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.
Tags: Volkswagen Golf MkVI
As a current Mk5 GTI owner I reckon the new Mk6 looks pretty damn good. Still a few bits I’m not too fussed about, rear lights for example, but no dramas really. I’m pretty happy.
Looking good
Can’t wait to see what the new GTI looks like (should be announced at next year’s Geneva show hopefully).
very nice, but i’m not surprised. VW haven’t made a bad car in quite a while now! The current passat is a brilliant car and well priced, and the golf 6 appears to take the already excellent golf 5 and make it even better! Jetta is obviously the same as a golf, tourag is great if your after a large luxury SUV that can actually do a bit of offroading (notice i said a bit and not alot)
yep, good cars VW’s
Well, it sounds very advanced indeed. Mark me down for one of those 125kw diesels that do 4.9l/100km.
There’s no word on the rear suspension in all of this, so I’m hoping they’ve retained the set-up as is.
are we expecting a 2008 launch here in australia? i simply can’t wait!
Mk. VI Golf GT Sport with the 125kw 2.0 TDi will be my next car. Love it!
Mk.VI GTI, with 7 speed DSG box will most certainly be my new car.
Ben Larden are u any relation to Mike Hunt another regular on this site.LOL.
I doubt that the MKVI GTI will be available with the 7 speed DSG, because that gearbox it is designed with dry clutches and suitable for lower torque engines.
I think all AU DSGs will be the 6 speed model, unless one of the lower powered petrol engines is offered here, which would be a good match with 7 ratios to really get the best economy.
I think the MKVI looks great, means VW will have more sales resulting. Hopefully the quicker build time will result in less waiting time, which at present can be 4-5 months for a custom build.
I reckon it’s that problem that stops VW from being much higher on the sales charts. People look at and love the Golf, but won’t wait 4 months so go and buy a Mazda 3 or 6 instead.
Hey Reckless we were happy to wait 6 months for our 3 door GTI DSG, and to this day we still think it was well and truly worth the wait! One of the best vehicles on the market today!
Or you do what I did. I went nosing around late January 06 to see what 05 stock was available. The salesman perused his list and said, “well, there’s a silver 1.9 manual with a sunroof we can chuck in for nix with three years servicing”. I said, “oh, you mean this one just here?”
He looked up and nodded. “Where do I sign?” I asked. :)
Bahhhhh!! So they’ve stuck with the old underpowered 1.6L petrol engine. I think a $12,990 Holden Barina has more power. In the US, the Golf (which is called Rabbit there) has a 2.5L straight-5 standard (as does the Jetta and New Beetle). I still don’t understand why the Golf outsells the Beetle in this country. The Golf does offer 2 extra doors, but the Beetle is just so much better looking. Would I pay $25,490 for a 1.6L car? Not a chance.
Mark, I agree the 1.6 would be the weakest link. But it’s still a way of getting into a Golf that plenty of people have opted for. You still get everything else that makes the Golf covetable and, throughout the Mk V’s life, those things have included 5 star safety, galvanised shell, 6 speed boxes, great practicality and road manners, refinement and a whole host of things that many people don’t realise make up the whole value equation.
The Beetle’s pretty, but utterly useless and untalented. I know, cos I’ve had one of those, too.
you enjoy your horrible little beetle then Mark! You’d be the only one…
I would have neither.
Yeah right, Richo. Do you have any idea how many Beetles were sold when it first came out in 1998? People were practically queuing for them. The resale on 10 year old Beetles is also quite incredible.
we already knew that TP.
too much styling and driving enjoyment for you hey… ;)
I bought a new GT Sport TDI 125kw DSG this year and it’s leased for 5 years but I am already drooling over the next one. By then a 7 speed DSG should be ready for the power TDI. I have not been able to do more than 6.8l/100 km around town with the current model. Just fantastic.
The joyless TP would have neither. Ah yes. Emit soft sigh. We undertand. Much better idea to buy a Corolla with beam axle and no ESP that tops the owners’ satisfaction survey charts, whatever they are.
TP, the specification and design of this car craps over just about everything else in the class. How’s the little diesel with 4.5l/100 kms? Against the Prius, I mean? A real Game Changer. Oh what a feeling etc
Nice car but if you don’t want to pay heaps more for a Diesel you have to get an engine that needs 98RON
That’s pricey stuff for an economy car. Do all the petrol engines need 98RON? If so that sucks.
I know the 2.0 does, SamR. Yeah, it’s a shame, but do we blame the car makers for making the highly efficient engines that require it, or the petrol companies for loading up the margins on the sparkier stuff?
Like the new golf, though golfs still don’t do it for me unfortunately. Sat in some and they are great cars, apart from their cost! The 98 RON is a bummer. Probably we’d be able to use 91RON when it comes here but with less power/torque output I’m guessing.
Model renewal after less than 5 years? Aparently because the old one was too expensive to make – especially the suspension system. Must be a real big difference in cost to cut 3 years out of a typical life model cycle….
So can it really be that much better when it is significantly cheaper to make?
Realcars, Mike Hunt is my cousin, Harry Dixon-Balls my half brother, and Jenny Talia my Aunt, Why do you ask?
I’ve consulted elsewhere and it seems the rear suspension remains.
VW had to bring this car to market because the Mk V, as Marketmaker says, was too expensive and tardy to produce. Yet, there’s no sign of a return to beam axles, vinyl interiors or sealed beam headlights here – quite the opposite. If anything, it’s a powerhouse of new technology and finish quality.
So it must be down to component purchasing and production processes, Marketmaker.
Quite a family tree u have there Ben Larden.LOL.
It can have the best specs… but its gone BACKWARDS in looks. What were they thinking.
Looks are a subjective thing. Anyway, you should be used to conservative design.
Compared to what TP a Corolla? come on its positively leagues ahead of the Corolla/Auris. Expensive OK but thats the price you pay for seeing less of them on the road. Exclusivity I believe they call it…Eh Golfie
7spd dsg is just too many gears. I test drove the mk5 gti and found 6 plenty, although I would get used to it once I drive it more often.
people who can’t be bothered waiting for the gti, should find a used gti. but these idiots would rather drive a not so good new car (and suffer even more from depreciation) than get a brilliant near new car.
i dunno if i would go as far as saying people are idiots for not buying the car you would victory, but your point is well made that a 2 or 3 year old GTi would make a cracking car.
and TP what are you on about? rubbish as usual by the sounds of it. Styling is a good step forward and it appears atleast to be mechanically a worthwhile step forward over the golf 5.
The reason VW have replaced the golf 5 after “just” 5 years is actually down to component sharing. VW are on a big efficiency push and they have come up with an all new archetecture, platform if you like, for all of its small to medium sized cars so it makes things a whole lot cheaper and easier for them to get as many cars onto this new platform as possible to share the costs around. Keeping in mind that the VW group includes VW, audi, skoda and seat, that means there is alot of golf sized cars so there is a significant saving to be made.
also unlike the golf 4 to golf 5 update, alot of components from the golf 5 have been carried over for golf 6, meaning that the development costs of the upgrade aren’t as large as what you would normally get with a new model. This car will spawn not only the next jetta, but also the next audi a3, skoda fabia and octavia and a couple of seat’s (don’t know there names, but i know there is atleast two of them, leone maybe?)
Also the next passat and skoda octavia and superb will also be built off a stretched version of this car. With the development costs being shared around, this probably only cost VW the same as a VX to VY commodore style update.
This is nothing more than a re-skin. It is MkV golf underneath. There is no new platform it is the PQ35 rehashed. VW are saving money by building things like the doors differently. They have rushed this update into production as the MkV cost so much to build. It can’t spawn new cars – Audi, Seat, Skoda etc if they are already on the same platform. The Skoda Fabia is built on the PQ25 chassis – that is a new chassis, currently under the Seat Ibiza but will under pin the new polo. Further, the passat and the Octavia use different platforms – Passat the “B” PQ46 chassis while the Octavia has the Golf’s “A” PQ35 chassis.
They are also rushing a electric/1.2L petrol Golf hybrid into production.
i’ll take what your saying as correct Tom cos you seem to know about it, but i was going off wheels where saying..
People here bag the Corolla all the time but apparently it is
Cheap to make
Very reliable
High quality (in the manufacturing sense)
Cheap to own and run
OK it is also
A bit boring
Not cutting edge in performance or dynamics
Now VW have learned that you can make a fantastic car but if it costs too much to make you cannot get that back by charging more as people will not pay. (For BMW and Mercedes YES they will pay more)
Some of the much criticised Toyota design decisions in the Corolla were done for a very good reason.
A car should also be cheap to run but that is another story.
I own a Volkswagen Golf 5, so to be a fair Golf owner I will be objective, not subjective.
I think the Golf 6 looks modern in a evolutionary way forward from the Golf 5. I still wish it had a little more of a masculinity design though, maybe the forthcoming GTI will have that. Notice the attractive models in the picture, that maybe the main target demographic VW is aiming to sell to (especially in Europe and China). The interior looks to be of a higher quality and the ergonomics seem to be slightly better designed (new door grab handles etc.).
I read somewhere VW will introduce a Golf hybrid called ‘Twin Drive’ which is claiming to be able to achieve 113 mpg, or close to only 2.5 litres per 100 kilometres and still accelerate to 100 km in 9.9 seconds without sacrificing interior room! If the next Toyota or Honda hybrid can’t achieve even near that fuel consumption then as Toyota tries to brainwash the television addict in one of its commercial ‘the game has now changed’. VW was about 3 years late to the hybrid race, but it seems they will definitely make up for it’s lateness. I hope it will be almost as reliable as the Toyota and Honda hybrids, for VW’s sake.
Think of the Golf 6 as a car for people who actually take care in their presentation and who actually have taste in design, Corolla is too toy-like for me and has the driving experience of a wooden, well, wood, whereas the Golf is like a titanium aluminum driver! PING! I know because I have owned both of the latest models. Yes the Toyota was a BIT more reliable but gee I do notice I enjoy driving my Golf a lot more and I get heaps more complements from friends when I have to taxi them around.
Neo Utopia Says: “I know because I have owned both of the latest models. Yes the Toyota was a BIT more reliable”
If that is true then that is a sad indictment of the Golf as NEW cars should be 100% reliable. The current Corolla has only been out a year or so.
The problem with the Golf and particularly the Astra and Focus is that you would have to be nuts to own one long term after the warranty runs out. They are a horror for an economy car.
Remember you can buy a Corolla for a little more the $20,000 drive away (haggling) with $120 services for 3 years. A Golf will cost you a lot more so it should be a much better car, it’s not.
The Golf’s worth every cent of the difference, SamR. We’re not talking cup holders here. The Golf is fundamentally superior from the ground up. You can’t add fully galvanised body shells, 6 speed transmissions across the range, direct fuel injection or diesel choices, multi link rear suspensions, ESP, 6 airbags and 5 star crash safety to the Corolla by going on a spending spree at Supercheap.
The Golf has it all in the beginning, and I’m talking about the soon-to-be superseded Mk V.
Uh-oh…I missed the heated rear view mirrors. Don’t worry. There’s plenty more from where that came from.
The Corolla has 6 speed manual, galvanized body (don’t they all now?) Diesel (overseas) Multi air bags and I believe 5-star with the safety pack on base models.
Look!, I agree the Golf is a better car from a features and dynamics point of view and a better drivers car BUT it is a more expensive in a higher market segment. It SHOULD be better.
But more reliable, longer lasting, higher quality and cheaper to run, it is not!
They are not directly comparable. No-one goes to buy a car and says “What do I get a Golf or Corolla, I have $35,000 to spend”
Different market segments, different prices.
They sell a Corolla in Japan with a V6 engine in it.
Agreed.
In the Australian market Corolla does not have ESP, so in Australia it will never have any star rating.
That is Toyota’s attempt at cost cutting…
How can all new cars be 100% reliable?!?!?! Nothing is 100% reliable. If that is the way people think then they will be sadly dissapointed with every purchase they make.
the corolla is to toyota what golf is to VW. The only difference is the golf is half a class further down the road in terms of price, and thank goodness for toyota’s sake because it IS a much better car. It just is
SamR says “But more reliable, longer lasting, higher quality and cheaper to run, it is not!”
how do you know its not as reliable and long lasting? Both the current corolla and current golf have only been on the market for a few years! Just because previous corollas have proven to be long lasting doesn’t mean the current model will be! And anyone golfs have also proven themselfs to be very long lasting and reliable too so i really don’t know where you are pulling that from.
Cheaper to run? Again don’t know where you got that from considering most golfs are considerably more economical then corolla’s, atleast in australia.
Higher quality? Sit in a current model golf and then sit in a current model corolla and try and make that argument stick! The golf is significantly superior in terms of quality of interior materials and build. It just is, end of story, no arguments, if you don’t believe me go to a toyota and a VW dealership and see for yourself. I guarantee i am right.
also in terms of refinement, noise suppresion and ride quality, again the golf is significantly better, so it IS a higher quality automobile.
So it should be for the price. It is a premium small car versus a cheap small car. However, VW should be selling them for more than they are, hence the rush job of the mkVI.
I don’t know where this notion of VW reliability comes from. A little research shows that both in europe/uk and the USA they have a long way to go before reality matches their perceived quality. Also VW themselves admit that their quality has slipped as they try to cut costs.
I like the simple lines of the Golf6. Looks a bit like a Scirocco front end to me.
I took a Golf V to a Toyota dealer and asked for a Corolla with the same specs …. guess what, very similar price (that’s if it was an option in the Corolla).
Also re fuel – Milobob & SamR – my 1990 Audi ran on the higher RON fuel and cost me $5 more to fill, but guess what, I got 100klm further on a tank than if I used standard which equated to using 10 litres, saving me $10 at the time. Ummmm, that made me $5 better off per tank. My point? These engines are built to run on the higher RON which make them more economical in the long run. It annoys me every time a see a road report that say the downside is that a car uses Premium or 98Ron. I wish they would get to know the product for more than face value, just like comparing a Golf to a Corolla …… you can’t.
autoblog is reporting the R series of the Golf will no longer have the Aurally pleasing VR6 motor. They are going for the AWD, 2L turbo, 265HP to fill the new R-line.
I have had two Golfs and both were excellent cars for the first couple of years. Inarguably better than anything else examined in the showroom. But after that couple of years little things started to go. Unfortunately each little thing tended to cost between $500-$1,000. Only my A3 went through four years with zero failures, but that cost another $10,000. That is where VW reliability went, to Audi. And what about the skinny spare. That alone would stop me buying another Golf
Rod Says: “I have had two Golfs and both were excellent cars for the first couple of years. Inarguably better than anything else examined in the showroom. But after that couple of years little things started to go. Unfortunately each little thing tended to cost between $500-$1,000″
THAT is exactly the anecdotal evidence I hear ALL the time about Golfs and frankly Astra and other similar Euro cars as well.
YES nice car but costly to run. Some people don’t care about the cost they car about the car. For them the Golf is the right car.
For me, a car that needed $500-$1,000 spent on it regularly would not be acceptable in a city runabout. In my weekend fun car ? no problem.
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