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22/05/2009
By EWAN KENNEDY
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Volkswagen's Golf is one of the biggest selling cars of all time, so the arrival of the sixth generation Golf is an important event in world motoring. We have been driving a pair of new Golfs in a variety of countries over the last 10 days. One in Germany, Austria and Italy on a combined business/holiday trip; the other a road test in our home area of the Gold Coast immediately after getting home.
 Whether cruising at 160 km/h on European motorways, or thumping over Australian bush roads that have seen better days, the Golf coped well with the varied conditions thrown at it. Some of our Australian driving was done on coarse-chip surfaces. These surfaces often challenge imported cars, even upmarket ones but the Golf generally suppressed tyre noise well, though there were a couple of sections where more sound did get into the car than we had anticipated.
On the whole, this latest Volkswagen Golf is more refined, smoother and quieter than ever before. Indeed, the Golf felt almost Passat-like in the way it kept interior sound levels and vibration to an impressive minimum. That's an excellent feature in a car that can be put on the road in Australia for well under $30,000.
Comfort was something commented upon by passengers on several occasions during our dual test periods. The seats support well and long periods behind the wheel didn’t create any aches and pains.
Part of the reason for our emphasis on rough roads was the fact that the Golf 6 is not a totally new car. Rather it's a comprehensive rework of the Golf 5, first sold in 2003. The emphasis in the new model is on greater refinement, quality and body strength and it certainly passed our tests with flying colours.
Styling changes give Golf 6 quite a different look, with a sleeker front end that appears wider and more elegant than before. The strong shoulder lines that are carried along virtually the whole length of the body also work well. The distinctive deep C-pillar shape has obviously been retained, though we feel that it stands out less than previously.
 Inside, the Golf 6 is very Volkswagen in its dash design with a strong emphasis on functionality. Quality is everywhere inside, both in design and materials used. The Golf 6 is a definite step up from the about to be superseded Golf 5 in this important matter and it makes a lot of sense to improve the just-superseded car rather than start from scratch. Particularly as the cost of building the car has been reduced and the on-road prices in Australia are highly competitive.
This car is a genuine five-seater though as is usually the case, four adults and a child, all in lap-sash safety belts, would be a more sensible load. Boot space is good thanks to the packaging efficiency of front wheel drive. The luggage area is well shaped and is simple to access.
At this stage only the hatchbacks are being introduced. A Golf station wagon and Jetta sedan will be introduced later. Wagons haven’t been sold in Australia in previous Golf models, but there's a good chance they will be introduced this time around. We have previously sampled a Golf wagon on a trip to the UK and were impressed with its luggage space and security.
The petrol engines we drove had Volkswagen’s DSG twin-clutch gearbox with seven forward ratios. This is a new gearbox replacing the previous six-speed unit. The seven-speed allows a really high top gear for better economy and lower emissions and can even make a decent difference in Australia. On German motorways it makes high speed driving relaxed and simple with the gutsy engine able to hold tall gearing even on moderate hills.
In each case the fuel consumption and exhaust emissions of the new engines are lower than in the current models. On Australian roads you will expect a Golf 6 with a petrol engine to use about eight to ten litres per hundred kilometres in around town driving. This can be pulled down to below seven litres with just a little attention to economy driving when on the open road.
 Volkswagen's latest Golf is considered to be a family car in Europe. There's no reason this can't be the case in Australia as well if buyers can get away from the large-car and SUV mentality.
The mid-sized VW has plenty of performance, rides in a refined fashion, even when traversing trying surfaces if you want to take it on trips into the great Aussie bush. The only limiting factor for Australian families may be the space in the back seat. Other than that the Golf can give the average Aussie on a budget their first taste of fascination of European motoring.
AT A GLANCE
MODEL RANGE
Golf 90 TSI Trendline 1.4-litre turbo-petrol five-door hatch: $25,990 (manual), $28,490 (DSG)
Golf 118 TSI Comfortline 1.4-litre twincharged petrol five-door hatch: $30,490 (manual), $32,990 (DSG)
Golf 103 TDI Comfortline 2.0-litre turbo-diesel five-door hatch: $33,190 (manual), $35,690 (DSG)
FEATURES
ABS Brakes: Standard in all models
Air Conditioning: Standard in all models
Automatic Transmission: Optional in all models
CD Player: Standard in all models
Cruise Control: Not offered in 90 TSI, standard in both other models
Dual Front Airbags: Standard in all models
Front Side Airbags: Standard in all models
Stability Control: Standard in all models
Traction Control: Standard in all models
SPECIFICATIONS (Volkswagen Golf 90TSI Trendline 1.4-litre turbo-petrol five-door hatch)
ENGINE:
Capacity: 1.390 litres
Configuration: Transverse, four cylinders in line
Head Design: DOHC, four valves per cylinder
Compression Ratio: 10.0:1
Bore/Stroke: 76.5 mm x 75.6 mm
Maximum Power: 90 kW @ 5000-5500 rpm
Maximum Torque: 200 Nm @ 1500-4000 rpm
DRIVELINE:
Driven Wheels: Front
Manual Transmission: Six-speed
Automatic Transmission: Seven-speed DSG
Final Drive Ratio: NA
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:
Length: 4199 mm
Wheelbase: 2574 mm
Width: 1785 mm
Height: 1479 mm
Turning Circle: 10.9 metres
Kerb Mass: 1270 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity: 55 litres
Towing Ability: 640 kg (1300 kg with braked trailer)
SUSPENSION AND BRAKES:
Front Suspension: Independent, MacPherson struts, lower A-arms, anti-roll bar
Rear Suspension: Independent, four-link, coil springs, anti-roll bar
Front Brakes: Ventilated disc
Rear Brakes: Disc
PERFORMANCE:
0-100 km/h Acceleration: 9.5 seconds
FUEL CONSUMPTION:
Type: Petrol 98RON
Combined Cycle (ADR 81/01): 6.4 L/100km
GREEN VEHICLE GUIDE RATINGS:
Greenhouse Rating: 7.5/10
Air Pollution Rating: 7.5/10
STANDARD WARRANTY:
Three years/100,000 km |
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