Jump to content
Create New...
  • 💬 Join the Conversation

    CnG Logo SQ 2023 RedBlue FavIcon300w.png
    Since 2001, Cheers & Gears has been the go-to hub for automotive enthusiasts. Join today to access our vibrant forums, upload your vehicle to the Garage, and connect with fellow gearheads around the world.

     

  • William Maley
    William Maley

    Introducing The 7th Generation Golf


    William Maley

    Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com

    September 4, 2012

    Please give a warm welcome to the seventh-generation Volkswagen Golf, introduced today in Germany. Volkswagen says the next-generation Golf offers "more features, even better safety, and more performance."

    The design of the new Golf is an evolution of the last-generation Golf, with sharper lines, an smaller grille, and other changes.

    "One of the keys to the Golf’s success lies in its continuity. There are a handful of cars with a design that, like the Golf’s, has been refined, tweaked and enhanced down the decades and thus become timeless." said Walter de Silva, Head of Design for Volkswagen AG.

    The big story with the Golf is the weight-loss. Volkswagen dropped almost 220 lbs from new model thanks to the new MQB platform and other weight saving measures. The new Golf also features more high-strength steel in the body.

    As for the European market, the Golf will come a range of gasoline and diesel engines, and the choice between of six-speed manual and six-/seven-speed DSG transmission. The European market model will also include a load of new safety tech.

    The new Golf will be shown at the Paris Motor Show later this month with sales beginning later on. Information about when and what will be the U.S. Golf will come sometime next year.

    Source: Volkswagen

    Press Release is on Page 2


    VOLKSWAGEN UNVEILS SEVENTH-GENERATION GOLF IN BERLIN

    First official images of VW’s best-selling car—and the first model off the new MQB architecture.

    Herndon, VA, Sep 4, 2012 - Volkswagen today unveiled the new Golf, its best-selling car, at a press conference in Berlin, Germany. This seventh-generation version of one of the world’s most popular cars is striking in that it offers more features, even better safety, and more performance than the outgoing vehicle, while breaking the cycle of being heavier than its predecessor.

    Overcoming the weight spiral

    Indeed, the latest Golf is up to 220 pounds lighter than the outgoing car, thanks to careful focus on weight savings in all aspects of the car’s construction, from the electrical architecture through to the engines and the body-in-white. The air conditioning unit is, for example, six pounds lighter than the old car’s; the seats have shed 15 pounds; and the body-in-white is 51 pounds lighter. One major reason for the bodyshell’s weight loss is the extensive use of high- and ultra-high strength steels. The share of the high-strength steels overall has gone from 66 percent in the previous Golf to 80 percent in the new one. Of this, the share of ultra-high-strength steel has gone from six to 28 percent.

    Better fuel efficiency

    One benefit of lowering the Golf’s weight is better fuel economy: the European-market 1.4 TSI® that uses a 140-horsepower, turbocharged, 1.4-liter engine fitted with cylinder de-activation gets a European Cycle combined fuel consumption figure of 49 mpg, while the base 105-horsepower TDI® Clean Diesel engine delivers 62 mpg on the EC combined cycle.

    Longer, lower, wider

    The new Golf is 2.2 inches longer than the old car, with an overall length of 167.5 inches. Similarly, the wheelbase has grown by 2.3 inches to 103.8 inches. Since the front wheels are now located 1.7 inches further forward, the proportions are sportier, the crash structure is improved, and the interior package further optimized. The new car is 0.8 inches lower and 0.5 inches wider than the old car.

    Improved interior

    The new Golf is more spacious, with a passenger compartment that is 0.6 inches longer than before, giving 0.6 inches more rear kneeroom. Shoulder room is improved by 1.2 inches in both the back and front of the car. Cargo capacity has also been enhanced, while the load area is more accessible.

    A key feature of the interior is a new infotainment system, which incorporates a five-inch touchscreen, even on entry-level European models. At the top end, the Golf features a navigation system which has a large, eight-inch touchscreen.

    User Feedback

    Recommended Comments

    i posted a link to some pics of the dash in one of the VW threads. Looks basically like the old one, a little snappier and shaped a little bit swoopy like the Focus.

    Overall, I am not big on VW......not that they don't drive well, more like they (or their stigma / aura) don't really correspond to me.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    I get a very different Vibe fromk VW, but I know a bunch of old air cooled VW guys, a bunch of TDI guys, and a bunch of guys who race and autocross cars like the GTI and GLI.

    The "granola" VW crowd isn't on my radar.

    But yeah, other than a MINI Coupe as a performance car, or a Miata as a Convertible, to me the Golf GTI and TDI are the ultimate small cars. I would actually rather drive a GTI than a C class benz or a 5 Class BMW....or a Lincoln, or a Lexus for that matter.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites



    Join the conversation

    You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
    Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

    Guest
    Add a comment...

    ×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

      Only 75 emoji are allowed.

    ×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

    ×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

    ×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.




  • Support Real Automotive Journalism

    Cheers and Gears Logo

    Since 2001, Cheers & Gears has delivered real content and honest opinions — not emotionless AI output or manufacturer-filtered fluff.

    If you value independent voices and authentic reviews, consider subscribing. Plans start at just $2.25/month, and paid members enjoy an ad-light experience.*

    You can view subscription options here.

    *a very limited number of ads contain special coupon deals for our members and will show

  • Similar Content

  • Posts

    • OUCH, a very solid assessment of Tesla imho. 'He's Alienated The Wrong People' — Scott Galloway Blames Musk's Politics For Tesla's Fall From 8th To 95th In U.S. Brand Rankings
    • This isn't new.  I can't make a decision on buying a car, since I haven't made the even bigger decision to precede when and WHERE to buy a car. I've got a lot of points from my GM Card.  Never would I have thought the market would change so drastically after I last used its accumulation and would start accumulating again. So, if I were to buy a tide over used car to keep for a few years, then what?  All low mileage ... the last Buick Verano 2.4 L the last Chevy Impala 2.5 L the 2015 Malibu with Camaro rear lights 2.5 L the last Mercury Milan 4 cyl. the last Charger base 3.5 V6 Something else Low mileage "older" cars cost a bundle, IF it's a dealer that's selling them.
    • Been 1 year since I installed my home Level 2 charger and have to say, I have had zero problems with it. No issues from ChargePoint and still going strong. Total cost of home charging for the year to cover roughly 19,000 miles has been $ 757.00 based on the tracking that the ChargePoint app on my cell phone does.
    • Much appreciated, thank you. That is crazy and sad that GM, Toyota, Nissan in this day and age have allowed sloppy manufacturing to happen. Demming and Drucker were right about needing to keep a close eye always on quality for long term success. I do not blame your friend and hope GM does right by him and all the others. I think a 10yr / 100,000 mile powertrain warranty is proper here.
    • One of my best friends bought a 2024 Silverado Trail Boss with the 6.2 and he's not too stoked about it. He hasn't' had any issues thus far, but he's very skeptical about long-term ownership. He said there's a rumor that they'll extend the warranty to 10yr/100,000 and he'd be satisfied with that, but if they don't he certainly wouldn't want to own it past his OEM warranty. I don't blame him, either. It sucks because he said he planned to keep the truck for 10 years as it's kind of a do-all for his family and him. He doesn't want to have to trade it in after 5 years because he has a good chance of needing to replace the engine. GM needs to do right by all these owners.  https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a64611938/chevy-silverado-tahoe-cadillac-escalade-defective-v8-recall/ "General Motors is recalling 721K full-size trucks and SUVs with the 6.2-liter V-8, as the engine might be defective; a stop-sale has also been ordered. The recall list includes popular models such as the Cadillac Escalade, Chevy Silverado 1500, and GMC Yukon—all of which are 2021–2024 models. The problem stems from internal manufacturing defects, and vehicles must pass inspection or possibly require an engine replacement. "
  • Who's Online (See full list)

  • My Clubs

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.

Hey there, we noticed you're using an ad-blocker. We're a small site that is supported by ads or subscriptions. We rely on these to pay for server costs and vehicle reviews.  Please consider whitelisting us in your ad-blocker, or if you really like what you see, you can pick up one of our subscriptions for just $1.75 a month or $15 a year. It may not seem like a lot, but it goes a long way to help support real, honest content, that isn't generated by an AI bot.

See you out there.

Drew
Editor-in-Chief

Write what you are looking for and press enter or click the search icon to begin your search