Over the years, the VW Golf has gone from being a somewhat boxy, if practical creation to a relatively sleek contender in the premium hatch segment. Reports now suggest that the seventh-generation car will take the rakish styling a step further.
The new car, which goes on sale next year, will feature subtly altered proportions that will see the front and rear tracks stretched slightly while the roofline and driver’s position will be lower than that of the current car. This restyle will also incorporate a more steeply raked windscreen to give the car a sportier stance and a lower drag coefficient.
The reports also suggest that the interior will also feature certain design cues that with further hint at the new model’s sportier demeanour – these include a new instrument panel and a facia angled towards the driver.
According to British publication Autocar, the redesign will help to further differentiate the numerous Golf models on the European market, including the three- and five-door models as well as the Golf Plus mini-MPV.
There’s no word yet regarding the powertrain line-up destined for the new car, but expect mildly revised versions of the company’s current crop of turbodiesels and twin-charged petrol engines optimised for improved fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. The new car is also likely to introduce a number of weight-saving measures to further improve efficiency and a new active-steering module dubbed “mechanical active” will reportedly be offered.
Don’t forget to pick up the July issue of CAR magazine, in which we take a look at how the eighth-generation Golf will utilise lightweight technology from the Lamborghini stable.