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Automotive

Volkswagen premieres seventh generation Golf in Berlin

By Darren Quick
September 05, 2012
Volkswagen premieres seventh generation Golf in Berlin
The new 7th generation Golf adopts the Volkswagen Groups MQB platform
The new 7th generation Golf adopts the Volkswagen Groups MQB platform
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The new 7th generation Golf adopts the Volkswagen Groups MQB platform
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The new 7th generation Golf adopts the Volkswagen Groups MQB platform
VW unveiled the new Golf at an invitation only event in Berlin
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VW unveiled the new Golf at an invitation only event in Berlin
The new Golf – rear view
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The new Golf – rear view
The new Golf – side view
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The new Golf – side view
The new Golf – front view
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The new Golf – front view
The new Golf boasts a new body, powertrain and interior
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The new Golf boasts a new body, powertrain and interior
The new Golf
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The new Golf
The new Golf – rear side angle
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The new Golf – rear side angle
The new Golf's interior
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The new Golf's interior
The new Golf's instrument cluster
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The new Golf's instrument cluster
View gallery - 10 images

No doubt hoping to position its new Golf as a modern classic, Volkswagen chose Berlin’s New National Gallery as the location for the invitation only world premiere of the seventh generation of its best-selling small family car on Tuesday. The move to the Volkswagen Group’s Modular Transverse Matrix (Modularer Querbaukasten or MQB) platform means that the new Golf has had a complete redesign, with a new body, powertrain and interior.

The switch to the MQB platform shared with numerous vehicles including the VW up!, the Skoda Citigo and the third generation Audi A3, has also resulted in a vehicle that is up to 100 kg (220 lb) lighter than the previous model while being 2.24 inches (57 mm) longer and 0.52 inches (13 mm) wider. The weight reduction means the new model is also up to 23 percent more fuel efficient with the 140 hp petrol engine version, which also features cylinder deactivation, getting 4.8 l/100 km (49 US mpg) combined and producing 112 g of CO2 per kilometer.

All engine versions will also get a standard stop/start systems and battery regeneration. The common rail diesel engine outputting 77 kW (105 PS) boasts fuel economy of 3.8 l/100 km (61.9 US mpg) and CO2 emissions of 99 g/km. However, the Golf BlueMotion boasts the even more impressive fuel economy figures of 3.2 liters of diesel per 100 km (73.5 US mpg) and CO2 emissions of 85 g/km.

The new Golf's interior
The new Golf's interior

The company says the interior is also more spacious and comfortable, with new information and entertainment systems, along with a range of new assistance systems.

Pricing for the new Golf hasn’t been revealed, but more details could be forthcoming when the vehicle makes its expected public debut at the Paris Motor Show that kicks off at the end of the month.

Source: Volkswagen

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AutomotiveVolkswagenParis Motor Show 2012
5 comments
Darren Quick
Darren Quick
Darren's love of technology started in primary school with a Nintendo Game & Watch Donkey Kong (still functioning) and a Commodore VIC 20 computer (not still functioning). In high school he upgraded to a 286 PC, and he's been following Moore's law ever since. This love of technology continues as Managing Editor of New Atlas.

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EUbrainwashing
I sold new VW cars for 15 years at a London dealership - just about from the start of the Mk1 golf. I am sure this is a cracking new model, improved in many ways, but I just cannot see the difference between this model and the previous one - maybe I need new glasses. And I thought the previous model had just come out yet now it is being replaced. I like to drive a new model car or rather one that is a current model shape. I like to try and dispose of my cars whilst they still look like the new model in the showrooms. That policy is hard to maintain with the speed these VW's keep popping up. The Golf I had a few short years ago looks a right old donkey now already two generations old - I am glad I got shot of it (plus its DSG transmission made some worrying noises). I took a new Volvo V70 nearly 3 years ago, it was already a 3 year old model at that time, a new model is not due to replave this Volvo for 3 years more yet. I will have the car up over 100,000mls by that time and sell the car whilst it still looks like the current model. That way I get great value for money motoring. And my roomy 'all options' Volvo 2.5 5cyl diesel did not cost any more than the same spec of VW Golf would have cost - indeed probably less with the deal I enjoyed.
John in Brisbane
@ EUbrainwashing - haven't you argued against yourself? If the new model looks like the old model, doesn't that help resale values of the old model?
Re - the new Golf - I've noted with amusement and disappointment for well over a decade now that car makers crow about the improved fuel specifics of each new engine but then the benefits are all but wasted by all the extra weight in each new model! In the case of GM Astra and Toyota Corolla, they kept the old motor and made the new bodies up to 200kg heavier! Car weights are like an arms race - heavier = quieter and bigger and then all the competitors do the same. Result? The current Corolla and BMW 1 series are bigger than their respective Camry and 3 Series next-size-up siblings were only a few models ago!
For this reason, I commend VW. They're lowering the weight of the Golf, which is the target vehicle of both the Corolla and Astra, so the US and Japanese competitors are sure to follow. Its a good trend in what is likely to be the most popular segment worldwide. In the bigger picture though, I reckon governments should mandate a gradual weight reduction in vehicles so that over a decade or two, the number of kilos per occupant drops markedly, hence reducing the energy required. Audi tried to start a trend with the A2 in the 90s - remember that over-priced, aluminium-bodied car? I only ever saw one in the wild and that was in London in 2003.
Dr.Veritas
I love cars. They are my passion. What makes me ill is the lack of choices we have here in the USA.
VW will not bring the Scirocco back to our shores (the hell with what the customer wants it will compete against the GTI?) and probably even worse from an economy standpoint is we can't get many diesel options here.
I'm sure the Golf Blue Motion is fabulous but doubt we will see any such model over here.
VW is a great company but I am not sure who has run their marketing department for the last 4 decades because they missed a classic opportunity.
Chrysler "we invented the minivan", ??
VW "zzzzzzzzz" !!!
Why not "we've been making minivans since the 50s!"
Volkswagen please bring us your best models and we will buy them. While your at it, drop the prices on your parts! My Porsche has cheaper parts.
EUbrainwashing
@Hogey74 To clarify. Continuity of appearance between new and old models do help maintain residual values. That is the idea of not making too radical a change. Cars that the new model is a big change make a respectively big fall in value. The new Jaguars have trashed the old model's values. The new 911 hardly makes a dent on the the old models.
Old models of cars that have slightly modified new version do not look so 'old' until the new model becomes a familiar sight on the road - that process takes about 6 months. But nevertheless old models start to fall in value as soon as the new models arrival becomes know-about by the dealers and falls even more when the customers start to look at your 'old' model car as being less attractive to buy. A low miles old model can worth less than a high miles new model.
I like to own new shape models because I am a big head and have always driven the latest cars (a habit originally sponsored by my employers). And if I time it right I can dispose of my car at the right point in its model cycle to maximise its residual value.
EUbrainwashing
@Dr. Veritas - VW have been notorious through their history in apparently not following-up on their innovative success in what would appear to be a logical and commercially prudent manner.
As a salesman for VW in the 1980's I could not understand why they did not produce a brake servo for the right hand drive Polos, make a Golf diesel at a price and volume that allowed the car a chance to sell in fleets, call the Jetta a Golf saloon, make a GTI and Convertible with power steering, make a powerful luxury Golf automatic with leather and air-con and a turbo quattro with right hand drive, leather, automatic, air-con and so on.
It was as if they were deliberately limiting their opportunity for success. But whatever they were doing that was apparently wrong they have managed to deliver themselves to a point far in advance of expectations today. AUDI is thrashing BMW and MB. VW make truly excellent cars by which all others can be measured.
Car production is a long term strategic game and I can only suppose some of the apparently obvious sort-term opportunities (diversions?) have to be passed-up to be certain to reach the most commercially viable resolution.