Car: Volkswagen Golf TDI range
Prices: £16,565-£24,230 – on the road INSURANCE GROUPS: 5-15
Emissions: 107-139g/km
Performance: [TDI 140] Max Speed 130mph / 0-60mph 9.3s
Fuel Consumption: [TDI 105] (urban) 49.6mpg / (extra urban) 72.4mpg / (combined) 62.8mpg
Safety: Seven airbags, ABS, ESP
Dimensions: [3dr] Length/Width/Heightmm 4213/1786/1501
DONE TO A TEE
Our Rating: 7.9 / 10
The sixth generation of Volkswagen’s Golf benefits from some world class diesel engines. Steve Walker reports.
Anyone familiar with the fifth generation Volkswagen Golf is unlikely to be knocked out by the sight of the sixth generation car but writing the latest model off as a rehash of its forbear would be to do it a major disservice. A lot was changed in the creation of today’s Golf and once the lack of initial excitement has been conquered, there’s actually quite a bit to get excited about. Not least, the TDI common-rail diesel engines.
The Golf has become such an iconic car for Volkswagen that changing it too dramatically would be an extremely risky move. Some manufacturers will never arrive at a winning formula as successful as the Golf’s has proved so messing about with it would be like eating the golden egg laying goose for Sunday lunch.
This gave Volkswagen’s engineers a problem, a nice problem to have but a problem nevertheless. How could they materially improve on the mkV car while leaving its basic make-up intact? They chose a process of evolution, enhancing various aspects of the car to deliver a sixth generation model that was better but still overwhelmingly Golf. One of the most significant improvements was the arrival of the TDI common-rail diesel engines.
Common-rail injection diesel engines are nothing new but this is the first Golf to get them. Prior generations have persevered with Volkswagen’s direct injection technology which was good for punchy performance but less so if you valued refinement and efficiency. Two versions of the 1.6-litre TDI unit and two of the 2.0-litre TDI common-rail engine are offered. These range from the entry-level 89bhp and 104bhp versions of the 1.6-litre to a 138bhp 2.0-litre option and the 168bhp 2.0 engine that powers the sporty GTD model. Rather than the lag-ridden power delivery of less sophisticated turbo diesel powerplants, these units produce a smooth flow of power and keep on giving high into the rev range. Even the 104bhp option can perform the 0-60mph sprint in 11.3s.
If anything, it’s the improvements made in terms of refinement that bring the biggest single step forward over the previous generation Golf. A back-to-back drive in the two cars reveals a major reduction in cabin noise achieved through a host of measures including a special sound-damping windscreen, extra thick side window glass and advanced door and window seals. The cosseting experience inside the Golf is added to by the car’s clever suspension system. Multi-link rear axle technology is the preserve of the top performers in the family hatchback class from a ride and handling perspective and this Golf is certainly amongst those. Its strut based front suspension and multi-link rear serve up a supple ride and deal extremely well with surface imperfections while still letting the driver know what the car is up to. Well weighted speed sensitive steering and a slick manual gearbox contribute to a driving experience that isn’t the sector’s most thrilling but is tough to beat for sheer competence.
There are three or five-door bodystyles with the standard hatch, plus a more versatile Golf Plus variant and an estate model. The front end styling treatment of the MkVI Golf was first seen on the Scirocco coupe and its horizontal lines serve to make the car appear wider, lower and more planted on the road. Break out the tape measure and you’ll discover that this is not merely a stylistic illusion with the latest car being 27mm wider and 34mm lower than the MkV. At the rear, the light clusters have also been stretched width ways and the bumper is predominantly body-coloured for a classier look but from whichever angle you approach it, the car couldn’t be anything but a Golf.
Inside, the dash design is more of an eye-opener. The instruments are tastefully designed with obvious Audi influences and illuminate in crisp white light. The controls function with typical efficiency and the plastics quality is hard to fault compared to the Golf’s family hatch rivals. Some might find t
Used Volkswagen drivers may be impressed with new Golf
Used Volkswagen owners who have been impressed with their autos's efficiency may want to check out the latest addition to the company's range.The manufacturer has announced a BlueMotion edition of the Golf with a 1.6-litre TDI diesel engine is now available to order.Capable of 68.9 mpg, the new car may help motorists reduce their spending at the pump.Meanwhile, with CO2 emissions o...
Volkswagen Polo chosen as this years World Car of The Year
Volkswagen of America, Inc. and Volkswagen AG have announced that the Volkswagen Polo has been chosen as this years World Car of the Year, surpassing 29 competing nominees. Announced at the New York International Auto Show, the annual World Car of the Year competition acknowledges the most outstanding cars of the year based on value, safety, merit, significance, emotional appeal, and environmental impact. Were honou...