First images of MkVII VW Golf 05 | 09 | 2012
THESE ARE THE first official images of the all-new MkVII VW Golf which will go on sale in Scotland in November (see more official photos of the MkVII VW Golf). Released today in Berlin, the details of the new Golf give the first full details of the car which will go head-to-head with the likes of the Ford Focus and Vauxhall Astra.
So significant is the launch of the new Golf that VW promises it will revolutionise what people expect from a family hatch, with ultra-efficient engines and huge amounts of technology.
Without question, the headlines will be grabbed by the 103bhp, 1.6-litre diesel-powered BlueMotion model which will deliver 88.3mpg and 85g/km CO2.
In fairness, as you can see from our first exclusive images, there's nothing revolutionary about the new Golf’s looks. No matter how you look at the car, it's still a VW Golf: and there's nothing to be ashamed bout that statement.
VW has lowered the roof by 28mm, with the sole aim of creating a sportier profile. The styling is also set off by a bold feature line running the length of the doors.
Noticeably, the lights are more angular front and rear, while the larger bumpers lend the new Golf a touch of the outgoing GTI model’s sporty style.
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The new Golf sits on the VW Group's all-new MQB platform, the same platform which will support the latest generation Audi A3. The MQB combines a high-strength steel body and lighter engines to reduce the kerbweight by a total of 100kg.
That weight-saving is even more impressive given the fact the new Golf is 56mm longer and 13mm wider than the MkVI it replaces.
And, impressively, the new MkVII is the cleanest Golf yet; in ultra-efficient 1.6 TDI BlueMotion spec it manages 88.3mpg and emits just 85g/km of CO2. That's better even than the Polo BlueMotion.
Not to be outdone, the petrol engines are eco-friendly, too. The 1.4-litre TSI — fitted with with cylinder deactivation as standard, which means it can run on two cylinders — joins the line-up achieving 58.8mpg and 112g/km of CO2.
The new Golf will be available with a host of new transversely mounted four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines. Insiders suggest, at full capacity, this could eventually result in 12 powerplants.
Automatic stop-start and brake energy recuperation systems will come as standard on all models, resulting in claimed reductions of up to 33% in CO2 emissions.
Naturally, the model with perhaps the biggest interest will be the new Golf GTI. Set to be launched late next year, alongside a more powerful Golf R, both will be powered by a new powerplant developed in partnership with Audi. Slotted into the new GTI, it's claimed to produce 222bhp. The more heavily tuned R gets a 276bhp version.
A standard five and six-speed manual units, plus the optional six and seven-speed dual-clutch units, will be available across the range.
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Anyone prioritising a four-wheel drive 4Motion Golf will have to wait until next year before the models arrive in the UK.
But, in addition to the significant changes under the bonnet, the new MkVII Golf boasts noticeable improvements in the cabin. There's a newly designed layout that gets a driver-angled centre console, while a touchscreen infotainment is fitted as standard on high-spec models.
The driver’s seat has shifted back by 20mm, the position of the gear lever has been raised by 20mm and the distance between the throttle and brake pedals has increased by 16mm.
The cabin also benefits from being roomier. In addition to the extra 15mm improvement in rear legroom, there's also a 31mm and 30mm improvements in shoulder room for the front and rear seat occupants respectively. Boot space has also been improved by 30 litres over the outgoing Golf, to 380 litres.
As you would expect, safety is paramount on the new MkVII VW Golf. There's autobraking, fatigue detection, lane assist and a system that pre-tensions the seatbelts and closes the windows before an accident.
Impressively, VW claims that the new Golf won’t cost any more than the existing car, too. That means a price of around £17,000 when it goes on sale early next year.
Roadtest: VW Golf GTI Cabriolet
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Jim McGill