The New Volkswagen Golf

Volkswagen is sending a new Golf out into the world, the best of all times. The Volkswagen Golf is a phenomenon, regardless of its particular generation. Positioned in the compact class, this style icon defies all automotive and social class distinctions. No other car in this price segment has even come close to reaching as large a cross-section of people. The Volkswagen Golf is the only one that always fits right, and the new one is even better fitting.

It was perfected in every detail. It is also the quest for perfection that has elevated the styling of the Volkswagen Golf to a new level. The team headed up by the Group’s chief designer, the Italian Walter de Silva, has succeeded in giving the Volkswagen Golf a presence, a sharpness, a power that generates even more fun. Fun to look at and fun to drive. An intelligent car. Data such as an average fuel consumption of 4.5 liters per 100 kilometers for a 110 PS TDI put fuel prices in their place. Upon request, the VW Golf can park itself nearly automatically in the city thanks to “Park Assist”, it can maintain an ideal gap on the freeway by distance control (ACC), and at the push of a button it can transform itself from a cruiser to a sports car when the new “DCC Adaptive Chassis Control” system is on board.

Above all, the car exhibits a standard of quality never before attained in this price class. Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board at Volkswagen AG sums it up: “This sixth generation of Volkswagen Golf cars will completely redefine the quality and comfort level of its class over broad categories, offering more customer value than ever before”. In Europe the new Volkswagen Golf will be introduced to the market in October. Following in succession will be Africa, Asia, Australia and North America.

Low-noise comfort – the quietest Volkswagen Golf since the model series began

The new VW Golf is characterized by first-class acoustic properties. A special sound-damping film in the windshield reduces driving noises, as does the newly developed seal design on the doors and side window guides. Significantly less wind noise is generated by the outside mirrors due to their new shape. Furthermore, special modifications were made to better isolate the engine and passenger compartments from one another acoustically. Quiet rolling tires and new engine bearings round out the noise reduction program.

Diesel engines – the shift to common rail injection

Making a significant contribution to the pioneering acoustic properties of the Volkswagen Golf are the exceptionally quiet common rail TDI engines being implemented on the Volkswagen Golf for the first time. Two balancer shafts (from 103 kW / 140 PS) also eliminate undesirable vibrations. Plans call for a TDI power range from 66 kW / 90 PS to 125 kW / 170 PS. Right at its market launch Volkswagen will be offering two 2.0 liter TDI engines on the Volkswagen Golf; they deliver 81 kW / 110 PS and 103 kW / 140 PS. Always there: a diesel particulate filter (DPF).

The new TDIs are exceptionally fuel efficient. The 110 PS strong diesel is satisfied with just 4.5 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers (119 g/km CO2) – that represents a 0.6 liter reduction in fuel consumption! Even the 140-PS version only requires 4.9 liters of diesel (129 g/km CO2), which is 0.6 liter less than the on the previous generation.

Gasoline engines – more fuel efficient than ever before

In the launch phase, four variants will define the range of gasoline engines with 59 kW / 80 PS, 75 kW / 102 PS, 90 kW / 122 PS and 118 kW / 160 PS. Starting at 90 kW / 122 PS, TSI engines with supercharging and/or turbocharging are used. The fact is: the gasoline engines are also pioneers in economy. The optimized 80-PS entry-level engine consumes just 6.4 liters Super per hundred kilometers (149 g/km CO2) – that is 0.5 liter less than its predecessor. The TSI engines once again make their appearance as prime examples of efficiency: with 122 PS the new Golf 1.4 TSI consumes just 6.2 liters Super (144 g/km CO2); this represents a fuel consumption advantage of 0.1 liters. Even the new 160-PS top version of the 1.4 TSI achieves a top value at 6.3 liters. The 160-PS TSI’s fuel consumption too was lowered by 1.6 liters compared to the retired 150-PS FSI.

DSG – replaces conventional automatic

With the exception of the entry-level versions, all gasoline and diesel engines may be paired with Volkswagen’s dual clutch transmission (DSG). Either a 6-speed or 7-speed DSG is used, depending on engine torque. This means that on the VW Golf the extremely efficient and agile DSG has replaced the classic torque converter automatic. Just how economical the alliance of TSI plus DSG can be is demonstrated by the example of average fuel consumption on the 1.4 TSI with 160 PS and 7-speed DSG: 6.0 liters (139 g/km CO2). This high-tech duo replaces the 2.0 FSI with 150 PS and 6-speed automatic. Average fuel consumption there: 8.3 liters. Savings: 2.3 liters per hundred kilometers or 28 percent – progress at its best.

The New Volkswagen Golf

Volkswagen is unveiling its most important automotive secret of the year: the new Volkswagen Golf. The car - Europe's most successful with more than 26 million sold - was improved in all areas. "This sixth generation of Golf cars will completely redefine the quality and comfort level of its class over broad categories, offering more customer value than ever before", says Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board at Volkswagen AG. The European market launch of the new Volkswagen Golf will begin in October; following in succession will be Africa, Asia, Australia and North America. The entry price for the German market is around 16,500 Euros.

Innovative power - the Volkswagen Golf democratizes progress

The clear and powerful design of the new Volkswagen Golf is showing the entire brand the way to the future. Its acoustic properties and the overall comfort of the Volkswagen tear down class distinctions. Innovative engines and transmission technologies lower fuel consumption by up to 28 percent. All gasoline and diesel engines satisfy limits of the future EU-5 standard.

Assistance systems such as "automatic distance control" (ACC), "adaptive chassis control" (DCC) and the "park steering assistant" bring additional top technologies on board the Volkswagen Golf. A new ESP system, with finer response over its control range, further optimized crash properties, seven airbags including knee airbag, the special head restraints (WOKS) that counteract whiplash trauma, a "seatbelt detection" feature debuting in the rear seating area of the Volkswagen Golf and daytime running lights - that are standard equipment - provide for a maximum level of safety.

Interior - imploding class distinctions

The car's exceptional value also applies to the newly designed interior, whose refined surfaces and features completely transform class distinctions, both to the touch and visually, especially in the cockpit area. The appearance and layout of materials and details such as brushed chrome accents and round instruments derived directly from those of the Volkswagen Passat CC leave the impression that one is actually sitting in a car of the next higher segment. Ergonomic properties of the car's interior were also further developed. For example, all operating controls are even easier to use. They include the control of the automatic climate control system (Climatronic) - presented for the first time on the Passat CC - and the power window controls that are now located further forward in the door trim, making them easier to access.

There is a common thread here: Volkswagen's typical attention to perfection of every detail in the car. Take the example of "seatbelt detection" in the rear: if the Volkswagen Golf is ordered with rear side airbags, the user can recognize on the multifunctional display in the cockpit whether the occupants have their seatbelts fastened in the rear - separately for each seat. Or take the example of leather seats: a new, more robust leather surface is being used. Or the example of the cargo area: four practical hooks ensure that after shopping, the contents of shopping bags are not strewn across the cargo area. Or the example of the outside mirrors: thanks to an aerodynamically optimized shape they get significantly less dirty. They are easier to adjust from the interior, since the power mirror adjustment control is now located further up and more forward in the door trim.

Noise reduction - the quietest Volkswagen Golf since the first model

The new Volkswagen Golf is characterized by first-class acoustic properties. A special damping film in the windshield also reduces driving noises, as does the newly developed seal concept for the doors and side window guides. The new shape of the outside mirrors also significantly reduces wind noise. Furthermore, special modifications were made to acoustically isolate the engine and passenger compartments from one another better. Very quiet rolling tires and new engine bearings round out the noise reduction package.

Diesel engines - migration to common rail injection

Making a significant contribution to the pioneering acoustic properties are the exceptionally quiet TDI common rail engines being used in the Volkswagen Golf for the first time. Two balancer shafts also put an end to undesirable vibrations. Plans call for a TDI power range extending from 66 kW / 90 PS to 125 kW / 170 PS. Right at the market launch, Volkswagen will be offering the VW Golf with two 2.0 liter TDI engines; they output 81 kW / 110 PS and 103 kW / 140 PS. Always there as production equipment: a diesel particulate filter (DPF).

The new TDIs are exceptionally fuel efficient. The 110 PS strong entry-level diesel is satisfied with 4.5 liters of fuel (119 g/km CO2) per 100 kilometers - that represents a 0.6 liter reduction! Even the 140 PS version only requires 4.9 liters of diesel (129 g/km CO2), which is 0.6 liters less.

Gasoline engines - more economical than ever before

Four variants will define the range of gasoline engines in the launch phase: 59 kW / 80 PS, 75 kW / 102 PS, 90 kW / 122 PS and 118 kW / 160 PS. Starting at 90 kW / 122 PS, the TSI engines come with supercharger and/or turbocharger. The fact is that the gasoline engines too are pioneering when it comes to fuel economy. The optimized 80 PS entry-level engine consumes just 6.4 liters of Super per hundred kilometers (149 g/km CO2) - that is 0.5 liters less than the previous model. The other TSI engines are also taking the stage as prime examples of efficiency: at 122 PS the new Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI consumes just 6.2 liters of Super (144 g/km CO2); this yields a fuel consumption advantage of 0.1 liters. Even the new 160 PS top version of the 1.4 TSI attains an excellent value at 6.3 liters. Compared to the retired 150 PS FSI, the 160 PS TSI's fuel consumption was even lowered by 1.6 liters.

DSG - replaces conventional automatic

With the exception of the entry-level versions, all gasoline and diesel engines can be paired with Volkswagen's dual clutch transmission (DSG). Depending on the engine torque, either a 6-s0eed or 7-speed DSG is used. On the VW Golf, the extremely efficient and agile DSG has thereby replaced the classic torque converter automatic. Just how efficient the alliance of TSI plus DSG can be is demonstrated by the average fuel consumption of the 1.4 TSI with 160 PS and 7-speed DSG: 6.0 liters (139 g/km CO2). This high-tech duo replaces the 2.0 FSI with 150 PS and 6-speed automatic. Average fuel consumption there: 8.3 liters. Savings: 2.3 liters per hundred kilometers or 28 percent - progress in its best form.