VOLKSWAGEN IS UPDATING its best-selling model giving it some new styling, new engines and new technology, including the option of gesture control.
The two-door, four-door, GTI, GTE and Golf Variant are all getting a makeover.
The big news on the technology front is the option of gesture control, a first in the C-segment. Gesture control will be available with the top-of-the-range version of the modular infotainment matrix (MIB): ‘Discover Pro’. The Discover Pro version of the MIB has a 9.2-inch display with a 155 dpi resolution and is operated via gesture and touch controls as well as voice control.
Many different menus can be operated with gesture control. For example, a swipe gesture will move the horizontally-arranged menu items left or right – allowing the driver to scroll through the main menu, change radio stations, flip through the playlist or browse through the Picture Viewer and albums in the media library.
The new Golf gets a new 1.5 TSI Evo four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine making 150hp with Active Cylinder Management (ACT). It develops its maximum torque of 250Nm at low revs of just 1,500 rpm. Fuel consumption figures are quoted as 4.9 litres/100km and CO2 at 110g/km.
This new engine features an extended coasting function when the engine is deactivated – completely shutting down the TSI when the driver releases the accelerator. So far, this type of feature has only been seen in hybrids.
This TSI will be followed by a BlueMotion version making 130hp.
The Golf GTI gets a performance boost with the new version making 230hp, which now makes this standard version as powerful as the previous Performance version. The new GTI Performance also gets a power boost to 245hp.
There is also a newly developed seven-speed DSG (dual-clutch gearbox), which will gradually replace all six-speed DSGs for the Golf.
The new Volkswagen Golf arrives in Ireland in April 2017. There is no word on pricing, yet.
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