Volkswagen Golf: Sixth Generation

Motoring Channel Staff - 6/August/2008

Wolfsburg, Germany — What you see here is the 2009 model VW Golf, the sixth generation of what is one of the world's most popular makes.

With more than 26 million Golfs have been sold, the car is an important model for Volkswagen, and is set for a public launch in October at the 2008 Paris Motor Show.

Displaying a sleek new style that parallels the new Scirocco sports car, the the new Golf will be offered with 7 airbags and will feature an automatic parking system, a new 7-speed automatic transmission, and low emission engines that reduce fuel consumption by more than 25%.

Volkswagen sent out the official press release today, announcing that sales of the new model will commence first in Europe from October this year.

After the European launch, the African, Asian then Australian and North American introductions of the new Golf will follow. 

We spoke to Volkswagen Australia about specific launch dates, but "2009" was as precise as they could be about the local launch of the new model.

Penned by the VW Group's chief of design, Walter de Silva, the new Golf will be available in both 3- and 5-door body styles and features a sleeker, more modern take on the current design.

"It is more accentuated, more three-dimensional than its predecessor; with precisely defined lines and edges, and with finely proportioned flared surfaces and recesses," says de Silva.

The new Mk. VI Volkswagen Golf sits on the same platform as the previous model Golf and the new design features include:

• Headlights

• Front fascia

• Engine hood

• Brake lights

• Rear fascia

Volkswagen's new take on the Golf small car is more of an evolution of the vehicle's character than an outright change of pace, something that VW's top brass had been pushing to achieve sooner rather than later.

It has a more purposeful stance than previously thanks to the prominent wheel arches; the way the VW Golf sits on the road is more appealing than the previous model.

The consensus at the Web Wombat offices is that the Golf VI comes across as a more determined and more sophisticated car than its predecessor.

The Volkswagen Group's head of design, Walter de Silva, says "We have cast the Golf's core components in a precise, new mold," and describes the Golf as a "global icon". 

According to the Volkswagen press release, the new VW Golf's designers "sought to crystallize out the “essential DNA” of the model series and send it on a trip to the future."

The interior has also been updated.

In a visual sense the changes to the cabin are fairly low key. It looks quite similar to the previous model. But Volkswagen has made a number of changes to the controls and features.

The German car maker explains that "assistance" systems such as automatic distance control will make the cut, which is expected to be a new radar-based cruise control system previously only seen on high end luxury cars.

A range of new infotainment technologies will also be offered, including a new touch-screen satellite navigation system, similar to the one available in the Tiguan compact AWD.

There are innovative inclusions designed to make everyday driving easier and also more fun, such as the park steering assistant that parks the car for you, and the adaptive chassis control that can change the car's attitude from stiff and sporty to soft and comfy in seconds.

The electronic stability programme (ESP) has also been refined for improved safety, and up to seven airbags (including a knee airbag) will be offered.

Volkswagen is promising to reduce fuel consumption by 28% with some of its new engines, which include a range of newer, quieter diesel TDI motors.

"Plans call for a TDI power range extending from 66kW (90hp) to 125kW (170hp)" says Volkswagen, highlighting the Golf's green credentials with a new 2.0-litre 81kW (110hp) diesel engine using just 4.5 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres.

Petrol engines will also be bolstered when the new VW Golf arrives, with four different motors to be launched at first, spanning from 59kW (80hp) to 118kW (160hp).

Except for the entry-level models, Volkswagen will offer DSG automatics on the new Golf, both 6- and the new 7-speed versions. 

When matched with the 118 kilowatt 1.4-litre TSI 'twincharged' engine, the DSG equipped Golf can achieve fuel consumption of 6.0-litres per 100km and will emit only 139g/km of CO2.

One of the issues the previous Golf model faced, which caused lengthy delays in getting models such as the high selling Golf GTI to Australia, was that the vehicle had a higher than normal manufacturing time.

The new model is expected to remedy this issue, and Volkswagen also hopes that the new design will appeal to European customers who didn't flock to the vehicle as rapidly as predicted.

"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," claims Professor Dr. Martin Winterkorn, the chairman of the board at Volkswagen AG.

"The entry price for the German market is around 16,500 Euros," reads the press release, and the Australian pricing is likely to mirror the current Golf prices which begin at $25,490. 

The new Golf will arrive in Australia sometime in 2009, depending on European demand.

Volkswagen is also preparing a plug-in hybrid version of the new Golf, expected to arrive in 2011. 

Related Links:
- Volkswagen Golf TDI Hybrid (2009)
- Volkswagen Golf GT - TSI (Road Test)
- Volkswagen Golf R32 (Road Test)
- Volkswagen Scirocco (2008)
- Volkswagen Golf GTI (Road Test)
- Volkswagen Passat TDI Wagon (Road Test)
- Volkswagen Passat CC (2008)
- Volkswagen Passat R36 (2008)
- Volkswagen Eos (Road Test)
- Volkswagen Touareg R50 (Road Test)
- Volkswagen Tiguan (First Drive)
- Volkswagen Golf R GTI (Concept)
- Volkswagen Polo TDI (Road Test)