Yep sure is, many VW's seem to go for this crap handling mod too. Many MOT stations are failing them as stretching tyres beyond manufacturer's recommendation is not good. I do laugh when I see them on the road. I'd like to see what their stopping distance in the wet is compared to a standard without the 'crap handling mod'
I didn't see this one on the tip to Ireland, although we did fly AerLingus, we may have been on it and wouldn't know as we boarded through tunnels. We used to have to walk on the tarmac and up the stairs.