The countdown has begun: The Golf pre-sales phase in Germany will begin in December; the rest of the European markets will follow suit in Q1 2020. The eighth generation of the best seller, which has sold more than 35 million units to date, marks the launch of a car that is not only one of the most innovative compact class models in the world, but one of the most progressive motor vehicles anywhere. Its digital interior architecture opens up a new dimension of intuitive operation; assisted driving is possible up to 210 km/h; it is the first Volkswagen to use the collective traffic intelligence of Car2X to predictively warn of hazards; and with five hybrid versions on offer it brings electrification to the compact class. The standard equipment in the Golf has been massively expanded. The new basic version alone boasts high-tech features such as the Lane Assist lane keeping system, Front Assist area monitoring system with City Emergency Braking System and Pedestrian Monitoring, a new oncoming vehicle braking when turning function, Car2X, a digital cockpit, an online Infotainment system with 8.25-inch touchscreen, a multifunction steering wheel, as well as LED headlights and LED tail lights.
Dynamic evolution of the exterior
- Power, precision and LED technology dominate the new Golf’s exterior
- The drag coefficient (Cd) has been lowered from 0.3 to 0.275
Charismatic exterior. Since the debut of the first Golf 45 years ago, this Volkswagen has always been a vehicle that merged high levels of everyday suitability with a clear-cut, accurate design. The new Golf continues this approach. A prime example of aesthetically perfect design and function: the silhouette. The dominant design element in this context is the C-pillar, a distinctive element of the Golf. It makes the body dynamic towards the front, concentrates it towards the rear and transfers the iconic shape of the original Golf into the present. Just as striking are the powerful shoulder sections and very strong rear section, the charismatic front section with emphatically narrowed radiator grille and a “slice” right through the vehicle, appearing as a sharp line at the height of the door handles. LED technology replaces any conventional lighting technology in all versions – in this process, the new lighting design becomes a dominant and unmistakeable style element of the eighth Golf generation.
Dimensions and aerodynamics. A quick look at aerodynamic values confirms that every part of the body has been reshaped and refined in the wind tunnel: the end face has been lowered to 2.21 m2 and the drag coefficient (Cd value) has been cut to 0.275 from 0.3. These perfected aerodynamics have a positive impact on consumption, but that’s not all: the new Golf is even quieter and more comfortable, as it takes on headwinds with the lowest-ever drag from air resistance.
Digital revolution in the interior
- The digital cockpit changes the way we drive
- Digitalisation enables intuitive operation
Self-explanatory, digital world. The new instruments and online Infotainment systems merge at the same level to form a digital cockpit. Individual areas featuring touch buttons and touch sliders perfectly round off this digital world of the Golf. A windshield head-up display is optionally available to further enhance the range of information available. Digitalisation throughout the vehicle allows largely self-explanatory and intuitive operation by the driver thanks to touch surfaces, natural voice control, and the Alexa web app. It is a clear statement that Volkswagen is pulling out all the stops, using digital controls and displays to elevate the interior to a new level of interaction between human and machine. The systems are not only connected to each other either, as thanks to an online connectivity unit (OCU) they have also been connected to the world outside the Golf. The standard OCU featuring integrated eSIM links to We Connect and We Connect Plus online functions and services. For example, online connection makes navigation interactive, as automatically displayed points of interest along the route are stored with associated information – for instance the telephone number to book a table in a restaurant via smartphone and the Golf Bluetooth interface. It is clear that the networked, digital cockpit in the Golf will change the way we drive cars. The technological leap this represents is comparable to the debut of the very first touch-based smartphones.
Assisted driving and collective intelligence to boost safety
- New Golf offers assisted driving up to 210 km/h
- Car2X communication warns of local hazards well in advance
Connected technologies. The eighth Golf is setting a new benchmark in the compact class in terms of assisted driving functions: Travel Assist, a feature that has been installed in a compact-class Volkswagen for the very first time, makes assisted driving of the Golf possible on motorways up to speeds of 210 km/h without having to actively steer, accelerate and brake. This consequently improves convenience and safety, particularly on long journeys. The new Golf is also the first Volkswagen to link up with its environment as standard: Car2X functionality applies the information provided by other vehicles within a radius of up to 800 metres in addition to signals from the traffic infrastructure to warn drivers and also forward these warnings to other Car2X models. As a result, collective intelligence becomes a reality. It’s the dawn of a new phase of road safety considering Volkswagen, as a manufacturer of high-volume models such as the Golf, will turn Car2X warnings into the standard within only a very short time. The new IQ.LIGHT LED matrix headlights provide added safety with partly interactive light functions.
Eight new drive system versions for the Golf
- Hybrid campaign launched with the debut of the new Golf
- Pioneering, efficient TSI and TDI high-tech engines
TSI, TDI, TGI, eTSI, plug-in hybrid. The engine range of the new Golf features petrol (TSI), diesel (TDI), natural gas (TGI), mild hybrid (eTSI) and plug-in hybrid drives. All petrol and diesel engines are turbocharged direct injection units. Once all engines are launched, the available output levels will range between 66 kW/90 PS1 and over 221 kW/3001 PS. For the first time, eight drive system versions will be available for the Golf. The new range will see two three-cylinder petrol engines generating 66 kW/90 PS1 and 81 kW/110 PS1 as well as two four-cylinder diesel engines with 85 kW/115 PS and 110 kW/150 PS being released for the first time. The new TSI versions include features like the innovative TSI Miller combustion process to ensure particularly low consumption and emissions. A new TDI feature: in these engines, Volkswagen applies twin dosing – dual AdBlue injection – to significantly cut nitrogen oxide emissions (NOx). Consumption in the new TDI: up to 17% lower than in the equivalent predecessor. Also new: four of the five hybrid drive systems of the eighth Golf generation.
Three eTSI and two plug-in hybrid variants. The new Golf will be the first Volkswagen that will be available with no less than five hybrid drives. In this process, 48 V technology is celebrating its debut at Volkswagen: a 48 V belt starter generator, 48 V lithium-ion battery and the most recent generation of efficient TSI engines have gone into the new eTSI mild hybrid drive system. The benefits are tangible: consumption has been cut by around 10% compared with the equivalent predecessor, and the vehicle is extremely agile and comfortable as it starts up. Volkswagen will offer the Golf in three eTSI output levels: 81 kW/110 PS, 96 kW/130 PS and 110 kW/150 PS. The new generation of the best-selling car will also be available as two plug-in hybrid drive versions. A new efficient version of this plug-in hybrid generates 150 kW/204 PS, while the GTE version with a very sporty setup (upgraded from its predecessor) delivers 180 kW/245 PS. Both Golf plug-in hybrid drive versions will launch with a new 13 kWh lithium-ion battery on board that enables a long electrically powered range and temporarily turns the Golf into a zero-emissions vehicle.
Four new equipment lines guarantee maximum individuality
- Golf, Life, and Style as new equipment lines
- New R-Line equipment replaces the predecessor’s R-Line packages
Re-configured specification packages. Volkswagen has completely reconfigured the range of equipment available for the standard 5-door Golf. The previously available Trendline, Comfortline and Highline equipment lines are no longer. In future, these will be replaced by Golf, Life and Style as well as a sporty R-Line version. All new lines feature significantly more comprehensive equipment than their equivalent predecessors. The basic equipment already includes features such as LED headlights and LED tail light clusters, Keyless Start, a digital cockpit, We Connect and We Connect Plus mobile online services and functions, a multifunction steering wheel, automatic air conditioning, Lane Assist lane keeping system, a new oncoming vehicle braking when turning function, Front Assist area monitoring system with City Emergency Braking System and predictive pedestrian protection system, as well as Car2X. Over the course of the next year, the standalone Golf GTIGTI TCR, Golf GTDGolf GTEand Golf Rmodels will follow.
The Golf presents the most recent version of the Modular Transverse Matrix (MQB)
- The innovations of the Golf influence all MQB product lines
- Volkswagen produces over 3.4 million MQB models every year
Powering progress. The most recent version of the MQB is making its debut with the eighth generation of the Golf. For this reason the Golf is – and has always been – far more than just a product line. Volkswagen’s worldwide success and the rise of Volkswagen AG to become number one amongst all automotive manufacturers are directly linked to the Golf. It was the brand’s first MQB model in 2012, since when worldwide bestsellers have been developed on the basis of this extremely flexible technical matrix – including Volkswagen models that have sold millions of units, such as the Passat, the US American Jetta and the successful Lavida and Sagitar models in China. These are supplemented by popular SUVs such as the Tiguan, T-Roc or the US model Atlas, which have an MQB heritage that goes right back to the Golf. If you add up Volkswagen models’ 2018 production figures based on MQB alone, this results in more than 3.4 million vehicles. Around 5.1 million MQB units were produced in 2018, across the Group and including all brands. All these models will benefit from the most recent innovations in the eighth Golf generation, which indicates the starting point and guide model for MQB over the next decade.