Gold Standard

The Gold Standard (known as the Gold Kart in Europe and Australia) is an unlockable kart part in Mario Kart 7 and Mario Kart 8.

Mario Kart 7
In Mario Kart 7, it can be unlocked by collecting 20000 coins, or by earning 10000 VR in Wi-Fi races in Mario Kart 7. Much like the Pipe Frame, it alters the stats for the kart, though the stats boost are mirrored. The Gold Standard gives a good boost for speed and weight, but hinders in acceleration and off-road.

When the Gold Standard body is combined with the Gold Tires and Gold Glider, they complete the whole Gold Standard. This kart gives great speed (the 2nd biggest boost in the game) and good weight, but has a negative handling boost, and abysmal off-road (the worst in the game).

Mario Kart 8
The Gold Standard returns in Mario Kart 8. It has received a small detail change; instead of the character's insignia, the Gold Standard's logo is an embossed 8 with a wreath of olive leaves around it. Because of this, it and the GLA are the only kart bodies that doesn't show the character's insignia on it anywhere. It is unlocked by getting a star rank on every GP cup for each engine class. The Gold Standard offers a strong boost in speed and a slight boost in weight, but slightly hinders acceleration and highly hinders traction.

Mario Kart 7

 * Speed: +0.25
 * Acceleration: -0.25
 * Weight: +0.25
 * Handling: 0
 * Off-Road: -0.25

Whole Gold Standard

 * Speed: +1.25
 * Acceleration: -0.75
 * Weight: +0.75
 * Handling: -1.25
 * Off-Road: -2.75

Mario Kart 8

 * Speed: +0.5
 * Acceleration: -0.25
 * Weight: +0.25
 * Handling: 0
 * Traction: -1

Whole Gold Standard

 * Speed: +0.75
 * Acceleration: -0.75
 * Weight: +0.75
 * Handling: 0
 * Traction: -1.5

Trivia

 * The Gold Standard's steering wheel is gold, but in first person view, it remains black, unless the player has earned the Golden Steering Wheel.