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| No, this is not the 2013 Golf 7. It is the 1976 Fiesta and it shows what the C-pillar in the seven Golfs to date have saved us from in terms of car design. |
ALWYN VILJOEN asked the ultimate car question to Andreas Mindt, designer of the Golf 7. Watch the video if the link is broken.
SINCE the runaway success of the Golf Mk 1 in 1974, the hatchback,
with those broad C-pillars, has become a bit of a tradition at Volkswagen.
Now in its seventh edition, the latest Golf is longer, larger and
100 kg lighter than the sixth, featuring a host of innovations that keeps pace
with the demands of its maturing buyers.
The Witness asked a few readers what they wanted to
know about the seventh Golf.
The
looks
Busi, a self-confessed Golfinista from Pietermatizburg, only wanted
to know what the new Golf looks like.
When shown a photo, she took one look at the new rear and said: “Oh
good, it looks like the Golf four. I am glad they did away with those fat round
lines of the Golf six.”
The
rationale
Daniel from Amanzimtoti, a former employee at Volkspares and a
Siroco driver, said: “I have just one question on the seventh Golf … Why?”
Well Daniel, as VW explains it, Golf started the tradition of
affordable, reliable hot hatches. While middle-age spread has certainly set in,
this tradition helped to give VW the highest passenger car market share in SA
last year (18,7%) followed by Toyota (14,9%).
The
GTI
A sergeant with the flying squad (who has to remain nameless as
part of police policy), had only one question: “When is the GTI coming?”
Matt Gennrich, GM of communications at VW, said the GTI could be
expected in the third quarter. Meanwhile, VW aims to sell some 800 Golf VII
models a month.
Which
model
Yashin wants to know: “What models and which one would we
choose?”
Yashin, we like the fiery little 1,2 TSI for two reasons: it offers
more for less and saves almost R5 000 on tax emissions as well.
In fact, all the new Golfs emit less carbon dioxide than the
government’s minimum of 120 grams per kilometre to ensure they all qualify for a
tax discount.
The
engines
Michael asked: “What engines do they have?”
The Golf VII comes with a choice of five engines. All of them,
except in the 2,0 TDI, are equipped with BlueMotion Technology which has a
stop-start system and a battery regeneration mode. A new petrol and diesel
engine have have been added into the new Golf model line-up.
The impressive new 1,2 TSI has a 77 kW engine that replaces the
1,6 MPI (75 kW). Next up is the 1,4 TSI, with 103 that replaces the 1,4 TSI with
118 kW and the 2,0 TDI with 110 kW that replaces the 2,0 TDI with 103 kW.
The
radio
Vanessa wanted to know: “What is the radio like?”
In two words Vanessa, touch-sensitive. Volkswagen equipped the Golf
seven with a new generation of radio and radio-navigation systems that all have
touch screens.
The screens come in three different display sizes: a five-inch,
5,8-inch and eight-inch, with the latter two screens boasting proximity sensors
that just require a finger to be near the screen for it to work.
The entry level CD-radio system offers the user a SD card slot,
aux-in interface and eight speakers.
The
drive
The writer wanted to know what the VII is like to drive. His notes
show “planted, even the 1,2 has enough power. All models v. quiet”.
Also much appreciated is the XDS electronic differential lock,
previously only available in the sixth Golf GTI.
Reminiscent of the diagonal split brakelines in the Golf Mk1, the
XDS diff lock helps to limit understeer for when enthusiastic drivers (like the
author) runs out of talent in a hairpin.
The
price
The question everyone had is what does it cost? For now, the launch
price of the base model of the new Golf (1,2 TSI 77 kW Trendline) remains the
same as that of the 75 kW Golf 1,6 MPI.
Volkswagen said if you include the new Golf’s additional standard
equipment like stop-start technology with BlueMotion technology, a
multicollision braking that stops the car after the first bump, and a five-inch
touch screen, the price advantage in favour of the new model works out greater.
All new Golfs come standard with Blue Motion, a five-year/90 000 km
service plan, three-year/120 000 km warranty and a 12-year anti-corrosion
warranty. Service intervals are 15 000 kms.
Pricing in Feb 2013
• R233
800: 1,2 TSI (77 kW) six-speed manual;
• R246
700:1,4 TSI Trendline (90 kW) six-speed manual;
• R264
900: 1,4 TSI Comfortline (90 kW) six-speed manual;
• R279
400: 1,4 TSI Comfortline (90 kW) seven-speed DSG;
• R282
300: 2,0 TDI Comfortline (81kW) five-speed manual;
• R293
600: 1,4 TSI with (103 kW) six-speed manual; and
• R334
800: 2,0 TDI Highline (110 kW) six-speed DSG.
