Custom Tune:

I’ve spent so much time and energy researching the tune to give up now. I have consulted tuning experts, engineers, car enthusiasts, and the internet. By no means do I consider any of this a waste of time, including the unsuccessful installation of the Cobb tune. I have acquired much knowledge, and more importantly, reassessed how much I don’t actually know. This gap in my knowledge has become more acute, leading to better questions and a deeper understanding of the responses.

The result. I have decided to go with a custom tune by Evolve Technik. Why? Evolve Technik was one of two tuners that provided an opportunity to discuss in detail their tuning process, and most importantly consider what it was I wanted from the tune. Evolve Tecnik don’t install an APR or other commercial OTS tune and their performance figures are set conservatively within the OEM max power and torque specs. This is done to ensure that drivability, longevity and reliability are maintained. For reference, they quote 217kw and 420nm for my GTI.

The process …

It is a two-stage process with Evolve Technik. Firstly the car is scanned for health, checking for any codes that could indicate issues that would limit the tunes effectiveness, or reveal underlying problems with the car. Once the car is scanned, the ECU and TCU stock maps are downloaded to the computer. This file is sent to their tuner in Germany for review, and as a reference point from which to develop the custom tune. 

The Evolve Technik workshop bodes well for one’s confidence. There is an assortment of high-end European cars and several Porsches under preparation for the Porsche GT3 Cup. Walking into the workshop could easily be a humbling journey, but the approach of Evolve Technik is to enhance the performance of all cars in consultation with what the owner wants to achieve. Driving is an individual experience, defined by the interaction of one’s style, skill, and type of driving enjoyed. I felt my questions answered, time valued and the car respected as much as any racing car in the venue.

It is important to note that this tune is TUV-approved. TUV certification is difficult to obtain in Germany, which indicates that the product has reached specific levels of safety and reliability. The tune is specific to your vehicle, based on the OEM max specs for power and torque that the engine and gearbox can accommodate. This does not mean power and torque go all the way to 10. Rather some distance is kept from these max points so as not to stress components. Moreover, the remap remains sympathetic to the original driving experience of the car, including the traction control and differential settings.

The second part of the process is to return to Evolve Technik to install and test the tune. This was important to me following the Cobb tune. Evolve Technik are confident with their work, so much so, that once the car is tested by a technician, you can test drive the tune and decide whether or not to purchase it. No pressure, no obligation.

Intitial Observations:

I've been living with the tune for about a week now. I haven't had the opportunity to take the car for a spirited run through the hills, or even conduct any more than some pulls at 70% to around 80km. However what I can say is that there is more power, more torque and the acceleration difference is therefore noticeable. Essentially it is linear and progressive rather than aggressive and manageable like with the Cobb tune. The drivability has not been compromised, traction can be modulated with throttle input and the gear shift is more responsive whether in auto or manual mode. I haven't yet been able to test whether the car will kick down to second gear when approaching a corner under high revs. This was a noticeable and frustrating element of the GTI. The car no longer will override and change out of first, I can hold the revs and change when I like. In doing so the car feels far more responsive and yet does not seem under duress. Each mode, Eco, Comfort, Normal and Sport are all enhanced via different maps, and the car feels less doughy in Comfort mode.

Next is to take a drive on my favourite roads - https://www.theburntclutch.com/driving/best-driving-roads-part-1

Thanks for reading.