World premiere of the 2017 VW Golf

VW Golf

VW GolfVolkswagen is digitalising the most successful model in the Group’s history – the Golf – with a major update. The main focus of the 2017 model year is – alongside new engines, keener design and new assistance systems – a completely new generation of infotainment systems.

As a world first in the compact class, the top-of-the-range “Discover Pro” system can be operated by gesture control. With its 9.2-inch screen it forms a conceptual and visual entity with the Active Info Display, which is also new to the Golf. In parallel to this, the range of online services and apps has also been enlarged. The update to the Golf, of which over 33 million have been sold to date, also reflects a new standard for assistance systems in the compact class: technologies such as City Emergency Braking with new Pedestrian Monitoring function, the new Traffic Jam Assist (partially automated driving at speeds of up to 60 km/h) and Emergency Assist, which is also new in this segment, significantly improve safety.

The progressive digitalisation is accompanied by the enhanced EA211 TSI engine family. The new Golf initially sees the debut of the new turbocharged petrol engine, the “1.5 TSI Evo” – a 110 kW/150 PS four-cylinder turbo with Active Cylinder Management (ACT). This will be followed by a BlueMotion version producing 96 kW/130 PS. Volkswagen has also boosted the performance of the Golf GTI, the new version of which will produce 169 kW/230 PS and 180 kW/245 PS (GTI Performance) and a new 7-speed DSG (dual clutch gearbox) will gradually replace the 6-speed DSG as a high-efficiency gearbox for the Golf.

Volkswagen presents the update to the two- and four-door Golf, the Golf Variant and the sporty Golf GTI and Golf GTE at Volkswagen’s headquarters in Wolfsburg. The more refined design of all new versions of the Golf makes a more powerful impression than ever before. The modifications include new bumpers at the front and rear, new halogen headlights with LED daytime running lights, new full LED headlights instead of xenon headlights, new front wings, new full LED tail lights – which come as standard for every version of the Golf – as well as new wheels and colours, and the interior of the 2017 model year Golf is finished off with refined new decorative trims and fabrics. The range of equipment versions of the Golf remains unchanged.

VW Golf VW Golf VW Golf

 

 

New details give the Golf’s iconic design yet more unmistakable clarity, in particular the combination of the radiator grille and the headlights, which round off the original stylishly. The lower chrome strip on the radiator grille extends to the left and right as a chrome element (painted red on the GTI and blue on the GTE) and LED daytime running lights out to the headlights (the LED headlights, which either comes as standard or as an optional extra, depending on the equipment version, replace the xenon headlights in the new Golf). The cooling openings in the lower part of the bumper, which have also been redesigned, accentuate the width of the Volkswagen even more than before. The interplay of the new details make the Golf even more striking. Another optical highlight for the versions with Adaptive Cruise Control ACC and/or Front Assist including the City Emergency Braking function with new Pedestrian Monitoring is that the radar sensor for these systems on the TDI, TSI, LNG, GTD and GTI versions will no longer be located (visibly) in the lower cooling air intake in the bumper, but will instead now be hidden behind the VW logo in the upper radiator grille.

The back of the car has also been made more charismatic: from now on, all versions of the Golf and Golf Variant will come with full LED tail lights. In contrast to many standard LED tail lights, none of the functions of the Golf’s new tail lights will use conventional light bulbs. Also, the top-of-the-range version of the full LED tail lights (available for the 2 and 4-door Golf) will have animated flowing indicators. This version can be recognised by a translucent white LED stripe that turns orange when indicating. Last, but not least, the top-of-the-range version is set apart by a visually striking switch-over between the LED tail light and the LED brake lights when the brakes are applied.

For the interior of the Golf, Volkswagen’s‎ design division “Colour & Trim” has come up with new decorative trim panels in the doors, the dash panel and the centre console, as well as new seat covers.

Golf GTI. The sporty GT versions are set apart by colour applications to match the character of the specific Golf version, instead of the chrome strip in the radiator grille and headlights. One of the most important Golf GTI insignias – the red stripe in the radiator grille – is now extended as an even more distinctive feature. The crossbar in the radiator grille and little winglets at the side of the standard dual LED headlights are also red. The back of the 2017 model year Golf GTI is distinguished not only by the new bumpers and the full LED tail lights, but also by the enlarged cross-section of the chrome-plated exhaust pipes.

Golf GTE. Similar to the Golf GTI, with its red design elements, the latest Golf GTE features the characteristic blue design elements of the plug-in hybrid version. The blue winglets in the GTE’s new LED headlights, which also come as standard, visually emphasise the dynamism of this efficient Volkswagen.

Golf Variant. The diverse model range of the Golf has traditionally included the Golf Variant. The latest version of this all-rounder is also celebrating its world premiere. A new rear bumper makes the Golf Variant appear even more elongated and elegant. The full LED tail lights, which also come as standard with this version, suit this look perfectly. Just like the Passat Variant, the Golf Variant is also available with sophisticated trapezoidal chrome trim panels, which are directly integrated into the diffuser, as an option.

The update of the Golf is most readily visible inside, because the 2017 model year offers a new and increasingly digital display and control concept. It is based on the new Active Info Display and the first infotainment system with gesture control to be offered in a Volkswagen. Along with this, Volkswagen has updated its whole range of infotainment systems. Its most important characteristic is the sophisticated new design, larger touchscreens and, as outlined above, – in the case of the top-of-the-range “Discover Pro” model – gesture control, which is implemented here for the first time in the Golf’s compact car class.

 

Written by