Golf 7.5 to be tailgating you soon

This was a rather eventful car launch as I’ve never attended a Golf or GTI launch. I’m also a “BMW driver,” so you can imagine if this was a blog article, how different it would go down.

For the longest time I’ve held negative perceptions about the brand because of VW owners I know. As a BMW owner, we’ve long had road-rivalry with Golf and Polo drivers. It’s no secret really, and many will laugh at it, but if you belong to the respective clubs then you will know what I’m talking about. A few people have said to me “…but it has nothing to do with the cars, they’re good cars…” and while I know all this, my perception remained the same.

This launch has changed that. I now like the Golf. And if this wasn’t an article for a well established motoring company, where the proof will forever exist online, I would deny having said that, because of my allegiance.

But you’re here to read about what’s new on this GTI so let’s dive straight in.

This is the first time since the Golf 2, that a Golf has received a facelift. It has several cosmetic changes, as well as a slight power bump and new tech.

Design

Cosmetic changes come in the form of a new front and rear bumper with headlights that go further into the body, a new grille and new head and tail lights. LEDs replace xenons and are standard on performance models, while optional on other models in the line. Flowing, dynamic turn signals also made their way onto this GTI’s rear-end. There are also new wheels with some great options for a more personalized look.

In the cabin, a new infotainment system and a digital instrument panel, aka the Active Info Display (like the Audi’s ‘Virtual Cockpit’) can be found. While digital is the way to go, much like the AutoTrader mag (Read more about AutoTrader going fully digital here: http://www.georgemienie.co.za/autotrader-byebyeprint-hellodigital/), you can opt for the normal panel. Why anyone would want the old, non-digital dials is beyond me.

I absolutely love the new-look digital display. It’s sleek, sophisticated and perfectly modern. The digital screens seem to better fit our era. What’s exceptional about the one in this GTI, is the navigation that fits in-between the speedometer and rev counter dials, if you choose to have it displayed. Once set and on the move, your map appears right in front of you so you needn’t stretch attention from the road. It’s a highly convenient feature.

In terms of colours, there’s a new yellow named ‘Turmeric’, after the Indian spice, and a ‘White Silver Metallic.’ It looks amazing! Walking up to it in the parking lot it appeared white. When driving behind it, it looked like a shade of grey that would be on Audi’s palette.

Technology

A range of technological features has been built into this GTI. Maybe it’s to keep more vrrr-phaa drivers on the road and less out of the bush…just kidding!
(For non-petrolheads‚ “vrrr phaa” started trending some time ago and took off as a new description for the Golf GTI. It refers to the popping sound the Golf GTI makes when the DSG gearbox changes gears). 

VW describes this car as an “Autonomous Driving - Stage 1” vehicle. So while it has several features that can do things for the driver, it is still reliant on the driver’s input/reaction.

Such features include:

1. Active Info Display - a fully digitalized instrument cluster with numerous interactive functions all displayed virtually on a 12.3-inch colour screen. Displays can be in 2D or 3D and 5 different information profiles to choose from.
2. Gesture control on the infotainment screen – available with the Discover Navigation Pro system.
3. Adaptive Cruise Control – while not a new feature in concept, it is a new feature for the Golf.
4. Front Assist with emergency braking – when cruise control is activated and there’s no driver input the car’s warning indicators will come on, followed by the swaying of the car from left to right and if there is still no input then the car will bring itself to a stop. This all happens within 15 seconds.
5. Trailer Assist - The car executes the steering commands entered by the driver, who only needs to operate the accelerator pedal and the brake.
6. Blind Spot monitor
7. Rear Traffic Alert – when parking
8. Manoeuvre Braking Function – models from July onwards will have this feature, as well as the Tiguan and Passat.
9. Park Assist 3.0 - semi-autonomous parking
The infotainment system with gesture control needs special mention. The gesture control made its world premiere in the compact class, debuting in the face-lifted Golf. It is available with the MIB (Modular Infotainment Matrix) system - the Discover Navigation Pro.
All this appears on a large touchscreen, with clearer quality than a new smartphone, a user- friendly interface and easy connectivity. It facilitates the base for a clean and neat interior. There are no unnecessary button or knobs and the interior finishes are excellent.
Digital clusters will also feature on all of Volkswagen’s new cars.

Engines

In the line-up is a 1.0 TSI with 81 kW of power and torque of 175 Nm. It is said to develop as much power as the very first Golf GTI launched in 1976. (The first European GTI had a 1.6-litre fuel injected engine which produced 82 kW.) Maximum torque is developed between 2,000 and 3,500 r/min. The engine is paired to a 6-speed manual transmission. It has a claimed fuel economy of 4.9L/100 km. It also tops out at 196 km/h and does a 0-100 km/h sprint of 9.9 seconds.

Then there’s the 1.4 TSI with 92 kW. It accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 9.1 seconds and tops out at 204 km/h. The claimed combined fuel consumption is just 5.2L/100 km.

With similar power to that of the outgoing GTI Performance, the 2.0 TSI produces 169 kW, up from 162 kW. It’s 0-100 km/h sprint time is achieved in 6.4 seconds, while the combined fuel consumption is 6.4L/100km, but bear in mind that these are the manufacturer’s figures.

All the Golf's are powered by turbocharged petrol-engines with direct fuel injection (TSI). The 2.0-litre engine is mated with DSG transmission and manuals will no longer be available in SA. However, there are two-door and manuals available overseas.

The 2.0 TDI with 81 kW, the Golf R with 213 kW and the all-new GTD with 130 kW will all be introduced by late July. The GTD is usually priced above the GTI, but in SA its likely to be below the GTI.

The Drive

Real-world consumption figures displayed 8.8L – 9L/100km in the 2.0-litre, which was mainly long-distance travel from Graaff-Reinet to Port Elizabeth Airport. But in all fairness, we were driving in a speedy convoy. Our line of red GTI’s left onlookers in awe. It felt like a club run, so I won’t need to elaborate on that one (cue broad smile).

Returning home, I was alone in my car, and I could turn my music up to standard VW-owner levels. It was an incredible drive! The car moved smoothly and it holds well at high speed. Refinement is good too. The seats are comfortable, everything is in good reach for the driver and visibility is good.

The one thing I didn’t like though, was the excessively sharp brakes, but it may be so because the car is new. Although, I haven’t really felt this intensity of sharpness in a car. Whereby it feels like the car will flip if you hit brakes too hard. We were doing high speed on a test patch and decided to brake, and it felt scarier to brake than to continue at the speed we were doing.

The other thing I didn’t like is the lightness of the steering, the car easily sways. Was it too windy? Was it our high speeds? Is it because the BMW’s I’m used to, are stiffer? Should I have had the Driving Mode Selection in Sport? Probably yes on that last one. Whatever the case, my arms felt a bit strained and I don’t like when you need to put that much of yourself and concentration into steering.

In conclusion

Many were waiting for the Golf 8, and if you’re one of them you’ll have to wait at least another 2/2.5 years. Volkswagen decided to extend the 7th generation Golf life cycle by just a bit with the release of the “7.5”.

Volkswagen's Golf has been climbing global sales charts and has become the best-seller in its segment in SA. Its performance versions, namely the GTI and R, are exceptionally popular. By the end of 2016, VW sold 33,312,123 Golfs worldwide.

The new Golf is progression in its purest sense.

Prices (VAT and emissions tax included)

1.0 TSI 81kW Trendline Manual	R289 900
1.0 TSI 81kW Comfortline Manual	R304 200
1.4 TSI 92kW Comfortline DSG	R356 400
2.0 TSI 169kW GTI DSG	R545 800

The new Golf model range comes standard with a 5-year/90 000km service plan, 3-year/120 000km warranty and a 12-year anti-corrosion warranty. Service intervals are at 15 000km.