VW Golf wins at New York Auto Show
The Volkswagen Golf is a year older than me and still going strong, having just won the 2009 World Car of the Year at the New York International Auto Show. Over 26 million of them have been sold since 1974 and it’s the third best selling vehicles in the world after the Toyota Corolla and the Ford F-Series truck.
Now on it’s sixth version, the 2009 Golf is quieter, more aerodynamic and more fuel efficient than previous versions although the design by Walter de’Silva was inspired by earlier models, including the Mark 1 and Mark 4. The interior has also been overhauled following the downgrade of the trim levels in the Mark 5, which led to complaints by owners and car journalists alike. As with previous models the new Golf will be available in 3 door hatchback, 5 door hatchback, 5 door estate and 2 door convertible body styles with a variety of engines, detailed below:
| Name | Volume | Fuel | Output | Torque | Engine code | 0-100 km/h,s | Top speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4 16v | 1.4 L (1390 cc, 85 cu in) | Petrol | 80 PS (79 hp/59 kW) @5000 rpm | 132 N·m (97 lb·ft) @3800 rpm | CGGA | 13,9 s | 172 km/h (107 mph) |
| 1.4 16v TSI | 1.4 L (1390 cc, 85 cu in) | Petrol | 122 PS (120 hp/90 kW) @5000 rpm | 200 N·m (148 lb·ft) @1500–4000 rpm | CAXA | 9,5 s | 200 km/h (124 mph) |
| 1.4 16v TSI | 1.4 L (1390 cc, 85 cu in) | Petrol | 160 PS (158 hp/118 kW) @5800 rpm | 240 N·m (177 lb·ft) @1500–4500 rpm | CAVD | 8,0 s | 220 km/h (137 mph) |
| 1.6 8v | 1.6 L (1595 cc, 97 cu in) | Petrol | 102 PS (101 hp/75 kW) @5600 rpm | 148 N·m (109 lb·ft) @3800 rpm | BSE | 11,3 s | 188 km/h (117 mph) |
| 1.6 16v TDI | 1.6 L (1595 cc, 97 cu in) | Diesel | 105 PS (104 hp/77 kW) @4100 rpm | 250 N·m (184 lb·ft) @2000 rpm | CAYA | 11,3 s | 190 km/h (118 mph) |
| 2.0 16v TDI | 2 L (1968 cc, 120 cu in) | Diesel | 110 PS (108 hp/81 kW) @4200 rpm | 250 N·m (184 lb·ft) @1500–2500 rpm | CBDC | 10,7 s | 193 km/h (120 mph) |
| 2.0 16v TDI | 2 L (1968 cc, 120 cu in) | Diesel | 140 PS (138 hp/103 kW) @4200 rpm | 320 N·m (236 lb·ft) @1750–2500 rpm | CBAB | 9,3 s | 209 km/h (130 mph) |
The Mark 6 Golf is due for launch in September 2009, starting producing in June. For the first time Volkswagon are to drop the “Rabbit” name that the Golf was given for a three year run in North America. Jochen Sengpiehl, executive director of Volkswagen marketing said “the car will be called the Golf again in North America.”, and this appears due to the low uptake by owners and insignificant impact on sales figures following the name change.
The Golf Twin Drive hybrid concept car (based on the Mark 5) model is due to use a 2.0L 122hp turbodiesel engine with an 82-hp electric motor with lithium-ion batteries and may be available in a limited run by 2010 with the production version based on the Mark 6 due by 2015.
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