2009 Volkswagen Golf MkVI specifications
August 6, 2008 by Alborz Fallah
Following the images leaked a few days ago, Volkswagen has just official unveiled the all new Golf. A model which to Volkswagen goes to its very core.
So far more than 26 million Golfs have been sold worldwide and with the new Golf only months away, sales are only set to increase.
“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”, says Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board at Volkswagen AG.
Europeans will see the car first in October; the car will then head to Africa, Asia, Australia and North America. Pricing for the Australian market is yet to be released by the entry price for the German market is around 16,500 Euros ($28,000).
One of the areas which VW has improved on significantly, to not only meet new tougher EU-5 standards but also to win over more buyers, is fuel economy and emissions. The German giant says innovative engines and transmission technologies have lowered fuel consumption by up to 28 percent in the range.
All models in the new Golf range now satisfy limits of the future EU-5 standard.
New technologies added to the car include “automatic distance control” (ACC), “adaptive chassis control” (DCC) and the “park steering assistant”. The most interesting is distance control, a technology most of us would be familiar with in the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. The new Golf can now keep its distance from the vehicle infront and automatically brake incase of an unavoidable collision.
Volkswagen is also employing a new ESP system, which will provide a more direct response over its control range, while going up to seven airbags (inc. knee airbag) and adding special head restraints that counteract whiplash trauma.
Further safety features include a “seatbelt detection” system for the rear seating as well as daytime running lights, all as standard equipement.
All of us at CarAdvice have already decided that from the outside, the new Golf simply looks brilliant.
“We have cast the Golf’s core components in a precise, new mold. The Golf is the global icon car making. So the architecture and graphic form of new model are also absolutely clear and unique.” explains Walter de Silva the Italian design chief of the German corporation explains
Volkswagen says the designers have taken the “essential DNA” of the previous two generation Golfs and sent them on a “trip to the future”. This has led to the new Golf, which is meant to be a timeless shape, and it needs to be for it will be with us for some time to come!
Some of the modern features include the roof section, which now looks similar to the new Scirocco. All body surfaces are generally more relaxed, more athletic, Volkswagen says.
Most noticeably from the front is the new grille while the all new rear-lights are rather wide now, which the company says will stand out beautifull at night. Apparently some inspiration for the taillight design came from the company’s proper 4WD, the Touareg.
Moving inside, Volkswagen says a lot of ideas for the interior where taken directly from the new Passat CC, which should mean the sixth-generation Golf will have a much higher grade of interior design than its competitors.
Another improvement is noise reduction. Volkswagen call it the quietest Golf ever. Enormous work hours have gone into ensuring a comfortable and quite ride, so much so that the company has even applied a special damping film in the windshield to reduce driving noises.
There are new seal for the doors and side window guides. Even the side mirrors have been designed to significantly reduces wind noise. Tyres were picked for their quiet rolling properties while the new engine bearings round out the noise reduction package.
Volkswagen will also, for the first time, employ TDI common rail engines in the Golf. An further two balancer shafts also put an end to undesirable vibrations.
Although all engine powerplants are yet to be official confirmed for Australia, Europe is expected to get TDI engines extending from 66 kW / 90 PS to 125 kW / 170 PS. Furthermore, there will be two 2.0 litre TDI engines; 81 kW / 110 PS and 103 kW / 140 PS.
Fuel economy has gone below the 5L/100km range. The 66 kW entry-level diesel is makes do with just 4.5 litres of fuel (119 g/km CO2) per 100 kilometres – a 0.6 litre reduction. However the engine we already know we will be recommending, the 125 kW diesel, still manages to run on just 4.9 litres of diesel (129 g/km CO2)!
Petrol engines will of course be on offer as well. Four engines will be available from launch (all not confirmed for our market), they include:
- 59 kW / 80 PS – 6.4 litres/100km of 98RON fuel (149 g/km CO2)
- 75 kW / 102 PS,
- 90 kW / 122 PS – 6.2 litres/100km of 98RON (144 g/km CO2) – TSI engines with supercharger and/or turbocharger
- 118 kW / 160 PS. 6.3 litres/100km of 98RON
Although the entry-level variants will still make do with traditional automatic gearboxes, Volkswagen says all other models all petrol and diesel engines can be paired with Volkswagen’s dual clutch transmission (DSG). Depending on the chosen engine, either a 6-speed or 7-speed DSG is employed.
More Australian specific details will be released closer to the car’s launch in the next few months.
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Or the other conclusion you might reach from my experience (which includes that of other VW friends) is that a basic Audi with minimal fit out and low end engine – but still the quality build, might be comparable to a high end Golf. Just apart from that stupid skinny spare. As for me, well with extreme regret I am actually looking at a Corolla, given my wife’s unlikeable Yaris that replaced her unlikeable Echo – but neither cost her anything except petrol and chep service. The Corolla at least is comfortable.
Yep. If I wanted an economy car to go from A to B, something from Hyundai’s stable would’ve done just fine.
The Golf’s not an economy car – although it is economical – it’s just the right car, more so than any other I’ve had.
After two and a half years and 52,000 kms, the dreaded European disc brakes need seeing to along with new tyres all round. The only two minor problems recorded were covered by warranty.
So far, it’s all still smiles.
Could not agree more, I bought my Golf 4 on absolute impulse because it was so fabulous in the showroom, and fabulous to drive and all friends jealous. Then $500 because window fell in door – apparently they all do. Several sets of disk rotors in 100k – what other car etc, $1,000 for platinum hairpin to measure air temp, off the road several days because of a 10 cent plastic pipe, new air con unit etc etc. But yes for the first couple of years it is a superb ride, My worry is that lately they are designed for the dhowroom not the road.
Hey guys,
Can anyone tell me the go with fuel for the Golf. If you have to buy Premium do you end up with better mileage or can you just run them on normal fuel.
Grant
Yes, at the end you do get metter mileage out of a higher RON car as compared to a lower.
I have a Mk4 Bora (2001) and it’s still a beautiful car to drive, and because I bought it last year with 140,000km on the clock, i’m starting to feel the heat of replacing this and buying a new that..
But it still hasn’t turned me off buying a VW, the only difference next time is that it will be new.
I have a 2006 Golf Sportline auto with leather sport seats.
Very happy with all aspects apart from the leather which is light tan and does need regular cleaning.
Should I go for the current drive away offer and a GT sport petrol or wait for the new Mark VI?
Nothin wrong woth the car but thinking about equiy and trade in values