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 compact VW received an extensive mid-life facelift, bringing in a host of new technologies in its each segment, including semi-autonomous systems, gesture control and a fully connected line of new infotainment systems.

Visually the changes are subtle as you would expect, with 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 updated skin VW has given the new Golf an all-new 1.5-litre TSI petrol engine that makes 148hp (150PS) 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 128hp (130PS). VW says that the new 148hp engine returns a NEDC combined 57.6mpg UK (4.9lt/100km) and 110g/km of CO2, while the 128hp version returns 61.4 mpg UK (4.6lt/100km) and 104g/km of CO2 emissions.

“The result is that the new Golf will therefore be up to one litre more fuel efficient in real-world operation than engines of comparable power. That is Smart Sustainability. That is affordable progress for everyone,” says Dr Frank Welsch, Member of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen Passenger Cars.

VW has also upgraded the GTI’s powertrain which now makes 226hp (230PS) as standard and 241hp (245PS) 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.

But 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.

“The main focus is on a completely new generation of infotainment and connectivity. No other compact car is smarter, safer or more interconnected,” said Dr Herbert Diess, Chairman of the Volkswagen Brand Board of Management. “Volkswagen is gaining momentum. In 2017, we will be presenting more than ten new models and major updates. By 2020, we will have renewed our complete line-up.”

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.

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