My first encounter with the fifth generation Volkswagen Golf
was back in 2004, I took the experience seriously as the MkV was replacing a
lackluster fourth generation. Not that the latter was a bad car, it was just
massively unfit to bear the Golf nameplate.
Driving the new spritely Golf was quite a superior
experience in the general sense of the term, and in my estimation the MkV was
one of the best Golf’s ever, bar the first generation’s originality at the
time. However, VW did not hesitate in replacing the Golf with a new supposedly
more refined version; the collective automotive media were in awe at the
unveiling of the new sixth generation VW Golf in summer 2008, as in their eyes
and the eyes of many other industry critics, very little had changed on a
package that seemingly required no refinements.
VW Middle-East Group presented us with the new Golf at a
one-day driving experience on the streets of Dubai and Al Ain, where over 80
regional media attendees found out its first-hand qualifications and
distinctiveness.
According to Ulrich Hackenberg, VW’s board member for product development; “We just improved the old car, it sounds banal, but you have to work very hard to do it."
VW’s outlook said that the short model cycle time is due to
one reason that is to reduce production costs. Costs are being trimmed by
factors that won't affect quality. One is to introduce a simplified
manufacturing process that requires fewer components with no affect on quality.
Two is to offer a simplified line-up of engines and comprehensive model
line-up.
Exterior
The Golf VI is built around the same platform as the
outgoing Golf, and shares the exact same suspension arms and geometry but
that’s where the similarity ends. Virtually everything else is new, improved or
refined. Every body panel bar the roof is entirely new and the finished product
looks fresh despite being a little bland. We can say that the look of the Golf
has been only face lifted and now incorporates the new brand image first seen
on the Scirocco including narrower center tapering headlights, and narrow
grille.
The rear too is characterized by a predominance of
horizontal lines. The taillights now resemble those from the Touareg and essentially
dominate the rear. Overall, the new Golf gives the appearance of a
significantly wider, flatter and higher end car.
Interior
Climbing on board, comfort is one of the things that come
first to your mind. Technology comes second. Since the Golf VI shares the same
platform and geometry, the interior space is still the same. You can easily
mistake this car for its older self while sitting inside.
The overall design hasn’t morphed dramatically from the
older version, the layout remains sedately that of a Volkswagen and the quality
of materials used has been marginally improved, again raising the standards in
its segment.
Generally, everything feels like it was built to last, and
withstand the rigors of an active daily urban lifestyle. Another significant
difference between the Golf and many competitors is the equipment level. The
new Golf can be fitted with all gadgets and luxuries Volkswagen has to offer.
The second generation entry-level 1.4 TSI we were asked to
sample around the UAE and up the Jebel
Hafeet roads handled itself pretty well on the route. In the hills, where power
is mostly needed, the 1.4TSI although frugal, was slightly on the downside. Yet
on a flat road the smallest of the Golf’s will sprint to 100kph from standstill
in a healthy 9.5 seconds. Take out half the extra’s our fully loaded tester had
in it, and I reckon a few milliseconds could be spared.
But petrol engines are now more efficient than ever, and
VW’s TSI design with both a turbo and supercharger presents unprecedented Power
to capacity ratio with a very healthy 6.3L/100km fuel economy rating in mixed
driving.
The new Golf VI, even the 1.4 entry level is available with
a DSG gearbox. The dual clutch gearbox is essentially an automatic, but also
lets the driver shift gears rather quickly.
Shifting gears therefore takes very little time with minimal
power and rev loss, making DSG faster and more economic than a traditional
automatic.
The 1.4 TSI engine is hardly audible and its turbo and supercharger
impact are virtually non-existent and provide a linear torque rise. Vibrations
from the mechanics are one of the essentials of this new generation and
contribute to the enhanced comfort level.
New on the Golf is adaptive suspension. By the push of a
button, the driver will be able to select a sporty or more comfortable ride
mode. The difference is slightly noticeable but does change the feel of the
power steering and throttle response as well as quicker gearshifts.
A sporty GTI in mid-2009, a new Golf Plus and Golf Cabriolet
have been formally confirmed as future derivatives of the Golf nameplate,
Volkswagen is also working on a Golf hybrid. In other words we can say that the
Golf VI is bringing in a true breeze of adaptation to today’s world.
The Golf is Volkswagen’s dearest and most sold model. That
is not because the car excels in one specific area, but is very good on all
areas. That may not make this a very exciting car, but it does make Golf a
rational and logical choice for millions of buyers worldwide.
The car fundamentally hasn’t changed, but only updated and
refreshed. The Golf VI thus offers more comfort, is remarkably quiet, has a
clean and tidy build quality and can be fitted with luxuries that could only be
found in the absolute top segment. The award winning engines are strong,
efficient and perform with ease.
The new design is no more than a slight line on the surface,
but beneath it, the Golf VI offers a vast array of enhancements.
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