearance and does not allow contact between the wheels and the body.
- 5 laps on the test track with handling checks in different ESP modes: normal mode, race mode, and off ESP. The results showed that the car became more stable, and handling improved in all three modes.
Summary
The testing showed significant improvements in both the braking system and the car's handling. All modifications helped create an optimal balance between track performance and daily use comfort. This confirms that the changes were successful and significantly improved the car’s performance, making it more suitable for track conditions without sacrificing city usability.
Volkswagen Golf R 8.5 — a powerful car that handles city roads well, but on the track, the car doesn’t fully reveal its potential due to poor handling and understeering. ATOMIC successfully completed the first stage of the VW Golf R 8.5 tuning project, as confirmed by the testing and trial results. The current modifications have greatly improved the car’s handling, stability, and performance. Meanwhile, we maintained comfort, daily usability, and stayed within the client’s requested budget. But this is not the limit — at the start of the project, we agreed on a second stage of VW Golf R MK8.5 performance upgrades with the client. We will discuss this in the next article about the Golf R 8.5 upgrade.
Conclusion
Don’t settle for the Volkswagen Golf R 8.5 stock version. Order your tuning package now to transform your brand-new Golf R MK8.5 into a car suitable for both the track and everyday use.
For those looking to take their VW Golf R MK8.5 tuning even further, consider exploring VW Golf R 8.5 suspension mods, Volkswagen Golf R 8.5 brake upgrades, and VW Golf R MK8.5 wheel spacers to enhance both performance and handling. When selecting Volkswagen Golf R 8.5 tuning parts, ensure that they meet VW Golf R MK8.5 TÜV approval for legal compliance in Germany, as well as ensuring that the modifications align with your goals for both track days and everyday driving.
Are you ready to make your Golf R 8.5 the ultimate road and track machine? Contact ATOMIC, a trusted VW Golf R 8.5 tuning company in Germany, and get started on your tuning journey. For more information and Volkswagen Golf R 8.5 tuning reviews, feel free to explore the details and decide which parts will best fit your needs.
