Topic: 2012 VW Golf MkVII

[Ontariodriver]

That was quick. Already a new Golf in the works.

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/251851/seven_up_for_golf.html

Seven up for Golf
MkVII hatch revealed two years ahead of on-sale date, VW promises more style, technology and efficiency.

It's the storming hatchback that’s heading to the top of the family car leaderboard. This is VW’s sensational new Golf – the seventh incarnation of one of the world’s most enduring and popular models. And this latest version is set to be the best yet.

Boasting a striking fresh look, all-new lightweight platform and an even more efficient range of turbo engines, the Golf MkVII will be the most desirable compact family car you can buy. What’s more, it will spawn a wide range of variants, including a four-door coupé and soft-top convertible.

Reinventing the Golf is oneof the toughest jobs in motoring design – and, as you can see from our images, inspiration is likely to come from VW’s New Compact Coupé (NCC) concept, displayed at this year’s Detroit Motor Show.

Although the body takes on a more square shape, the headlight lenses house twin circular LED units which help to give the Golf a familiar face. The two-bar upper grille is an evolution of the MkVI’s, but at the rear, the tail-lights are again inspired by the sporty NCC, and feature an intricate LED arrangement. As ever, the overall design is chunky yet taut with simple surfaces.

Under the skin lies an all-new platform, which is currently undergoing development. This lightweight chassis, which will also underpin the next Passat, will ensure the Golf is more efficient than ever.

Power will come almost exclusively from small-capacity turbo units, such as the recently launched 103bhp 1.2 TSI found in the Polo. Expect to see petrol and diesel three-cylinder motors, too.

BlueMotion diesels will be the stars of the line-up, offering sub-100g/km CO2 emissions and fuel returns of 80mpg. Also likely is a diesel hybrid, plus an electric version. At the top of the range, the GTI will continue alongside a GTD hot hatch diesel and four-wheel-drive Golf R.

In addition to the five-door shown here, there will be a three-door, estate and four-door coupé – the latter taking inspiration from the Passat CC. Sun-loving buyers will be pleased that VW is planning a desperately needed, all-new soft-top version, too.

All models will benefit from a wide range of gizmos including automatic parking and traffic sign recognition. The most exciting gadget will be a sat-nav system capable of warning the driver of sharp turns, speed limits and steep hills. But as the current Golf is selling well – and was only launched last year – the new version isn’t expected in dealers until 2012 at the earliest.

[tpl]

"Power will come almost exclusively from small-capacity turbo units, such as the recently launched 103bhp 1.2 TSI found in the Polo. "

I am sure they'll find room for either the 2.5 or the old 118bhp 2.0 just so Americans can use regular gas.   

[inco]

If VW wants it to be a winner here, they will have to.

[tpl]

If VW wants it to be a winner here, they will have to.

I just can never understand why people would sacrifice high compression efficient forced induction for a few cents/litre on gas.   But Thats the way it is.  Maybe, just maybe the coming fuel economy standards will force smaller engines and more efficiency.

[Jaeger]

I am really digging VW's decidedly Audi-ish ass end treatment on the new Jetta and Golf.  I am really NOT digging the bland, generic, Japan Inc. treatment of the front end that could be seamlessly grafted onto the nose of a Corolla without anyone noticing.

Jaeger

[Ontariodriver]

  I am really NOT digging the bland, generic, Japan Inc. treatment of the front end that could be seamlessly grafted onto the nose of a Corolla without anyone noticing.

Understated sells. That what they want you, us to believe. Honda proved that to be wrong. You can't move without bumping in to a MK8 Civic. 

If VW wants it to be a winner here, they will have to.

Be Reliable. 

[Dante]

If VW wants it to be a winner here, they will have to.

Nothing wrong with NA engines, but the low power makes them look very bad. Is the 2.0 even a new engine ( I cannot imagine it is) or the 10+ years old unit?

[Jaeger]

Understated sells. That what they want you, us to believe. Honda proved that to be wrong. You can't move without bumping in to a MK8 Civic. 

Could an attractive, Audi-esque face to match the butt possibly have hurt?  The A4 is certainly a very understated design overall.  But it is also a very attractive one.  VW got it half right with the Golf, which resembles an A3 that has rear ended a Corolla.

Jaeger

PS - the current generation Civic was certainly not generally regarded as an understated, conservative design at the time it was introduced to market.  The vehicle it replaced certainly was.

[huota]

With the lightweight chassis let's hope they can make it handle better and keep it comfortable at the same time.

[dkaz]

So, when is this lighter, nimble Golf coming? Looks even bigger.

[Ontariodriver]

So, when is this lighter, nimble Golf coming? Looks even bigger.

2013 most likely.

[Thinking Out Loud]

So, when is this lighter, nimble Golf coming? Looks even bigger.

It's called the Polo now.   

[Dante]

These is nothing more than another set of photoshops from Autoexpress right?

[PlanB]

So, when is this lighter, nimble Golf coming? Looks even bigger.

2013 most likely.

3 years is an eternity in the Auto industry.  As a result, many things can change in the marketplace and with the products that VW may/may not bring to NA.  Being so far ahead of production/release in NA to me means that VW is simply leaking information to see how well/poorly it is received. 

[mmret]

Not really digging the new lighting treatments. Current one looks good imho.

Somehow I doubt those wheels are going to be the production ones either. Maybe they'll show up on the non-Cuisinart GTI as 17s though.