2013 Golf MK VII [GTI UPDATE]

[+Mirumir Subscriber¹]

[GTI UPDATE]

Lighter and more efficient

Volkswagen has officially unveiled the 2013 Golf at the New National Gallery in Berlin, Germany.

Looking rather conservative, the model adopts an evolutionary design that emphases strong character lines and taut surfaces. Overall, the car measures 4,255mm long, 1,799mm wide and 1,452mm tall. This means the model is 56mm longer, 13mm wider and 28mm lower than its predecessor.

The exterior styling won't win everyone over, but the interior is leaps and bounds ahead of its predecessor. Three different trim levels will be available and even the entry-level Trendline features air conditioning, metallic accents, power windows / locks, a folding rear seat and 15-inch wheels.

Moving up to the Comfortline adds comfort seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and floor mats. There's also a Composition Touch infotainment system, a fatigue detection system, parking sensors and 16-inch alloy wheels.

The range-topping Highline boasts a unique exterior with chrome accents, xenon headlights and 17-inch alloy wheels. Inside, the cabin features ambient lighting and Alcantara / fabric sport seats.

All 2013 Golfs will be equipped with an infotainment system that has a screen which measures 5-, 5.8- or 8-inches. Entry-level models have a black and white display that only provides basic information such as vehicle settings, climate control options and the time / date. However, higher-end variants have a proximity sensor which automatically switches the screen from display mode to input mode when a finger is detected near the system. They also have MP3/Bluetooth/iPod/AUX/SD Card connectivity, an optional navigation system and an available UMTS telephone module.

Additionally, thanks to the Golf's 1,750mm wheelbase (an increase of 14mm), there's an extra 15mm of rear legroom and 30 liters (1 cubic foot) more cargo capacity.

On the safety front, the Golf features multi-collision braking (which brakes the car when an accident occurs), a PreCrash system (which automatically pre-tensions the seatbelts and closes the windows when an accident in imminent) and Adaptive Cruise Control. Other goodies include Front Assist with city emergency braking (which monitors vehicles in front of the car and applies the brakes if a collision is imminent), an XDS electronic locking differential, lane-keeping assistant and a fatigue detection system (which analyzes the driver's behavior and provides audio / visual warnings if they appear sleepy or distracted). There's also Light Assist (which automatically switches the high beams on and off), traffic sign recognition and Park Assist with a 360 degree display of surrounding objects.

The car is also equipped with a driver profile selection system that has five different modes: Eco, Sport, Normal, Individual and Comfort (only on models equipped with the adaptive chassis control system). In Eco mode, the air conditioner and other ancillary systems are optimized to reduce fuel consumption.

Under the hood, there's a variety of new and revised engines. They will come equipped with a start/stop system and brake energy regeneration.

At launch, options include:

• A 1.2-liter TSI with 85 PS (63 kW) that consumes 4.9 L/100km and has CO2 emissions of 113 g/km
  
• A 1.4-liter TSI with cylinder-deactivation technology that produces 140 PS (103 kW) and consumes 4.9 L/100 km with CO2 emissions of 112 g/km
  
• A 105 PS (77 kW) TDI that consumes 3.8 L/100km and has CO2 emissions of 99 g/km
  
• A 150 PS (110 kW) TDI that consumes 4.1 L/100km and has CO2 emissions of 106 g/km
  

There will also be a BlueMotion variant which averages 3.2 L/100km and has CO2 emissions of 85 g/km.

The car also rides on the new MQB platform which helps the model to weigh up to 100 kg (220 lbs) less than its predecessor.

According to Prof. Dr. Winterkorn, "This duty to build sustainable cars in large numbers is something that we've always been conscious of here at Volkswagen. It was therefore important to us to build the most fuel-efficient Golf ever, which at the same time had to remain affordable. And we've succeeded in doing that."

The 2013 Golf will celebrate its public debut at the Paris Motor Show and German pricing starts at ?16,975.

[Xerxes]

Time for a new Golf already? still feels like the Mk VI was released yesterday! time sure does fly. Not sure I like the look of this one, looks like an Audi reject :p :laugh: but probably just me.

[Farstrider]

Actually looks pretty sweet! Nice enough little car, looks well finished!

[Axel]

"Let's continue making the most boring looking car on the market"

"That's a great idea!"

Sorry not my cup of tea. Not that they aren't great cars!

[+Mirumir Subscriber¹]

A tribute to the previous generations!

[CG-88]

Where is the R version???

[+Nik Louch Subscriber²]

Changing AGAIN? Feels way too soon.

My heart always belongs to the MKIV though!

[tsupersonic]

You know what? I quite like it? Give me the R32 version with AWD!

[what]

Where is the R version???

GTI coming next March I believe, R will be sometime after that.

You know what? I quite like it? Give me the R32 version with AWD!

Good luck finding that 3.2 VR6 in any new Golf ;)

[zeta_immersion]

fantastic car ... looks good .. Das Germans!!!!!!!

[CG-88]

What was the R version of the mk VI? The mk V was the last 3.2v6 wasnt it?

[Arpit]

all the right lessons taken from audi

[Chicane-UK Veteran]

The MK4 could be bought with a 2.8 V6 (4Motion) and was also available as the first R32 with the 3.2 V6. This continued into the MK5 with another 3.2 V6 (with a little more power) and then because of emissions the V6 was dropped in favour of the 2.0 TSI engine in the MK6.

Shame really. The 2.0TSI engine is superb (I have one in my Skoda Octavia VRS) but it doesn't have anything like the soul or sound of the VR6 - which I am also lucky to own in 2.9 litre form in my Corrado VR6 :) I get the best of both worlds :)

I look forward (for amusement) to see how much a new Golf GTI or Golf R will cost....

[CG-88]

damn emissions!! that's why mini switched the "S" model to a turbo instead of supercharger from what I'm aware of. Sucked because I loved the supercharger whine. :( oh how I miss mine.

I didnt know the r mk VI was a 2.0 tsi. And yeah Chicane-UK the pricing will be lolllable :D

[moloko]

Cant wait to see the GTI verison. I think it just looks better than the standard golf.

[+Nik Louch Subscriber²]

Cant wait to see the GTI verison. I think it just looks better than the standard golf.

Well, isn't that obvious?

[peacemf]

back=seat

interior=audi

[qdave]

My heart always belongs to the MKIV though!

Iknow what you mean! Cant wait to get my mk iv fixed :D

Any golf is good as long as it has TDI in it! These things are good :D

And mk 7 looks quite nice actually...especially interior.

[+Mirumir Subscriber¹]

Any golf is good.

;)

I can still spot MK2's running around. These little beasts are at least 20 years old. :D

[+Mirumir Subscriber¹]

Volkswagen Golf VII GTI concept storms Paris Motor Show

More powerful and economical.

Volkswagen has officially revealed a near-production concept of the upcoming Golf VII GTI that will be launched next year. Just like we reported yesterday, the new GTI will be powered by a retuned version of the company?s 2.0-liter TFSI turbo engine that will pump out 220 HP (162 kW). VW plans on offering an optional power package that adds 10 HP (7.3 kW).

The standard GTI will be able to perform the 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) sprint in 6.6 seconds, while the higher-power version will feature additional upgrades besides the power increase. Some of the extra goodies include a new electronic differential for better cornering and bigger brake discs. It promises to hit a top speed of 155 mph (250 km/h).

The German automaker says that the fuel consumption has been reduced by 1.3 liters compared to the current Golf VII GTI, representing an 18 percent decrease. This means that the revamped GTI will be capable of returning 39.1 mpg US (47 mpg UK or 6 liters / 100 km).

Nice new fog lights!

[tsupersonic]

Meh looks like a normal/old golf. And that cloth interior = hideous as always. Can see some Audi inspirations there.

[qdave]

That interior is very nice! Seats could have a different colouring though.

[Kami-]

wow ugly interior on the GTI :/