[Cartoday]
Volkswagen has released the official details of its sixth-generation Golf and it seems to be getting more grown up every time.
We were aware that the Golf VI would share a good deal of its architecture with the current car, but it also appears that much of the styling has been carried over from the Mark V as well. There’s a hint of Scirocco about the thin, slatted grille and slightly up-turned headlamps, but the tail is very conservative with the only noticeable elements being brake lights modeled on those of the Touareg.
The interior continues the Scirocco-influenced nature of the car with a central hang-down section that echoes that of the Geneva Show star, as well as the model’s rectangular air vents and cowled dials.
Refinement is the key word here - a special damping film in the windshield has been utilised to reduce road noise, along with a newly developed seal concept for the doors and side window guides, increased sound-proofing between the engine and cabin. As before, this model will also sport such big car features as Automatic Distance Control, Adaptive Chassis Control and Park Steering Assistance.
Safety systems include a new ESP system, with finer response over its control range, seven airbags including knee airbags, active head restraints, daytime running lights and rear seatbelt detectors.
The new Golf will initially be offered with two common-rail injection 2,0-litre TDI engines developing 81 kW and 103 kW whilst returning 4,9- and 4,5-litres/100 km, respectively. Four petrol engines will be available from launch, starting with two normally aspirated engines that develop 59 kW and 75 kW, the former of which will return 6,4-litres/100 km. A pair of the company’s 1,4-litre TSI engines will also feature on the new model developing 90 kW and 118 kW – the most powerful of which will return 6,3-litres/100 km. There is also talk of a tweaked GTI powerplant that develops 179 kW.
With the exception of the entry-level engines, VW's dual clutch transmission (DSG) in either 6 or 7-speed guise replaces the automatic transmission.
Those seeking greater frugality will be pleased to hear that Volkswagen will be introducing a BlueMotion model (with features such as slow-shift gearboxes and low resistance tyres), which it claims is 30 percent more fuel efficient than a comparable petrol model. A hybrid model is still several years away, but Volkswagen will eventually introduce a range of forced-induction fed three-cylinder motors. Displacing between 1,0- and 1,2-litres, these units will develop roughly 66 kW.