Our latest build is here: JDM MK7 Golf GTI
Following the success of our previous tyre tests, we’re excited to unveil our latest project for 2025 – a MK7 Golf GTI that will serve as the testing platform for our upcoming high performance road tyre comparison. This time, we’re focusing on tyres that offer the perfect balance of everyday drivability while still being capable of delivering serious performance on track days.
The beauty of this category lies in its versatility – these are tyres you can confidently drive to work on Monday morning, then push hard at your local circuit on the weekend without missing a beat. To properly evaluate this exciting segment, we needed the perfect testing platform.
The Foundation
Enter our freshly imported MK7 Golf GTI – the perfect canvas for a clubsport inspired build. The vision is simple: create a car that remains comfortable and usable for daily driving while being equipped with all the necessary upgrades to hold its own on track. Think of it as the ultimate dual-purpose machine that can handle a trip to the shops and a spirited track day with equal competence.
The build is taking place at Area Motorsport under the expert guidance of Rob Baker and his team – widely regarded as the go-to specialists for the MQB platform. Their attention to detail and deep understanding of these cars makes them the perfect partners for this project.
Starting Right: Service and Maintenance
Before any performance modifications, our GTI is receiving a comprehensive service using premium products. We’re filling the sump with Liqui Moly Molygen 5W-40, a cutting-edge fully synthetic oil that incorporates advanced friction modifier technology. The Molygen additives create a protective layer that significantly reduces friction and wear, particularly during cold starts and high-stress driving conditions. This translates to better engine protection, improved fuel economy, and enhanced performance – exactly what you want when pushing hard on track. Genuine Volkswagen filters complete the service, ensuring optimal filtration and flow characteristics.
Suspension and Braking: Yellow Speed Racing
For the chassis setup, we’re turning to a brand that we’ve been the European Distributor of for a long-time, Yellow Speed Racing. The Dynamic Pro Sport coilover system strikes the perfect balance between road comfort and track capability – a philosophy that aligns perfectly with our tyre test objectives. These coilovers have been our go-to suspension choice for many years, and with good reason. They offer the adjustability and performance you need for serious driving while maintaining the compliance necessary for daily use.
While the Golf comes with the Performance Pack brakes from the factory, we’re taking stopping power to the next level with YSR’s 6-piston front big brake kit paired with Hawk HP+ brake pads. This combination provides the additional braking performance needed to properly test our tyre lineup while remaining civilised enough for everyday driving. The progressive pedal feel and reduced fade characteristics will be crucial when pushing these tyres to their limits on track.
Breathing Easy: Intake and Exhaust Upgrades
Power upgrades begin with a Milltek catback exhaust system. Beyond the significantly improved soundtrack that every GTI deserves, the Milltek system flows considerably better than the restrictive OEM setup, unlocking additional horsepower that will help us better evaluate each tyre’s grip limits.
Complementing the exhaust is a Racingline Performance R600 intake system – a popular choice among MQB owners for excellent reasons. The R600 features a high-flow design with optimised airbox geometry that offers smooth airflow. Its enclosed design protects against heat soak while the high-quality filter ensures excellent filtration.
Essential Track Protection: Oil Management
Any EA888-powered car heading to the track requires proper oil management, which is why we’re installing a Racingline oil catch tank kit. Not all catch tank systems are created equal, and this system demonstrates why quality matters.
The 2.0 TSI EA888.3 engine has a tendency to retain oil under excessive braking G-forces, with oil pooling at the front of the engine. This leads to those telltale smoke clouds and, more seriously, potential oil starvation. Racingline’s solution features a built-in engine baffle plate that aids oil control while their 3-way baffled catch tank effectively collects excess moisture and oil vapour.
The system keeps your intercooler and inlet tracts clear of oil build-up, ensuring clean airflow through the inlet manifold – critical for consistent performance during extended track sessions.
Power and Tuning
With the breathing upgrades in place, our GTI will receive both engine and gearbox remapping here at Tegiwa. These same remaps are available to our customers. Combined with the supporting modifications, we’re targeting just over 300 horsepower – a healthy increase that will provide the performance needed to properly stress-test our tyre lineup.
Wheels and Tyres
Completing the build is a set of TSW Imatra wheels in 18×9 ET45 fitment. This specification allows us to mount a tyre size of 235/40/18 while providing the lower offset needed to clear our upgraded front brakes. The wider wheel also enables us to fit a much more substantial tyre than the factory setup, maximising the contact patch for each compound we’ll be testing.
All Parts Available at Tegiwa.com
Every component in this build is available through Tegiwa.com, making it easy for customers to replicate this setup or cherry-pick the upgrades that suit their needs and budget. From the Liqui Moly oil and Yellow Speed Racing suspension components to the Racingline intake and Milltek exhaust, we’ve ensured that everything used in this build is readily accessible to our customers.
What’s Next?
With the build currently on the go, we’re eagerly anticipating getting this GTI to the track for our tyre test. Each tyre will be evaluated across multiple criteria including lap times, price, durability and overall driving experience.
Stay tuned for the full tyre lineup – we have a feeling this is going to be one of our most revealing tyre comparisons yet. The high performance road tyre category is more competitive than ever, and with our upgraded Golf GTI as the testing platform, we’ll be able to push each compound to its limits and provide you with the definitive verdict on which tyre deserves a place on your car.
The perfect daily driver that can handle track duty awaits – and so do the results that will help you make the right tyre choice for your own dual-purpose machine.