2017 VW Golf MK7
The new facelifted VW Golf MK7 has been revealed,
bringing cutting-edge technologies and more fuel-efficient powertrains wrapped
in the same but slightly polished design language.
The new Golf gaining a set of redesigned front and rear bumpers, new LED
taillights and refreshed Full-LED headlights that now incorporate the daytime
running lights. The exterior changes are completed with new alloy designs and
the addition of new colors in the available palette.
Under the hood, VW has given the new Golf an
all-new 1.5-litre TSI petrol engine that makes 148 Hp and comes with the
Active Cylinder Management system, allowing it to shut down two of its
cylinders for greater fuel economy. This will be followed by a Bluemotion
version of the same engine that will make 128 Hp. VW says that the new 148 Hp engine returns a NEDC combined 57.6 mpg UK (4.9 lt/100km) and 110 g/km of
CO2, while the 128 Hp version returns 61.4 mpg UK (4.6 lt/100km) and 104 g/km of
CO2 emissions.
VW has also upgraded the GTI’s powertrain which now
makes 226 Hp as standard and 241 Hp in the Performance version.
Also new to the range is a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox that will gradually
replace the old six-speed DSG.
The greatest highlights of the new Golf are
about the onboard tech features, with the popular compact model receiving new
assistance systems, including the semi-autonomous Traffic Jam Assist,
Pedestrian Monitoring for Front Assist with City Emergency Braking, Trailer
Assist and Emergency Assist next to the already existing Adaptive Cruise
Control (ACC), Front Assist with City Emergency Braking System, Lane Assist,
Blind Spot Sensor, Rear Traffic Alert, Park Assist, Driver Alert System,
traffic sign recognition, Automatic Post-Collision Braking System and trailer
stabilization.
The traditional analog gauges behind the steering
wheel have also been replaced with VW’s Active Info digital high-def instrument
cluster that measures 12.3 inches in diameter. A completely new generation of
infotainment systems is also debuting with the new Golf, offering gesture
control for the first time in a production VW model and screens that range from
6.5 to 9.2 inches in diameter.
The top-of-the-line ‘Discover Pro’ infotainment
system sports a 9.2-inch HD display, ditching the traditional buttons for a set
of capacitive panels, putting everything under a stylish glass surface. The new
system will allow users to individually configure their home screens with input
methods to include, as mentioned above, gesture control, touch and voice
control.
VW will start advanced sales of the new 2017 Golf at
the beginning of December, with prices starting at the same point with the
outgoing model despite the higher level of equipment. VW will also debut the
new all-electric e-Golf next week in the LA Auto Show, which promises to offer
50 percent more driving range than the current one.
