New 2013 VW Golf Award
Published Date: 16th Dec 2012
The stylish new Volkswagen Golf has claimed the award of ‘All the car you’ll ever need Car of the Year’ in the TopGear Magazine Awards 2012.
The seventh generation Golf offers more room for passengers, rear legroom is improved by 15 mm, and the front seats have been moved 20 mm further back, additional space has been made in the front between the seats, by way of the new electronic parking brake which has an auto-hold feature, the vehicle also has a bigger boot with 30 litres more storage space.
Despite new technological features, more advanced than it’s predecessor and the larger size, the new VW Golf is 100 kg lighter, helping to make it a more efficient vehicle and still keep the unmistakable shape and style of the Golf. On top of this, the new Golf is also safer than ever, thanks not just to a stronger body structure and a host of passive and active safety features.
Inside the new VW Golf the console is now angled more to face the driver, giving them easier access to controls, the VW golf sports a new generation of touchscreen ‘infotainment’ system, entry level models come as standard with a 5.8-inch colour display system with top of the range Golf models equipped with and an 8 inch colour display with sat nav. Other features included are a DAB digital radio with USB input, Bluetooth and trip information.
If you need to use your phone a lot while on the move you’ll be glad to hear that the new Volkswagen Golf has an option to include a universal phone holder with an inductive aerial, this increases the signal strength on your phone and also reduces the drain on the phone’s battery, the phone holder sits conveniently in a compartment under the centre armrest.
The new car’s interior is definitely a winner and vehicles in this class will need to look at the quality of materials and finish as a benchmark, they wouldn't look out of place in a ‘premium’ vehicle.
VW has provided improvements in power and economy with the new Golf coming as standard with stop/start technology across the range for improved fuel economy.
There are two turbocharged (TSi) 1.2-litre petrol engines (85 and 105 PS), and two 1.4-litre TSi engines (122 and 140PS). Diesels come in a 1.6 Tdi (105PS) and a 2.0 Tdi (150PS)
The 1.4 TSi (140PS) petrol engine officially does 0-62mph in 8.4 seconds with a top speed of 132mph, the 2.0 diesel TDi does 0-62mph in 8.6 seconds and has a top speed of 134mph.
If you’re looking for economy VW figures for the 1.6 TDi are 62mpg (urban) and 81mpg (extra urban), the 1.2 petrol figures are 48mpg (urban) and 67mpg (extra urban).
For the first time, the new VW Golf is available with driver profile selection which has four modes; Eco, Sport, Normal and Individual.