Communiqué de presse officiel
[Pour ceux allergique à la langue de Shakespeare, je ferai un résumé in ze french asap; peut-être qu'un media français publiera un communiqué de VW France directement... J'ai accès au site presse global de VW, pas celui spécifique à VW France]
The new Golf: initial facts 1
Initial Facts
The Best Golf of All Times
-Golf’s high levels of value and comfort nullify class distinctions
-New Golf design points the way to Volkswagen’s future
-TDI, TSI and DSG systems improve fuel economy by up to 28 percent
-First Golf with adaptive chassis and automatic distance control
Wolfsburg, August 2008. Volkswagen is unveiling its most
important automotive secret of the year: the new Golf. The car –
Europe’s most successful with more than 26 million sold – was
improved in all areas. “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. The European market launch of the new Golf will
begin in October; following in succession will be Africa, Asia,
Australia and North America. The entry price for the German market
is around 16,500 Euros.
Innovative power – the Golf democratizes progress
The clear and powerful design of the new Golf is showing the entire
brand the way to the future. Its acoustic properties and the overall
comfort of the Volkswagen tear down class distinctions. Innovative
engines and transmission technologies lower fuel consumption by up
to 28 percent. All gasoline and diesel engines satisfy limits of the
future EU-5 standard.
Assistance systems such as “automatic distance control” (ACC),
“adaptive chassis control” (DCC) and the “park steering assistant”
bring additional top technologies on board the Golf. A new ESP
system, with finer response over its control range, further optimized
crash properties, seven airbags including knee airbag, the special
The new Golf: initial facts 2
head restraints (WOKS) that counteract whiplash trauma, a “seatbelt
detection” feature debuting in the rear seating area of the Golf and
daytime running lights – that are standard equipment – provide for a
maximum level of safety.
Exterior design – Precision in a new form
The high value of the new Golf is reflected par excellence in its
stylish design; all key body elements were redesigned: “We have
cast the Golf’s core components in a precise, new mold”, explains
Walter de Silva. And the Italian design chief of the German
corporation emphasizes this: “The Golf is the global icon car
making. So the architecture and graphic form of new model are also
absolutely clear and unique.” At the same time, the sixth Golf has a
sportier and more distinctive appearance than any previous
generation of the model series. De Silva: “It is more accentuated,
more three-dimensional than its predecessor; with precisely defined
lines and edges, and with finely proportioned flared surfaces and
recesses.” And Klaus Bischoff, Chief Designer for the Volkswagen
brand, adds: “Every detail is uncompromisingly aimed at improving
value.”
Especially in a direct comparison of generations five and six, it
becomes clear just how much the new Golf has changed. The team
headed up by de Silva and Bischoff sought to crystallize out the
“essential DNA” of the model series and send it on a trip to the
future. These stylistic characteristics include the clear front end of
the first generation and the C-pillar that was perfected in the fourth
generation.
The roof section now rests – similar to the new Scirocco – on a
dominant filled out shoulder section. Responsible for this is a
prominent curving line that – like a muscle trained down to the last
fiber – extends from the headlights back to the taillights. In its side
profile, this line – which Volkswagen Design calls the “character
line” – also gives the new Golf a fuller, lower stance on the road
from a side perspective.
All body surfaces are generally more relaxed, more athletic. In front
the new car takes up the horizontally aligned radiator grille trim strip
between the headlights of the first Golf generation; the grille itself is
high-gloss black. The lines of the bumper match those of the radiator
grille. Beneath this is an adjacent section with another air scoop.
Also arranged on a black background are the chrome light housings
of the dynamically styled headlamps.
In the rear too is characterized by a dominance of horizontal lines.
The taillights – very wide now – are identified among other things
by an unmistakably unique night design. Stylistically – with their
crystal-clear lines for the turn signal and backup lamps – they bear a
resemblance to the taillights of the Touareg. Overall, the image of
the new Golf – in the interplay of all of its design characteristics – is
one of a significantly wider, flatter and even more high-end car.
Interior – imploding class distinctions
The car’s exceptional value also applies to the newly designed
interior, whose refined surfaces and features completely transform
class distinctions, both to the touch and visually, especially in the
cockpit area. The appearance and layout of materials and details
such as brushed chrome accents and round instruments derived
directly from those of the Passat CC leave the impression that one is
actually sitting in a car of the next higher segment. Ergonomic
properties of the car’s interior were also further developed. For
example, all operating controls are even easier to use. They include
the control of the automatic climate control system (Climatronic) –
presented for the first time on the Passat CC – and the power
window controls that are now located further forward in the door
trim, making them easier to access.
There is a common thread here: Volkswagen’s typical attention to
perfection of every detail in the car. Take the example of “seatbelt
detection” in the rear: if the Golf is ordered with rear side airbags,
the user can recognize on the multifunctional display in the cockpit
whether the occupants have their seatbelts fastened in the rear –
separately for each seat. Or take the example of leather seats: a new,
more robust leather surface is being used. Or the example of the
cargo area: four practical hooks ensure that after shopping, the
contents of shopping bags are not strewn across the cargo area. Or
the example of the outside mirrors: thanks to an aerodynamically
optimized shape they get significantly less dirty. They are easier to
adjust from the interior, since the power mirror adjustment control is
now located further up and more forward in the door trim.
Noise reduction – the quietest Golf since the first model
The new Golf is characterized by first-class acoustic properties. A
special damping film in the windshield also reduces driving noises,
as does the newly developed seal concept for the doors and side
window guides. The new shape of the outside mirrors also
significantly reduces wind noise. Furthermore, special modifications
were made to acoustically isolate the engine and passenger
compartments from one another better. Very quiet rolling tires and
new engine bearings round out the noise reduction package.
Diesel engines – migration to common rail injection
Making a significant contribution to the pioneering acoustic
properties are the exceptionally quiet TDI common rail engines
being used in the Golf for the first time. Two balancer shafts also put
an end to undesirable vibrations. Plans call for a TDI power range
extending from 66 kW / 90 PS to 125 kW / 170 PS. Right at the
market launch, Volkswagen will be offering the Golf with two 2.0
liter TDI engines; they output 81 kW / 110 PS and 103 kW / 140 PS.
Always there as production equipment: a diesel particulate filter
(DPF).
The new TDIs are exceptionally fuel efficient. The 110 PS strong
entry-level diesel is satisfied with 4.5 liters of fuel (119 g/km CO2)
per 100 kilometers – that represents a 0.6 liter reduction! Even the
140 PS version only requires 4.9 liters of diesel (129 g/km CO2),
which is 0.6 liters less.
Gasoline engines – more economical than ever before
Four variants will define the range of gasoline engines in the launch
phase: 59 kW / 80 PS, 75 kW / 102 PS, 90 kW / 122 PS and 118 kW
/ 160 PS. Starting at 90 kW / 122 PS, the TSI engines come with
supercharger and/or turbocharger. The fact is that the gasoline
engines too are pioneering when it comes to fuel economy. The
optimized 80 PS entry-level engine consumes just 6.4 liters of Super
per hundred kilometers (149 g/km CO2) – that is 0.5 liters less than
the previous model. The other TSI engines are also taking the stage
as prime examples of efficiency: at 122 PS the new Golf 1.4 TSI
consumes just 6.2 liters of Super (144 g/km CO2); this yields a fuel
consumption advantage of 0.1 liters. Even the new 160 PS top
version of the 1.4 TSI attains an excellent value at 6.3 liters.
Compared to the retired 150 PS FSI, the 160 PS TSI’s fuel
consumption was even lowered by 1.6 liters.
DSG – replaces conventional automatic
With the exception of the entry-level versions, all gasoline and
diesel engines can be paired with Volkswagen’s dual clutch
transmission (DSG). Depending on the engine torque, either a 6-
s0eed or 7-speed DSG is used. On the Golf, the extremely efficient
and agile DSG has thereby replaced the classic torque converter
automatic. Just how efficient the alliance of TSI plus DSG can be is
demonstrated by the average fuel consumption of the 1.4 TSI with
160 PS and 7-speed DSG: 6.0 liters (139 g/km CO2). This high-tech
duo replaces the 2.0 FSI with 150 PS and 6-speed automatic.
Average fuel consumption there: 8.3 liters. Savings: 2.3 liters per
hundred kilometers or 28 percent – progress in its best form.
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