Chicago: Volkswagen Mark V Golf

[Variance]

VOLKSWAGEN SHOWS FIRST U.S.-BOUND ALL-NEW GOLF MODEL AT THIS YEAR’S CHICAGO AUTO SHOW

CHICAGO – Volkswagen of America, Inc. has chosen Chicago—one of the German automaker’s best metro markets in the country—to debut Europe’s best-selling car, the new Volkswagen Golf hatchback.

While the reveal of the first U.S. specific Golf comes as news to many U.S. car buyers, those who have a genuine affinity for European models already know this fifth-generation Golf is a significant automotive accomplishment. It is hands down the most popular motoring choice for drivers on the other side of the Atlantic, and it is renowned—as its predecessors all have been—for its appeal that transcends both status and social class. To the purist, the Golf epitomizes an authentic German car built for a wide group of buyers who share a stringent set of Teutonic standards for motoring.

The new Golf goes on sale this summer in both a two door- and four-door version. Volkswagen said it will announce official pricing later this year. Standard items on all new Golfs will include an advanced ABS braking system, traction control, active headrests (front), front and rear head curtain protection, front side airbags, manual climate control and anti-theft alarm system with remote locking.

Throughout Europe and in many parts of the world, Golf owners chose this model for its unique and inherent value. First and foremost, the Golf is an authentic German car. This key trait translates into superior automotive engineering, high build quality, use of top-notch materials, comfort, utility, uncompromised safety and an overriding attention to detail in the design and development of what is simply one the world’s most important and popular cars. The Golf’s model history dates back to 1974, with all-time sales nearing 24 million, making it the second best-selling car in world history. To put that number into perspective, you need to imagine that nearly 2,100 Golfs are built every day around the world.

The new Golf shown for the first time in North America at the Chicago auto show is a completely revised version from the Golf sold last year. Major new features abound; however, perhaps the most important technology resides within the confines of the all-new sheet metal and behind the prominent new grill. The new Golf, referred to internally and by enthusiasts as the Mark V for its 5th generation, is a premium car in Germany and throughout the world for sound German engineering and development.

This fifth-generation Golf platform is renowned for its solidity and sophistication that make it one of the best-selling models in the world. Built in Wolfsburg, Germany, the home of Volkswagen, the Golf benefits from Volkswagen’s high-tech production process that includes industry-leading robotics in its assembly technology and sequences.

Improved from an already solid predecessor, the new Golf records double-digit improvements in its overall structural rigidity. Such firm stature is achieved partially through the use of more high-strength body panels, intelligent design, and the exacting precision that is German automotive engineering. As stated earlier, production also plays a major role: for example, rivets are replaced by advanced laser-welding systems that require a new-generation of robotics and elaborate laser-driven measuring check points. The result is a dramatic increase in precise laser-welded seams, normally reserved for cars in much higher segments of the market. The net benefit of the Golf’s laser-welding process is a class-leading fit and finish, heightened body strength, crash protection, dialed-in driving dynamics, and reduced interior noise—all key components that set the Golf apart as a premium compact car.

Drivers of the new Golf will enjoy the model’s first fully independent suspension system that uses a multi-link rear and optimized front axle, a new powerful base engine with a larger displacement of 2.5 liters and five-cylinders generating 150 horsepower and a new optional six-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic (five-speed manual standard).

Also among the most impressive new driving advancements are a standard high-tech electro-mechanical steering system, an optional advanced electronic stability program (ESP), and new-generation ABS all-disc brakes.

The new Golf adds more interior room than ever with a larger hatch and hatch opening. Legroom has also increased in this new version.

For added assurance, the new Golf will come with 24-hour Roadside Assistance for four years with unlimited mileage and new vehicle warranties including:

•Five-year/60,000 mile (whichever occurs first) Powertrain Limited Warranty

•Four-year/50,000 mile (whichever occurs first) New Vehicle Limited Warranty with wear and tear items and adjustments excluded after the initial 12 months/12,000 miles

•12 year unlimited distance Limited Warranty against corrosion perforation

Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, Inc. is headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan. It is a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany. Volkswagen is one of the world’s largest producers of passenger cars and Europe’s largest automaker. Volkswagen of America and its affiliates employ approximately 3,000 people in the United States and are responsible for the sale and service of Audi, Bentley, and Volkswagen products through retail networks comprising in total more than 900 independent U.S. dealers.

Source: Autoblog

[CSpec]

Took them long enough. The GTI is still nowhere to be found at vw.com

[Variance]

Took them long enough.  The GTI is still nowhere to be found at vw.com

That's because the guys in charge of the web site are dumb or lazy. The GTI has been available at dealers for weeks.

[Croc]

That interior is not that great. I think it looks cheap in pictures, and you can tell it IS cheap when you sit in one like I did at LAIAS. The new VWs have great exteriors, but the interiors are not up to their usual par.

[pow]

That interior is not that great.  I think it looks cheap in pictures, and you can tell it IS cheap when you sit in one like I did at LAIAS.  The new VWs have great exteriors, but the interiors are not up to their usual par.

They seem better built than the interiors of old, but they're less pleasing to the eye and touch. The overall ambience in the Golf, Jetta, GTI, and even Passat is far too cold. Plus, I'm fed up with the three-position door hinges.

[ocnblu]

Not bad. I like it. It's sporty enough in 3 door guise. I'd like to price a 2.5 5 speed 3 door.

[ToniCipriani]

I find that interior to be strikingly similar to the Cobalt's, particularly the HVAC and radio layout.

[Flybrian]

Now that's the VW interior people remember from the 80s - bland and crap, or as elites say, 'avant-garde.'

[Mike The Canadian]

the interior looks like it's out of the last gen civic coupe (well i dont know if every model is different...I just know it looks like my cousins coupe)

[SingleStylish]

I find that interior to be strikingly similar to the Cobalt's, particularly the HVAC and radio layout.

As it should... the Cobalt was benchmarked using the Jetta. No two ways about it. Chevy built a cheaper Jetta. Now on the other hand, for a car that sells at 1.5x the price of its competition (same with the Jetta) this car doesn't raise the bar THAT high. The Jetta left me feeling like I could have bought a BMW for a couple grand more and spent several thousand less and bought a bigger more equiped V6 EX-L Honda Accord and been just as happy if not happier.

VW simply is the solution looking for a problem. They added a lot in the 90's to the market but, have become stale, expensive, and derivative for no reason...

[Snate]

Uh my Cobalt interior looks quite a bit nicer than that picture.

[CSpec]

Here's a real picture:

[Snate]

Better than the first one....still not worth any premium.

[Sixty8panther]

I'm the first one to admit too many people piss and moan about bad interiors... but WTF is up wiht the 17-differnt shades of drab-gray in the first interior shot? Horrible.

[ocnblu]

Uh... the first interior picture is clearly washed out with too much camera flash. The second pic is more representative of normal lighting.

The Volkswagen is built like a tank, and feels intuitive to drive. There is truth to that old ad slogan (I won't pretend to spell it, but you all remember that word, and maybe the loose translation given by VW.)

All you have to do is roll the windows down and shut the doors and hatchlid on a VW. Even without the cushion of air that comes with closed windows, the doors close with a solid "thunk". The car goes over the road with a secure, solid feeling. They love to be driven hard, and are stable at top speed. No fuel cutoff in a VW.

I'm interested in driving a 2.5L Golf. The power ratings closely match my '00 GTI 1.8t (which was conservately rated at 150 hp to avoid conflict with the redundant VR6 at that time.) I'm already used to the unique growl of a 5 cylinder.

A green or blue 2 door like the silver car above would suit me fine.

[Flybrian]

Even in the second pic, the stack doesn't look that 'premium', especially with that freaking pea-green radio display!! Ugh.

[ocnblu]

That pea-green radio display will be a nice blue at night. I love the blue VW dash lighting.

[Robert Hall]

That pea-green radio display will be a nice blue at night.  I love the blue VW dash lighting.

Yes..I've always liked VW's dash lighting...much nicer than the awful red Audi uses..

[The O.C.]

Uh... the first interior picture is clearly washed out with too much camera flash.  The second pic is more representative of normal lighting.

The Volkswagen is built like a tank, and feels intuitive to drive.  There is truth to that old ad slogan (I won't pretend to spell it, but you all remember that word, and maybe the loose translation given by VW.)

All you have to do is roll the windows down and shut the doors and hatchlid on a VW.  Even without the cushion of air that comes with closed windows, the doors close with a solid "thunk".  The car goes over the road with a secure, solid feeling.  They love to be driven hard, and are stable at top speed.  No fuel cutoff in a VW.

I'm interested in driving a 2.5L Golf.  The power ratings closely match my '00 GTI 1.8t (which was conservately rated at 150 hp to avoid conflict with the redundant VR6 at that time.)  I'm already used to the unique growl of a 5 cylinder.

A green or blue 2 door like the silver car above would suit me fine.

Couple of things.....Croc, I think the VW interiors are still as close to class-leading as you can get with great materials, nice graining (soft parts and hard parts) good fit-and-finish, solid switchgear, and supportive and firm seats.

On the 2.5L powertrain, Ocnblu, don't expect it to stand up to the 1.8T. I drove a 2.5L Jetta 5-speed and it's a complete DOG. Not that the engine was nasty or anything.....it had a throaty sound when you gunned it, and the shifter and clutch are extremely smooth.....but you have to drive it foot-to-the-floor to get any kind of "normal" acceleration away from stoplights, etc.

A nice compromise would be a mid-level Golf or Jetta (non-GTI or GLI) equipped with the optional 2.0T. A buddy of mine was driving one when I was driving a MazdaSpeed6 and he had NO problems staying up with me in that car (Jetta 2.0T model with auto.)

[Petra]

On the 2.5L powertrain, Ocnblu, don't expect it to stand up to the 1.8T.  I drove a 2.5L Jetta 5-speed and it's a complete DOG.  Not that the engine was nasty or anything.....it had a throaty sound when you gunned it, and the shifter and clutch are extremely smooth.....but you have to drive it foot-to-the-floor to get any kind of "normal" acceleration away from stoplights, etc.

Does it have "throttle-by-wire"? Seems that a lot of cars with that technology have that problem; there's no middle step between creeping speed and wide-open throttle.

The new Golf seems nice enough, but VW is kidding themselves if they think this car will save them. They need something new, something that will set the market afire. And they need it yesterday. I was hopeful when Bernhard took over that VW might finnally get some must-have product, but, so far, the only thing we've seen is the new convertible they have coming. Sure, it will be a hit, but it won't sell in the volumes that VW needs. They need a new Beetle, and I mean a real one, not like the one that debuted back in '98.