01506 656551 Choosing the right club
A new Volkswagen Golf has just arrived on the scene – but you’ll need sharp eyes to spot it.
The Mk VII Golf is four-years old so VW has given it a little nip and tuck to keep it fresh. Nothing too drastic – after all, why mess with something that’s not broken - the Golf was the UK’s best-seller in its hatchback sector last year with more than 72,600 registrations.
There’s new bumpers front and rear, new halogen headlights with LED daytime running lights or full LED headlights – standard on performance models, optional for others – instead of xenon headlights; new front wings; and new full LED rear lights as standard. The changes are very, very subtle.
There’s also some new technology, including a range-topping 9.2-inch touchscreen – which depending on model can be operated by Jedi mind trick-like gesture control - new wheel designs and body colours. Fresh trim panels and materials also upgrade the interior. All for almost £650 less than the outgoing car.
There’s also a new seven-speed version of VW’s slick DSG auto gearbox for higher performance models.
The Golf has always been an excellent all-rounder, and this version is no exception. In 58.9 mpg – was seconds – though it seems much quicker fact, choosing not available at – and on to a top speed of 144 mph. Yet which version the UK launch. it officially returns 61.4 mpg with CO2 you want may However, priced emissions of just 116g/km. be the hardest from £20,120, As you’d expect, it’s packed full of thing to do. With the SE Nav useful gadgets and safety equipment 113 versions, you 1.0-litre TSI including VW’s Active Info Display, a certainly have 110ps six-speed 12.3-inch high-resolution digital dash bags of choice. manual five-door, display screen..
Priced from was. And, it’s a Hit sport mode and stick it through £17,625 on-therollicking good some winding country lanes and you road, the line-up begins with S, rising drive. For many, it will be all they need. may well wonder why people pay through SE, SE Nav, GT, R-Line, hybrid It’s well specced, comfortable, extra for a GTI. It is seriously quick, GTE, GTE Advance, all-electric e-Golf, refined, high quality and does enormously stable, and handles like a GTD and GTD BlueLine to GTI, GTI everything you would want a decent dream. Performance and the range-topping hatchback to do. Like Golfs throughout Should you need a little extra room for R. The estate family also includes the the years, its handling is exemplary. Alltrack off-roader. With 110ps, it has as much power as luggage or family pets, the best-selling
The best-sellers in the new range the Mk I Golf GTI. It has a top speed of estate is predicted to be the £22,795 SE are likely to be the SE Nav spec, which 122mph, accelerates to 62 mph in 9.9 Nav 1.6 115ps TDI five-speed manual. It comes with 16-inch alloys, plenty of seconds with CO2 emissions of 109g/ produces maximum torque of 250Nm chrome and leather, remote, electric km. Unless you feel you need more from 1,500rpm, accelerates to 62mph in folding mirrors, puddle lights, adaptive speed, gadgets and up-market touches, 10.2 seconds and on to a top speed of 123 cruise control including Front Assist it’s hard to see further. mph. Its combined fuel consumption is and city emergency braking system, VW expect the best best-selling Golf 68.9 mpg with CO2 emissions of 106g/ four driving km.modes–eco,normal,sportmodeltobetheGTD2.0TDI184ps and individual – parking sensors and an five-door, six-speed manual. At £27,720 With the optional seven-speed DSG eight-inch colour touchscreen to control on-the-road, it costs over £7,000 more gearbox it costs more - £24,390 - but navigation, entertainment and other than its sibling. improves fuel economy to 72.4mpg and functions. For that you get a stonking 380Nm of 102g/km. The good news is, despite the
The new entry-level petrol engine – a torque available from only 1,750rpm. extra space at the back, it drives and turbocharged direct-injection 85PS 1.0 Overtaking is a cinch. The GTD handles almost exactly as well as its TSI with an official fuel consumption of accelerates from 0 to 62mph in just 7.5 hatchback siblings.