At 4,255 mm the new Golf is 56 mm longer than the previous model, while the wheelbase has also been increased by 59 mm to a new 2,637 mm. Since the front wheels are also located 43 mm further forward, the interplay of the new dimensions creates sportier proportions, an improved crash structure and optimised interior space. At the same time, the body has been lowered in height by 28 mm (1,452 mm) – but headroom in the interior is still very good. On the exterior, aerodynamics have also benefited from the reduced height: the vehicle's frontal area has been made 0.03 m2 smaller and its aerodynamic drag (cD x A) has been reduced by almost 10 per cent. The Golf BlueMotion, for example, achieves a cD value of 0.27 and is thus one of the best performers in its class. Nonetheless, at 1,799 mm the new Golf has been designed to be 13 mm wider. In parallel, the track widths have been increased by 8 mm in front and 6 mm at the rear. These additional millimetres give the Volkswagen a fuller stance on the road.
Space concept – more space over its length
The slight increases in length and width, as well as the increased wheelbase and optimised track widths, have a perceptible effect on space in the interior, which is now 14 mm longer (1,750 mm). Passengers in the rear seating area, in particular, can now enjoy 15 mm more knee room. Shoulder room has grown by 31 mm to 1,420 mm. Elbow room is increased by 22 mm to 1,469 mm. In the rear seating area, shoulder room was also improved by an additional 30 mm and elbow width by 20 mm.
The Golf Trendline and the mid-level Comfortline equipment line can be ordered with a front passenger backrest that folds completely forward. In addition, the 60:40 split backrest that is standard in all versions of the new Golf can be folded down. When folded, a nearly level cargo floor is created with a length of 1,558 mm; the maximum cargo space length with the front passenger backrest folded is 2,412 mm. From the Comfortline, the Golf can also be equipped with a cargo opening at the middle of the rear backrest.
The successfully implemented space concept of the new Golf exhibits many other improvements as well. Cargo capacity, for example, has grown by 30 litres to 380 litres; the variable cargo floor can also be lowered by 100 mm. Perfection in the details: the load sill to the bootspace is now just 665 mm (-17 mm) high – the best value in the core segment. In parallel, the maximum bootspace width has grown by 228 mm to 1,272 mm. Volkswagen has also increased the width of the bootspace opening by 47 mm to 1,023 mm.
Styling and controls – sophisticated, intuitive
Significantly more room and even better ergonomics define the driver's area. Taller drivers in particular will welcome the seat position that has been shifted back by 20 mm; the steering wheel's adjustment range has also been modified. Pedal distances have been optimised as well thanks to the Modular Transverse Matrix; the space between the brake and accelerator pedals, for example, has increased by 16 mm. Another ergonomic improvement: compared to the previous model, Volkswagen has raised the position of the gearbox controls by 20 mm; the gear shift grip now rests better in the driver's hand.
Tomasz Bachorski, Head of Interior Design: "Every interior element has been redeveloped and redesigned. One noticeable feature here is the wide centre console that is oriented towards the driver, which is more typical of the premium class than the compact class. Never before have the traditionally high levels of objectivity and functionality in the Golf been implemented with such elegance and sophistication." In the middle of the centre console, beneath the switch for the hazard warning lights, is the five- to eight-inch infotainment touchscreen with its menu keys and dials. All information and entertainment systems have been completely redeveloped and restyled. For the first time, Volkswagen is introducing a generation of touchscreens with a proximity sensor and a function that reacts to wiping movements by the fingers (wipe and zoom movements as used on smart phones); the graphic design of the interface also corresponds to the new age of intuitive operation.
Located beneath the infotainment module are the well laid-out controls for climate control. This is followed by the lower section of the centre console that runs in a line up to the large centre armrest. The consistent design conveys a sense of sophistication of a premium class model. To the right of the driver are the buttons for the new electronic parking brake and its Auto Hold function. Integrated in front of it is a storage compartment in which the multimedia interfaces (aux-in, USB and optional Apple interfaces) have been integrated. The compartment is also big enough to hold a smart phone.
There is a large storage compartment hidden under the centre armrest that can be adjusted by up to 100 mm in length and five stages in height. This compartment is also of a good size. For the first time in a Volkswagen, there will also be an inductive link to an external aerial. The mobile phone is placed in a universal holder in the stowage bin where the phone's antenna gets inductively "coupled" and connected to the vehicle's external aerial. This produces the same advantages as with a fixed phone installation:
- Better reception and signal strength because an external aerial is being used.
- Less drain on the mobile phone battery. By linking to an external aerial, the phone only needs minimal power to send and receive.
- Minimal radiation in the passenger compartment.
Tomasz Bachorski again: "Visually distinctive in the interior – along with the centre console is the dashboard body, the upper section of the dashboard that is upholstered with a plastic material that is visually elegant and pleasing to the touch. It is subdivided by a seam that runs across the entire interior width towards the windscreen. Each of the outer areas of the dashboard body fuses homogeneously with the window sill on each side." Like the lower area of the dashboard, the lower door trim can also be ordered in a contrasting colour. Elegant: the inlays in the door panels have illuminated trim as part of the ambient lighting fitted as standard in the Highline. The switches for the electric windows are ergonomically easy to access in the armrests; located in front of the door handle on the driver's side is the control for electric mirror adjustment. The door trim panels themselves display the motif of two intersecting curved lines, which logically divide the door trim's functional areas: armrest, door handle, storage bin and loudspeaker. Elements of the ambient lighting provide for optimal illumination and an elegant atmosphere at night. Tomasz Bachorski: "The new, white lighting of the buttons and switches underscores the premium feeling."
Seat comfort – ergonomics from the premium class
The seats of the new Golf are pioneering in their comfort. All five seating positions have been redesigned, front and rear. The seats exhibit excellent core properties: well-contoured body lines, optimal support for dynamic driving, and a high level of comfort on long trips. These characteristics were achieved by designing the foam contours to properly fit body shapes and by the optimised springing and damping properties of the cold foam cushioning sections. The two higher specification models, the Comfortline and Highline, are equipped with standard two-way lumbar support on the driver and front passenger seats. The optional 12-way electric driver's seat offers even greater individual adjustment.
Another new development making its debut in the Golf is the ergoActive seat with extended adjustments for the driver. Along with the familiar seat height adjustment and seat heating, new features for this class of vehicle are adjustment options for seat depth and angle, electric four-way lumbar support and a massage function. The ergoActive seat also offers exceptionally good ergonomic properties, which have already earned it the internationally recognised AGR quality seal.
Notes:
TDI, TSI, DSG and Twincharger are registered trademarks of Volkswagen AG or other companies of the Volkswagen Group in Germany and other countries.
Features and technical data apply to models offered in Germany. They may differ in other countries. All fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions data cited in this press kit refer to official vehicle registration values (combined values), which were determined under standard conditions in the NEDC cycle. Fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions values for the Golf 1.4 TSI with ACT (103 kW / 140 PS) and the Golf BlueMotion 1.6 TDI (81 kW / 110 PS) are forecast values as of September 2012.