WORLD OF WHEELS
GOLF 7 REACHES EXCEPTIONAL STAKES
VOLKSWAGEN has launched the new face-lifted Golf 7 – and there’s a surprise or two! First of all, the Golf is now fitted with Stage One autonomous driving. Secondly, there is a new one litre model available in the range.
The national launch, which took place from the PE Airport to Graaff-Reinet and back last week, was attended by journalists from around the country.
After driving about 500km in two days, the new Golf GTi left a lasting impression of a great car that has now become an exceptional car.
A revised engine lineup, more technology, new infotainment, improved connectivity and revised styling, with the retail price starting at R289 900, put it in the next league.
Park Assist now makes it possible to park semi-autonomously in any parking space that is parallel or perpendicular to the road; in addition the system can exit from parallel parking spaces.
For perpendicular parking spaces, not only is parking in reverse supported for the first time in a Golf, it is also now possible to drive into a parking space semi-autonomously.
The first generation of Park Assist helped the driver by performing automated steering for parallel parking.
The second generation of Park Assist added automatic steering for reverse parking into spaces perpendicular to the carriageway, and it could handle smaller parallel parking spaces.
In addition, automatic exiting from parallel parking spaces was also possible.
The third generation of Park Assist, which is now offered in the Golf, also makes it possible to park forwards into parking spaces semi-autonomously.
The Golf features the debut of the highly efficient 1.0 TSI engine with 81kW power output.
The 999cc engine is mated to a six-speed manual transmission and has claimed combined fuel consumption of 4.8 litres per 100km.
Meanwhile, Volkswagen has strengthened the appeal of the iconic Golf GTI; it now develops 169kW, an increase of 7kW from its predecessor.
In this first phase of the local market launch, Volkswagen is presenting the 2017 model Golf with the following engine lineup: a 1.0 TSI with 81kW, a 1.4 TSI with 92kW, and a 2.0 TSI with 169kW.
The 2.0 TDI with 81kW, the Golf R with 213kW and the all-new GTD with 130kW will be introduced in the second half of the year.
All the Golf’s petrol engines are turbocharged units with direct fuel injection (TSI). 1.0 TSI with 81kW
A new 1.0 TSI entry level petrol engine with turbocharging and direct fuel injection is being offered for the first time in the Golf.
The 1.0 TSI has an output of 81kW and develops a torque peak figure of 175Nm, which is particularly impressive for its engine power class.
The base engine of the new Golf model range develops 81kW – as much power as the first Golf GTI from 1976.
This maximum power is available from 5 000 to 5 500rpm. The engine develops its maximum torque of 200Nm between 2 000 and 3 500rpm.
With this engine, the Golf has a top speed of 196km/h and accelerates to 100km/h in 9.9 seconds.
Combined fuel consumption is 4.9 litres per 100km. It is mated to a six-speed manual transmission. 1.4 TSI with 92kW
The 1.4-litre TSI with 92kW (5 000 to 6 000 rpm) has been retained.
This lively engine delivers its 200Nm maximum torque over a large speed range from 1 400 to 4 000rpm. The Golf 1.4 TSI completes the sprint to 100km/h in 9.1 seconds.
It reaches its top speed at 204km/h, while combined fuel consumption is just 5.2 l/100km. 2.0 TSI with 169kW
The iconic Golf GTI has been given more power. The new GTI now has similar power output as the outgoing GTI Performance at 169kW.
The 0 to 100km/h classic sprint is achieved in 6.4 seconds and the top speed is limited to 248km/h.
The car also sparkles with new technical innovations.
For the first time in the compact class, the new Discover Pro radionavigation system can be operated via gesture control.
Sporting a 9.2-inch touch screen, the optional system complements the Active Info Display.
As before, the new car sits on the now familiar MQB, or Modularer Querbaukasten (Modular Transverse Matrix) platform, which means it benefits from the latest available technology and shares elements of its underpinnings with other successful new models such as the award-winning Passat and latest Tiguan.
The above high-tech spec is only a sample of what the new Golf bristles with!
Prices range from R289 900 to R545 800.