Motor Authority - blog Category: New Golf

Volkswagen’s MkVI Golf has been on sale for less than a year (in most parts of the globe) but development on the next-generation of the popular compact is already well underway in Germany.

Recently we saw spy shots depicting the first test-mules of the MkVII Golf, which revealed that it will come with a wider stance than the current model. We now have an image of a semi-complete clay model of the upcoming car, which was accidentally captured on an official Volkswagen promo video for the recently revealed L1 concept car.

Volkswagen has since edited the video to remove the leak but thanks to the guys at Auto Motor und Sport we have this...

Volkswagen’s MkVI Golf has been on sale for less than a year (in most parts of the globe) but development on the next-generation of the popular compact is already well underway in Germany. Recently we saw spy shots depicting the first test-mules of the MkVII Golf, which revealed that it will come with a wider stance than the current model. We now have an image of a semi-complete clay model of the upcoming car, which was accidentally captured on an official Volkswagen promo video for the recently revealed L1 concept car. Volkswagen has since edited the video to remove the leak but thanks to the guys at Auto Motor und Sport we have this screen shot of the clay model. The design shows clear links to the new Scirocco and Polo, with a pronounced front end and narrow headlights. But why such a short life-cycle for the current MkVI? The reason is simple--the car essentially rides on a warmed over MkV platform. A three to four year cycle for a car is short by any standards, and this hastily planned shift reveals the defensive tack Volkswagen is taking with the Golf in light of the struggling car market. Earlier this year, confidential papers leaked from the automaker’s Wolfsburg headquarters revealed that the MkVI Golf has been marked for “End of Production” by December 2011. According to the same papers, Volkswagen is expecting to sell less than 1.6 million units of the MkVI. The MkV, which first went on sale in 2003, managed to rack up more than 2.3 million sales. As for the new MkVII, Volkswagen is working on a much more efficient platform and engine lineup. It is for this reason the automaker is speeding up the introduction of the car. The MkVII will feature a clear emphasis on environmental cleanliness, a theme that will carry throughout the Golf lineup. Its platform, known internally as the MQB (Modular Querbaukaste--denoting small to midsized family cars with transverse engines), has been described by the automaker’s chief of development, Ulrich Hackenberg, as a major turning point for the Golf. He previously explained that it will allow engineers to implement a much broader range of drivetrains, hinting at the possibility of alternative fuels playing a role in the next Golf. Volkswagen recently showed off a new plug-in hybrid powertrain called Twin Drive, which is expected to enter production in the middle of next year and will likely appear in the Golf. Other future powertrains already previewed by the automaker include a new hybrid as well as an ultra-efficient diesel. Importantly, this same platform will underpin the next-generation Audi A3, which you can also read up on by clicking here. Read More

Volkswagen’s MkVI Golf has been on sale for less than a year (in most parts of the globe) but development on the next-generation of the popular compact is already well underway in Germany. These latest spy shots depict a test-mule of the new car, revealing it will feature a wider stance than the current model.

The reason behind the short life-cycle planned for the MkVI is simple--the car essentially rides on a warmed over MkV platform. A three to four year cycle for a car is short by any standards, and this hastily planned shift reveals the defensive tack Volkswagen is taking with the Golf in light of the struggling car market.

...

Volkswagen’s MkVI Golf has been on sale for less than a year (in most parts of the globe) but development on the next-generation of the popular compact is already well underway in Germany. These latest spy shots depict a test-mule of the new car, revealing it will feature a wider stance than the current model. The reason behind the short life-cycle planned for the MkVI is simple--the car essentially rides on a warmed over MkV platform. A three to four year cycle for a car is short by any standards, and this hastily planned shift reveals the defensive tack Volkswagen is taking with the Golf in light of the struggling car market. Earlier this year, confidential papers leaked from the automaker’s Wolfsburg headquarters revealed that the MkVI Golf has been marked for “End of Production” by December 2011. According to the same papers, Volkswagen is expecting to sell less than 1.6 million units of the MkVI. The MkV, which first went on sale in 2003, managed to rack up more than 2.3 million sales. As for the new MkVII, Volkswagen is working on a much more efficient platform and engine lineup. It is for this reason the automaker is speeding up the introduction of a new MkVII Golf. This new MkVII will feature a clear emphasis on environmental cleanliness, a theme that will carry throughout the Golf lineup. Its platform, known internally as the MQB (Modular Querbaukaste--denoting small to midsized family cars with transverse engines), has been described by the automaker’s chief of development, Ulrich Hackenberg, as a major turning point for the Golf. He previously explained that it will allow engineers to implement a much broader range of drivetrains, hinting at the possibility of alternative fuels playing a role in the next Golf. Volkswagen recently showed off a new plug-in hybrid powertrain called Twin Drive, which is expected to enter production in the middle of next year and will likely appear in the Golf. Other future powertrains already previewed by the automaker include a new hybrid as well as an ultra-efficient diesel. Importantly, this same platform will underpin the next-generation Audi A3, which you can also read up on by clicking here. Read More

While everyone is gearing up for the sales launch of the all new sixth-generation Golf hatchback later this year, the new Golf Plus, which will share the same face as the Mark VI Golf, is also due to the hit streets next year. The car was spotted testing in Germany back in May and earlier this month we brought you a new computer generated rendering that gave us a good indication as to how the final version would look. Now the suspense is finally over, as the car has been revealed in photos leaked just ahead of the Bologna Motor Show, which kicks off December 3.

Early photos of the Golf Plus were revealed in a leaked brochure, much to the... While everyone is gearing up for the sales launch of the all new sixth-generation Golf hatchback later this year, the new Golf Plus, which will share the same face as the Mark VI Golf, is also due to the hit streets next year. The car was spotted testing in Germany back in May and earlier this month we brought you a new computer generated rendering that gave us a good indication as to how the final version would look. Now the suspense is finally over, as the car has been revealed in photos leaked just ahead of the Bologna Motor Show, which kicks off December 3. Early photos of the Golf Plus were revealed in a leaked brochure, much to the chagrin of Volkswagen, who were eager to surprise the public with the car. Perhaps 'surprise' is too strong a word, however, as the car bears the new face of the new Mark VI Golf but the familiar body of the Mark V, as these photos, sourced by Auto Motor & Sport, reveal. Full details and high-res photos of the car will likely follow as soon as the car is officially launched in Bologna. Until then, we expect the new Golf Plus to feature an updated bumper, light units, and grille with chrome inserts to update it to the new Mark VI family of Volkswagen Golf models. There will also be a fresh rear bumper and a restyled exhaust tip, however the differences between the standard Golf hatchback and the Golf Plus will not be too marked. Apart from the external alterations to the new Golf Plus, the model will get new fabrics in the interior and a new color palette. Also, a Parking Assist feature will now be available. Inside, there will be split-folding rear seats, a height-adjustable rear storage surface and more than 1,400L of storage space when the seats are folded down. The engine line-up will be similar to the Mark VI Golf and will include two petrol and two TDI diesel engines. The base unit will be a 1.4L petrol four-cylinder with 75hp (55kW) and the range topper will be a 2.0L TFSI with 150hp (110kW). Transmissions will include a six-speed manual as standard and a new seven-speed DSG as an option. Expect to see the car in dealerships early next year.Volkswagen Golf Plus Mark VI Read More

Volkswagen is replacing the existing Golf Sport and GT models with a single all-new model – the Golf GT Sport. The latest addition gets several unique features and is equipped with extra equipment over the models it replaces. An all-new darkened grille section has been revised to match the potent GTI and R32 variants and it also picks up a new ‘GT Sport’ badge.

The headlights are also darkened and they sit above a set of fog lights mounted in the front air dams. Other changes include the subtle tints to the rear windows and a set of 17in multispoke ‘ClassiXs’ alloy fitted with 225mm rubber. At the rear, twin... Volkswagen is replacing the existing Golf Sport and GT models with a single all-new model – the Golf GT Sport. The latest addition gets several unique features and is equipped with extra equipment over the models it replaces. An all-new darkened grille section has been revised to match the potent GTI and R32 variants and it also picks up a new ‘GT Sport’ badge. The headlights are also darkened and they sit above a set of fog lights mounted in the front air dams. Other changes include the subtle tints to the rear windows and a set of 17in multispoke ‘ClassiXs’ alloy fitted with 225mm rubber. At the rear, twin chrome exhausts and discreet GT badging distinguish the special model from regular Golfs. Inside, occupants are treated to a leather-trimmed three-spoke steering wheel, gearknob and handbrake, plus front sports seats, automatic light sensing headlights and rain sensing wipers. Under the hood is a 1.4L TSI engine which utilizes both a supercharger and a turbocharger to generate 140hp in base models and up to 170hp in top-end spec. A single 2.0L TDI diesel engine is also available in 140hp and 170hp outputs. Both petrol and diesel engines are available mated to a choice of six-speed manual or DSG transmissions. Read More