Volkswagen Golf VII

Nur wer die Menschen kennt, kann das Auto bauen.

2013 Volkswagen Golf

2013 Volkswagen Golf

For almost four decades and for six generations, the Volkswagen Golf is one of the key vehicles of the Volkswagen lineup and as of 31st July 2012 - exactly 29.13 million units sold since 1974, the Volkswagen Golf, is one of the most successful motorcars in the world. Now though, with its seventh incarnation, a new chapter of the Golf storyline is about to begin, like a new chapter for a big movie.

As I speak, this is the first new model to incorporate Volkswagen Group's new MQB platform, a new generation platform that allows access to new powertrains and technologies, including innovations in the areas of safety and infotainment, which until now were reserved for vehicles in higher segments. This new platform was currently on the latest version of the Audi A3, and the upcoming Seat Leon and hopefully, this new platform will be applied in future models the Volkswagen Group's been diddling about.

As a car made for people by people, the Golf is a well-civilized vehicle that targets any age demographic. It doesn't matter if you're 20's, 30's, middle-aged, senior, or whatever. This is the other people's car since The Beetle and this is not just a car, it's a religion of some sorts and this new model is on the whole new testimony for the next generation of Golf owners.

For this new model, it's now 56mm longer than the previous incarnation. Even the wheelbase is longer, making it possible to accommodate more interior space. The enhanced dimensions of the new Golf courtesy of the MQB platform generates 0.27cD of drag coefficient. About as similar as using a hair blower on your face.

Even though the new chassis is proven a worthy contender, there's one thing I'm not particularly fond of and it was the new Golf's look. Even though this was the improvement of Walter de Silva's VW design DNA, this new look kinda looks like some pensioner who lives in a retirement home in Yorkshire. Yes, it looks like a senior aged retiree who is wearing bicycling outfits and that looks a bit...well, corny. However, when you get inside the interior, this is far more different from conventional VW interiors of other models.

2013 Volkswagen Golf interior

I wouldn't say much about the interior but it seems that not only the new chassis made it lighter, the inside did take some SENSA and a bit of Zumba, therefore most of its components like the dashboard, module, air conditioning, seats, and others also contributed to the almost 40kg of weight loss to the superstructure. That's an amazing achievement here but what about the engine types offered on the new Golf that had been taken too much SENSA and Zumba?

We're expecting a 1.2L TSI, 1.4TSI, 1.6 TDI, and 2.0 TDi engines, each with different characteristics and specs that affects the Golf's behavior. Either way, they can be fitted with either a 5-speed manual, a 6-speed manual, or the DSG Doppelkupplungsgetriebe for quicker shifting than manuals, well this is just only a hunch. Most of the engines come with BlueMotion Technology that promises to be economical and yes, it do come with the feature that shuts the engine off when you stopped at the red light and then start again when you set off. Idling stop for short. That's what I'm saying.

The one with the 1.6 TDi engine is the efficient of the range with 3.8L/100km of fuel economy while the one with the 2.0 TDi engine is the most powerful Golf in the range with top speed of 216kph. It all seems fine but next year, the seventh Golf will be having high performance versions, especially the one that we're not going to mention it because of search engine issues. You get me?

Besides, with Ayala Corporation is now the OFFICIAL distributor of Volkswagen in the Philippines, I really had my fingers crossed that this new seventh-generation Golf will be on their portfolio. This car is on sale in Germany for 16,975 Euros for the entry-level version while next year, it will arrive in other parts of the world such as North America, Middle East, and Asia. Because the fact that China is one of VW's biggest customers, I think that the new Golf VII would get some high stakes here.

Oh and one more thing...they're available in 3-door and 5-door. Thanks...

Photo: Volkswagen AG