[General Car News]Volkswagen officially reveals the refreshed 2017 Golf

VR6OC News Bot · November 10, 2016

The Volkswagen Golf 7 was revealed almost four years ago at the 2012 Paris Auto Show, while the car reached the dealers on 10 November 2012. Compared to the previous generation, the Golf Mk7 features a roomier cabin, with greater rear legroom and boot space as well as greater shoulder room for the front and rear passengers. It is also 20 mm broader and has a 59 mm longer wheelbase than the Mk6. And now its comes time for its mid-cycle refreshment. So Volkswagen today at the special ceremony in Wolfsburg has unveiled the refreshed 2017 Golf.
Dr Herbert Diess, Chairman of the Volkswagen Brand Board of Management, explained at the world premiere: “The main focus is on a completely new generation of infotainment and connectivity. No other compact car is smarter, safer or more interconnected.” The relaunch of this success story, over 33 million of which have been sold, marks the beginning of the largest product offensive in the history of the Volkswagen brand. Dr Herbert Diess continues: “Volkswagen is gaining momentum. In 2017, we will be presenting more than ten new models and major updates. By 2020, we will have renewed our complete line-up.”

The potential of the Golf is apparent from the new status quo of the assistance systems: technologies such as Front Assist with new Pedestrian Monitoring, the new Traffic Jam Assist and Emergency Assist, which is also new in this segment, significantly improve safety. “With the 2017 model year Golf we are introducing automated driving functions to the compact class for the first time ever”, says Dr Frank Welsch, Member of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand with responsibility for Technical Development. The chief engineer continues: “Thanks to the fusion of the Lane Assist lane departure warning system and the adaptive cruise control ACC, Traffic Jam Assist can take control at speeds of up to 60 km/h in strenuous stop-and-go traffic. It steers, brakes and accelerates the new Golf.”

These innovations are accompanied by the enhanced TSI engine family. The new Golf initially sees the debut of the new turbocharged petrol engine “1.5 TSI Evo” – a 110 kW/150 PS1 four-cylinder engine with variable Active Cylinder Management (ACT). This will be followed by a BlueMotion version that produces 96 kW/130 PS2 – also with ACT, as well as a new coasting function, which temporarily completely shuts the engine down while driving. Dr Welsch adds: “The result is that the new Golf will therefore be up to one litre more fuel efficient in real-world operation than engines of comparable power. That is Smart Sustainability. That is affordable progress for everyone.” Volkswagen has also boosted the performance of the Golf GTI3, which will now deliver 169 kW/230 PS3 or 180 kW/245 PS4 (as the GTI Performance4). A new 7-speed DSG (dual clutch transmission) will gradually replace all 6-speed DSGs as a high-efficiency gearbox for the Golf.

As mentioned above, Volkswagen presents the update to the two- and four-door Golf, the Golf Variant and the sporty Golf GTI3 and Golf GTE5 at Volkswagen’s headquarters in Wolfsburg. This is where all seven generations of the Golf were developed and where the bulk of the annual volume of up to about a million Golf cars are built. The latest version of the Golf is distinguished by its more precise design. The modifications include new bumpers, new halogen headlights with LED daytime running lights, new full LED headlights to replace the xenon headlights, new front wings, new full LED tail lights fitted as standard on every version as well as new alloy wheels.

Advance sales of the 2017 model year Golf will already start at the beginning of December – with prices starting at the same base price, despite higher specifications. Volkswagen will also celebrate the world premiere of the zero-emission version of the Golf – the new e-Golf6 – with significantly increased range, at the Los Angeles Auto Show next week.