The first set of official details regarding the Volkswagen Golf 7, including technical specifications and information about an upcoming GTI model, have been released ahead of the car’s official debut.
Larger yet lighter
Underpinned by Volkswagen’s much-vaunted MQB modular platform, the Golf 7 will be 4 255 mm long, 1 799 mm wide and 1 452 mm high. These measurements are 56 mm longer, 13 mm wider and 28 mm lower than those of the current model. In addition to a wheelbase that is 59 mm longer than that of Golf VI, the new car’s front and rear tracks will be 8 mm wider at the front and 6 mm wider at the rear.
In addition to improving crash safety characteristics, the increase in the new car’s overall dimensions goes some way to liberating extra interior space. The overall interior length has increased by 14 mm to 1 750 mm, which will reportedly free up an extra 14 mm of rear legroom, while the new car’s additional width brings about an additional 30 mm of shoulder room and 22 mm of elbow room. Luggage capacity also grows by 30 dm3 to 380 dm3, while a lowered loading height and wider boot aperture should improve the ease of loading.
The upshot of this extra space is a series of ergonomic re-jigs that sees both the gear lever position raised and the driver’s seat shifted backwards to the tune of 20 mm while additional oddment space will be freed up by using an electronic parking brake in lieu of the current mechanical item.
The Golf 7’s interior will be offered with the choice of three different-sized monitors (5-inch black and white; 5,8-inch colour and range-topping 8-inch colour with 3D graphics) linked to a wide array of navigation, entertainment and information systems.
The Golf 7 will be 100 kg lighter than the current car, thanks to such measures as:
– Adopting a greater percentage of hot-formed ultra high strength steel and steel members of differing thickness within the body structure. This alone saves an impressive 23 kg.
– Lightweight engines such as the new 1,4-litre EA211 turbopetrol unit are up to 22 kg lighter than outgoing equivalents
– Greater use of aluminium components in the MacPherson front- and multilink rear suspension shaves another 26 kg off the new car’s weight
According to Volkswagen, the base model's kerb weight will be 1050 kg – which is commendably light given the fact that Golf 7 won’t utilize any expensive aluminium/lightweight composite body panels.
Safety and innovation
Safety is said to be one of the Golf 7’s drawcards thanks to such features as:
– Multi collision brake. A system unique to Volkswagen that automatically triggers the brake booster upon impact to ensure the car pulls up in the shortest distance possible.
– Electronic differential lock similar to the system presently featured on the GTI
– Adaptive cruise control with an emergency braking assist function at speeds of up to 30 km/h
– Lane change assist
– Fatigue detection and traffic sign detection
An OPS (Overhead Parking System) using a 360-degree graphic display and dynamic headlamps will also be offered.
Drivetrain and dynamics
Much like a number of current Audi models, the Golf 7 will be offered with a drivetrain management system similar to Drive Select. It will feature five presets (Eco, Sport, Normal, Individual and, in combination with optional adaptive dampers, Comfort) as well as a variable-assistance steering system that can increase assistance in town driving conditions or add more weight when speeds increase.
The Golf 7’s initial engine line-up will comprise:
– EA211 turbocharged 1,4-litre four-cylinder direct injection petrol unit with cylinder deactivation developing 103 kW. Coupled with an updated version of the company’s 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, Volkswagen claims this unit will return an average fuel consumption figure of around 4,8 L/100 km while emitting 112 g/km of CO2
– EA288 turbocharged 1,6-litre four-cylinder common rail diesel. Developing 78 kW, this unit returns around 4,0 L/100 km and CO2 emissions of 99 g/km.
Golf 7 GTI Preview for Paris Motor Show
Volkswagen plans to reveal an all-new Golf GTI concept model at the upcoming Paris Motor Show on September 27. It will be powered by a 165 kW version of the Audi-developed EA888 2,0-litre direct-injection turbopetrol engine.
The Volkswagen Golf 7 will reach South Africa during the course of February/March 2013.
Source: Autocar.co.uk
Golf 7 Rendering and info: autozeitung.de
