Hello everybody! I am in Sardinia, driving a Volkswagen Golf. Gossip would say, of course,
that it is not new, but in fact, this 7th generation is a completely changed car.
This model has a completely new platform called MQB, and new TDI and TSI engines.
It is a 1.4-liter gasoline engine, turbo, and a new 2-liter TDI and 150 PS/HP.
Here in Sardinia I drove these two models, equipped either with manual transmission or
DSG double clutch.
The new 1.4-liter TSI gasoline engine can optionally have ACT - a technology that deactivates
two cylinders (2 and 3) when the load is low. The transition from 4 to 2 cylinders and the back
can be done very delicate and you don’t feel anything inside the car.
Only the instrument cluster shows a distinctive message.
Among the items that I particularly like about the new Golf, I would include agility
and the fact that the car feels very, very light, it goes easy on cornering and you do not feel like making an effort
to make turns even with speeds of 80-90 km/h.
The new Golf is up to 100 kg lighter and this feels really good in agility and maneuverability of the car.
The steering is neutral and very enjoyable - exactly as it should be.
Very interesting is also the new multimedia system. On the flagship, for example, there is
a proximity sensor which changes from a view mode to working mode when it feels the
driver or passenger's hand close to the screen. Basically, some buttons are activated
and thus it is optimized the entire space on the display. Practically, in the display mode
you would not need those virtual buttons and it would be more useful, for example, to see a larger map.
There is no such concept as a hole in the dashboard, so basically the most unequipped Golf comes
with a basic system, a radio that, here comes the interesting part, has a touch screen!
But it is not color, of course. There are 5, 5.8 and 8 inch versions for the audio system.
As minuses for the top spec multimedia system, called Discover Pro, I would mention
that you can only view videos from CD or DVD, but not from SD card or phone.
Same thing goes with the pictures. You cannot see them from the phone, but it is possible from
SD and CD / DVD.
Very interesting is the trip computer graphics, located between the two main dials.
One single car has something similar, namely Ford Focus.
In every detail you can see that Volkswagen worked hard to make a more beautiful Golf,
more balanced and good. The quality of execution and materials is at a very high level.
Rarely you have the chance see a volume car with so neat finishes. Golf is a car that Volkswagen cares about a lot
and it shows. Technologies such as automatic braking and
adaptive cruise control (ACC) are very rare in this segment and come at prohibitive prices.
But not for Golf!
Unfortunately, for the new Golf, Volkswagen dropped the big acceleration pedal that was mounted on the floor.
It was a more ergonomic technical solution for the foot and was a step further to the premium class.
Nor the doors are as they used to be, opening in stages and controlled by a metal bolt.
Now they are like in any other car.
Basically, this shows that Volkswagen has gone too far with the reduction of weight and costs.
Even so, Volkswagen Golf 7 is very likely to remain the best-selling car in Europe.
It is a new Volkswagen hit!