First glimpse of VW's MKVII Golf 01 | 02 | 2012
VOLKSWAGEN HAS GIVEN us a teasing glimpse, seven months before it's unveiled in Paris, of how the seventh generation of the Golf will look.
Ok, it's missing a few body panels, but VW displayed the car in its bare platform and running gear at its Wolfsburg HQ in Germany.
Based on VW’s radical new MQB platform — which is designed to be stretchable from Polo to Passat size — the Golf will be the first of as many as 60 different models which will morph from the pioneering base.
According to VW insiders the new Golf will be much lighter than its predecessor, despite being significantly safer, and actually closer in weight to the MkIV.
In what is a significant engineering leap, the MQB, inanition to being an extremely flexible structure, is also an integral part of a new production system which will be adopted by VW factories all around the world.
The system allows the different vehicles to built on the same production lines, with production equipment designed to accommodate cars of different length, width and track.
VW reveals new five-door up!
What that also means is the factories will become multi-brand facilities, allowing VW, Seats, Skodas — even Audis — to be built on the same line. The projected cost savings are understandably significant.
Ingeniously, the MQB platform has been designed with a common engine mounting system, delivering a substantial step forward in terms of ease of production and assembly.
The result ensures both petrol and diesel motors are mounted in the same way and at the same angle of inclination.
VW has designed two new modular petrol and diesel engine ranges for the MQB, including an 800cc diesel and a turbocharged 1.2-litre petrol unit.
Following its unveiling at the Paris Motor Show in September, it's expected the new generation Golf will be in Scottish showrooms either towards the end of this year, or early 2013.
VW CC to start at £24,200
Keep up-to-date with all the latest news by following us on twitter.com/scotcars
Jim McGill