Evidently, like Greenpeace, VW just can’t wait to tell the world about its all-new Golf hatchback as prior to the car’s media reveal at Berlin’s museum of modern art on September 4 and its public debut at the Paris Motor Show later in the month, the German company decided to share some details with journalists this week.
While no photos were released, VW outlined the highlights of the seventh generation of the Golf hatchback that will go on sale in Europe this November with the rest of the world to follow shortly after.
As we have mentioned many times in the past, the Golf VII is based on the VW Group’s brand new MQB platform shared with the also new 2013 Audi A3 and Seat Leon.
The new Golf measures 4,255mm (167.5-inches) in length, 1799mm (70.8-inches) in width and 1452mm (57.2-inches) in height, making it 56mm (2.2-in.) longer and 13mm (0.5-in.) wider but also 28mm (1.1-in.) lower than the current model. It also rides on a 59mm (2.3-in) longer wheelbase and wider front (8mm / 0.3-in.) and rear (6mm / 0.2-in) tracks.
All this results to a more spacious interior with the cabin length increased by 14mm (0.6-in.) to 1,750mm (68.9-in.), rear legroom by 15mm (0.6-in.), and front and rear shoulder room by 31mm and 30mm (1.2-in.) respectively, while the boot area has been boosted by 30 liters for a total of 380 liters.
Even though it has a larger footprint than the Golf Mk6, the German firm’s compact model is up to 100kg (220 pounds) lighter than its predecessor.
According to VW, among other savings, 3kg (6.6 lbs) were shaved from the new electrical wiring, 12kg (26.5 lbs) from the equipment features, 26kg (57.3 lbs) from the aluminum components in the chassis and 38kg (83.8 lbs) from the new body, bringing the base model’s curb weight down to 1,050kg (2,315 pounds).
As a direct result of the weight savings, VW says that fuel consumption has been reduced by an average of 13.9 percent across the range with some versions boasting up to 23 percent savings.
VW has yet to fully open its cards about the available engine range but it did confirm a new generation of three- and four-cylinder turbo diesels, along with an entry-level 1.2-liter TSI petrol and the new EA211 turbocharged 1.4-litre four-cylinder direct injection petrol unit with cylinder deactivation that produces 138hp (140PS).
When combined with a seven speed dual clutch gearbox, the 1.4 TSI EA211 is said to return 4.8lt/100km (58.9mpg UK or 49mpg) on the combined European consumption cycle with CO2 emissions of 112g/km.
According to Autocar magazine, VW will also preview the GTI version of the Golf Mk7 equipped with a new 222hp (225PS) 2.0-liter turbocharged petrol (EA888) at the Paris Motor Show, though this is something that we have yet to confirm.
Story References: Automotorundsport & Autocar
Hat tip to Bruno R.!
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