2000 Volkswagen Golf Reviews

You'd be forgiven for mistaking the new Golf 7 for the old one. The two look very similar. But then Volkswagen probably wanted to avoid making the same mistake it did with the Golf 5.People weren't too keen on the rounded design, with its grey, plastic undersides and sales took a nosedive as a result. You see car buyers are a pretty conservative lot. They don't like change, at least not too much, too soon  anyway.Panicked. The Board that runs VW called for the doctor and Golf 6 was born soon afterwards, prematurely some might say? That was in 2009 here in Australia.Four years later we now have a new and improved Golf, one with "reassuring'' design that we're told is bigger, lighter and cheaper to produce  thanks to a clever "modular'' production process that's reminiscent of the way they produce Ikea furniture. The line up has been rationalised and the engines (two petrol and one diesel) are all new too  although they produce at most only marginally more power.VALUEThe starting price of $21,490 is $500 less than before and you get more for your money, but you can bet your bottom dollar VW is not passing on the full savings it has made in reduced costs (and they won't put a figure on it). The entry level 90TSI model comes in two grades, base and Comfortline for another $3500 with a six speed manual as standard. If you want an auto its another $2500.The higher output 103TSI model is $31,990, comes in the more luxurious Highline grade and includes an auto. Topping out the range is the 110TDI diesel, also in Highline with an auto, at $34,490.Highline models get a combination of cloth and suede leather trim  full leather is another $2950. None of these prices include on road costs.TECHNOLOGYThe 77kW 1.2 litre petrol engine has gone and so has the crackerjack, twin-charged 118TSI, although the latter it is still available in other models. We're left with 1.4-litre turbocharged 90kW/200Nm and 1.4-litre turbocharged 103kW/250Nm petrol engines, plus a 2.0-litre 110kW/320Nm turbodiesel.The 90TSI engine is rated at 5.7 or 5.4 litres/100km depending on whether it's manual or auto, the 103TSI 5.2 litres/100km and the 110TDI 4.9 litres/100km. The two petrol engines are now made entirely of aluminium to save weight and deliver better economy, while balancer shafts have been added to the diesel to make it smoother.Timing chains have been replaced by a toothed, fibre belt which means replacement at some stage. As before, the petrol engines are teamed with a 7-speed DSG double-clutch style transmission while the high torque diesel once again gets a 6-speed DSG. A six-speed manual is however standard on 90TSI models.DESIGNAt 4255mm, it's 56mm longer with a 59mm longer wheelbase than before, with more rear legroom and space in the boot. Fuel consumption is down and active safety has been ramped up, with things like fatigue detection, automatic emergency braking and active cruise control  but to access most of the new features you're going to have to shell out for the $1300 safety pack.The handbrake is now electric and an electronic differential lock is standard along with auto-start stop and brake energy regeneration  but a reversing camera is not. Comfortline adds a rear-view camera, front and rear parking sensors, auto lights and wipers, plus dual-zone climate airconditioning and alloy wheels. DRIVINGWe had a crack at all three power trains. There's nothing disappointing about performance offered by the 90kW TSI model and most people will be more than satisfied, but to get the better Highline trim you're going to have to fork out another $4500 for the 103TSI model.The car is responsive and sure footed even in the atrocious weather we had for the launch, with the 103TSI a bit punchier thanks to the extra torque. The XDL extended differential lock from the GTI, now standard, helps maintain traction in challenging conditions. The diesel feels, well . . . like a diesel, but is definitely smoother and less agricultural than before.VERDICTVolkswagens aren't the cheap and cheerful cars on which the company forged its reputation and haven't been for a long time. They're a premium, aspirational product that features cutting edge technology. The downside is that when things go wrong, they can be expensive to repair. The surety of fixed price servicing, introduced recently, will go a long way towards getting more customers across the line. 

Volkswagen Golf is a huge player on the world’s motoring scene and has been so for almost 40 years. Total sales over the six Golf generations to date are approaching 30 million.We were among 1500 plus journalists invited to the global launch of the all-new Golf 7 in Italy last year. Now Golf has arrived in Australia and we have just experienced it in local driving conditions to check how it copes with our sometimes harsh roads.DESIGNStyling of the Golf has always been relatively conservative and the all-new Golf 7 continues that tradition. It retains cues to its predecessors, but comes with some sharp new lines that tie in with the latest styling trends.The front has a neat grille that ties in with modestly shaped headlights. Naturally, Golf 7 has the kinked C-pillar that has been a distinctive feature since the first model. The shape is neat, competent and likely to be as timeless as that of its honourable ancestors.Inside, the theme continues in that the cabin is sensible and ergonomic, with no unnecessary frills. Two large dials are easy to see and the satellite navigation, where fitted, is clear and legible, though the screen is perhaps smaller than we like.The Volkswagen designers have gone right back to basics with the new model. This is not an evolution of the Golf 6, which was in turn closely based on the ‘5. Rather the ‘7 is an all-new design using the latest in weight reduction.Though the car itself is slightly larger than the Golf 6 the overall weight is up to 100 kg less than before. Even more cleverly, this has been achieved without having to use expensive materials such as aluminium in large quantities. Light weight, of course, assists in performance, reduced fuel usage and lower CO2 emissions.Boot space is useful at 380 litres, up from 350 in the Golf 6. Volume is increased to 1270 litres with the rear seat backrests down. Cleverly, the luggage cover stores neatly under the boot floor when not required, so you don’t have to find space for it elsewhere. The cover can be set at two levels, one of them providing the security of out-of-sight space under it.SAFETYActive safety features include Lane Assist that actively steers the car back into the correct lane or away from the edge of the road (providing there are clear line markings at the road’s edge); City Emergency Braking at speeds up to 30 km/h; crash anticipation and preparation; and adaptive cruise control.The basic safety features are standard in all Australian models, but you have to pay extra for some of the advanced safety items in the lower cost variants. Check with your local VW dealer for information.ENGINESPower comes from new-design turbo-petrol and turbo-diesel engines. The petrol displaces 1.4 litres; the diesel is a 2.0-litre. The petrol engine comes in two states of tune, producing either 90 kilowatts of power, and 200 Newton metres of torque between 1400 and 4000 revs; or 103 kW and 250 Nm from 1500 to 3500.Diesel peak power is 110 kW, with torque running at a strong 320 Nm between 1750 and 3000 revs. The biggest impression made by the all-new Volkswagen Golf 7 is of sophistication. It is as smooth and quiet as a car at least a size larger.The Golf’s engine is almost electric-motor quiet at idle and little noise intrudes into the cabin, even when it’s accelerated hard. Response is significantly better than that of most modern turbocharged engines, to the extent you can forget it’s a turbo most of the time.DRIVINGHandling is neat and precise and the Golf is easy to point and willing to change direction. Comfort is good and even on some of the very rough backroads we punted it over in a 300+ kilometre drive program out of Melbourne, the coarse-chip surfaces and large potholes didn’t increase sound and vibration levels to any real extent.The windscreen pillars are reasonably slim and don’t hamper the view outside as much as in many contemporary cars.VERDICTVolkswagen Golf 7 is an extremely impressive car with a highly refined feel inside the cabin and the level of performance offered by relatively small engines. It seems assured of sales success in Australia, as it has already been in dozens of other countries.The complete Golf 7 range is:90TSI 1.4-litre turbo-petrol five-door hatch: $21,490 (manual), $23,990 (DSG)90TSI Comfortline 1.4-litre turbo-petrol five-door hatch: $24,990 (manual), $27,490 (DSG)103TSI Highline 1.4-litre turbo-petrol five-door hatch: $31,990 (DSG)110TDI Highline 2.0-litre turbo-diesel five-door hatch: $34,490 (DSG)Volkswagen Golf 90TSI ComfortlinePrice: from $21,490Engine: 1.4-litre 4-cylinder, 90kW/200NwTransmission: 6-speed manual or 7 speed DSG, FWDThirst: 5.4L/100km, CO2 126g/km

Small-car shoppers are spoiled for choice these days, but the spoiling and the choice have just become even better thanks to the all-new Volkswagen Golf.The seventh-generation Golf is more like a compact luxury car than any $19,990 bargain buy and will start favourite for this year's Carsguide Car of the Year award, even if Holden is about to unleash its VF Commodore.We knew the new Golf was special in Sardinia during a European preview drive and it only takes 30 minutes on home soil in Sydney to confirm the quality of the car. It's a ripper.Now, to put the Golf into focus, we've already seen the arrival of the impressive new sub-$40,000 A-Class Mercedes this year at a time when the Hyundai i30, Nissan Pulsar and Toyota Corolla have lifted the bar for value and quality in affordable small cars. So the Golf, the long-term pacesetter in the class, is caught in a squeeze between downsized luxury cars and upwardly-mobile price fighters.That's great for buyers, as Volkswagen has counter-punched by adding more safety, value and technology while holding the price line to a starting list price below $22,000.Golf 7 is also loaded with safety stuff, has an impressive multi-media package, and buying is easier thanks to pre-packaged kits of equipment in place of the tick-the-box ordering system for individual items.But it's the basics which provide the bedrock, as the Golf 7 sits on an all-new Volkswagen mechanical platform - that's shared throughout the group, to drive up numbers and push down prices - that means more space in the back and boot, less noise in the cabin, and new engine choices.VALUEThe Golf has never been the cheapest car in the compact class and that does not change, even though the bottom line now starts below $22,000 and Volkswagen says you can get a full-loaded car - "short of gold plating or sunroof" - for less than $35,000.It's also taken the prestige path on equipment, combining the most popular customer choices - in the same way as Benz and BMW - into packs. These sit above the basic car in either Comfortline or Highline levels, although the diesel car is only available to Highline standard.Even the basic Golf comes with cruise control and aircon, as well as a 5.8-inch colour touch screen for the infotainment package, and there is also a driver fatigue monitor and an extended differential lock for better grip and safety.The best things about stepping up to Comfortline are the rear-view camera and automatic parking system, as well as dual-zone aircon, while Highline brings sports seats, upgraded infotainment with satnav, and more bling in the cabin including an LED lighting package.But the starter car only has steel wheels, and a space-saver spare - a deal breaker for some Aussie buyers - is fitted to all models.As an offset, still very welcome but long overdue, Volkswagen has finally added capped-price servicing for the Golf that provides a package for 90,000 kilometres or 72 months with an annual fee pegged as low as $272.TECHNOLOGYEverything about Golf 7 tracks back to Volkwagen's new small-car platform, which provides better suspension design, more space in the back seat and a quieter cabin - thanks partly to an 'acoustic' windscreen. There are also big weight savings from the body through to the dashboard and aircon.That's the basics.But it's the tech tweaks that are built up from the platform that make life better for buyers.That's everything from an electronic parking brake to lots of extra safety equipment, including automatic braking, blind-spot detection, parking radar and a lot more.There is even an Eco Tip function which gives advice on saving fuel while you drive.The arrival of Golf 7 brings a different engine lineup, with turbos all around on both the TSI petrol and TDI diesel power plants. There is a six-speed manual on the starter car, but afterwards it's six and seven-speed DSG transmissions depending on the torque output of the engine - which means only six slots for the diesel.Power kicks off at 90 kW on the basic 1.4-litre petrol turbo, with 200 Nm of torque and fuel economy from 5.4 litres/100km, rising to 103/250/5.2 for the next step from the same capacity. Both have stop-start for fuel saving.The diesel is a full 2.0 litres and makes 110kW/320Nm for economy of 4.9 litres/100km, and its 0-100km/h time of 8.6 seconds is only marginally behind the better petrol motor at 8.4.DESIGNIt's easy to walk past the new Golf in the parking lot at Volkswagen headquarters in Sydney, which is loaded with all sorts of other Golfs and Tiguans and the classier new Beetle.That's because a Golf is always a Golf and always looks like a Golf.So the basics haven't changed, with a two-box hatchback layout, since the seventies.Golf 7 marks the change with sharper creases in the bodywork and a more elegant and, dare we say it, upmarket impact. It's just that little classier in the bodywork, from the shape of the nose to the LED trinketing.Inside, it's more of the same and more with the same, from the touch-and-feel plastics through to the way it all fits together. It's more like a Benz than a Hyundai, let's say.The highlight is the new infotainment package, which will even satisfy a tech-savvy Gen Y driver without putting a Baby Boomer outside their comfort zone.SAFETYGolf 7 has just had its five-star ANCAP tick, thanks to the strength of the basic body, a seven-airbag cabin and standard safety equipment that runs to ABS, ESP stability control, the tricky differential, fatigue detection and what Volkswagen calls 'multi-collision brake', that applies the brakes automatically to minimise the chances of knock-on impacts.As you move up the line the safety package expands to include parking radar at both ends, a rear-view camera, and automatic wipers and headlamps.For people who put safety first, the best deal is the Driver Assistance Package that bundles adaptive cruise control, city emergency braking, driving profile selection, top-level parking assist, automated reverse and parallel-parking and proactive occupant protection. But it costs more and is not available on the basic Golf 7.DRIVINGIf you were picking a small car to drive from Sydney to Melbourne you would take the Golf every time. It's quieter and more cosseting than anything else in the class, including the Benz A at one end and the new Pulsar at the other.And you could rely on the anti-fatigue system and punchier new infotainment to keep you going on the boring interstate bumble while driving a car that is more than capable and comfortable at a 140km/h motorway cruise in Europe.After driving all the Golf's rivals, I'm convinced that it is the best of the bunch and has raised the playing field to a new level. The A-Class has a classier badge, and you can get a Korean car with more for less, but the Benz is too harsh for our roads and the Koreans don't have finesse and refinement of the Volkswagen.The 90 TSI gets along plenty well for almost anyone, short of a Golf GTI fanatic, and the 103 doesn't bring much more. The diesel will be best for long-distance drivers or people who need the torque for a fully-loaded cabin.The most enjoyable thing about Golf 7 is the all-round enjoyment. It doesn't have much visual impact, but once you're inside you can see and feel the added class.On the road, the suspension is both controlled and compliant, a rare combination in a small car. So it absorbs bumps and keeps noise down, but doesn't flop or wallow in corners.DSG transmissions have been a sore point with many Volkswagen owners, and a source of lots of complaints to Carsgsuide, so we're hoping the new Golf finally gets it right. I tried the worst test of the double-clutch controls, holding it with the accelerator on a very steep grade, and it help without giving up the way we've experienced in earlier cars.I wasn't tempted to trial the safety systems, but it's good to know they're keeping a watchful eye. Especially for emergency braking.We're planning a lot of extra rounds with Golf in coming weeks and months, but the initial impression in Australia has just reinforced what we already knew. Seven is a lucky number, especially for people who want the best in a small car.VERDICTHave we found our Car of the Year champion for 2013? Almost definitely.

Twenty years from now, the carscape will be vastly different. Electric cars will be commonplace, hybrids will be universal and the Aussie V8 muscle car will be a page in history.But a handful of 2013 cars will have survived the turmoil to attain classic status just as the Ford Falcon GTHO from the 1960s is considered even more desirable today than it was when it first hit the road. Classic cars are not necessarily about horsepower or price.We know a collector who loves the humble, bumbling Morris 1100 in his multi-car garage. The first Toyota Prius is a car to keep because of its place in history. The original Mazda MX-5 from 1989 is just as “classic'' as certain Porsche 911s. The key to classic status is simple: Emotion.A car does a job in the same way as a fridge but it's much more than a machine, from the shape of its bodywork to the touch-and-feel pieces in the cabin and the way it makes you feel when you're driving. The attachment could take the form of the love you feel for a first car, even a humble '50s Beetle, or the satisfaction of finally parking a dream machine -- even a Leyland P76 -- in the garage.Classic cars don't have to be affordable on day one, because depreciation hits everything. Not enough, perhaps, to make the LaFerrari more than a dream but it could help with a Porsche 911 or an Audi R8 that's definitely desirable despite the showroom sticker.Which current cars will achieve classic status? If we really knew, the Carsguide crew would be putting them up on blocks today as investments for the future. But here are some likely suspects:Abarth 695 TributoPrice: from $69,990Engine: 1.4-litre 4-cylinder, 132kW/230NmTransmission: 5-speed sequential auto, FWDThirst: 6.5L/100Km, CO2 151g/kmThe Italian baby is outrageously expensive but this humble Fiat 500 has been touched with the Ferrari wand, which makes it special. It looks wicked and is a hoot to drive. Just plain fun.Holden Commodore SS-VPrice: about $50,000Engine: 6.0-litre 8-cylinder, 270kW/ 530NmTransmission: 6-speed manual or auto, RWDThirst: 12.2L/100Km, CO2 288g/kmThe last in the long line of truly home grown Holdens will soon be one to enjoy, thanks to improved efficiency and an Audi-style luxury cabin. The SS-V and HSV's coming F Series cars will be historic and performance icons.Range Rover EvoquePrice: from $51,495Engine: 2.2-litre 4-cylinder, 110kW/380NmTransmission: 6-speed manual or auto, FWD or 4WDThirst: 4.9L/100Km, CO2 129g/kmThis one is a fashion item, not an SUV. The Evoque is all about the looks, a lot like a Mini, but it is also a great drive and we know the all-paw drive examples will go almost anywhere.Nissan GT-RPrice: from $172,000Engine: 3.8-litre 6-cylinder, 404kW/628NmTransmission: 6-speed auto, 4WDThirst: 11.7L/100Km, CO2 278g/kmGodzilla is already a collector's car, thanks to earlier models tied to the GT-R that won the Bathurst 1000. The new model is a better car, and still great value, but collectors will need to find one that hasn't been battered and abused.Volkswagen Golf GTIPrice: from $40,490Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder, 155kW/280NmTransmission: 6-speed manual or auto, FWDThirst: 7.7L/100Km, CO2 180g/kmThe German pocket rocket is a top drive and the coming model, using the Golf Mk7 body, promises to be even better. The GTI has been a cult car since the '70s and truly great since the 2005 Mark 5.Subaru BRZ/Toyota 86Price: from $37,150/$29,990Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder, 147kW/205NmTransmission: 6-speed manual or auto, RWDThirst: 7.8L/100Km, CO2 181g/kmPeople who love cars have fallen for the Twins, the sports cars that won Carsguide's 2012 Car of the Year. There is a waiting list for both and the keen are paying more than the showroom sticker, because they deliver exactly what they promise at a great price. Pushed, we'd go for the BRZ in Subaru's signature blue.

The new Holden Commodore is the most important new car of 2013. The upcoming VF, and the VF alone, points to the future of motoring in Australia.

NEW - It was way back in the 1970s that the Golf GTi took over the hot-  hatch mantle from the Mini Cooper S, but VW has been able to do what   the Brits couldn't; keep it alive and thriving. Today's GTi is the hottest yet in a long line of hot hatches from the   German company. By any measure it's sizzling hot, and for many it's   the benchmark against which all others are measured.There can be no underestimating the fun of driving a GTi, and the   great thing is that it can be enjoyed day in and day out, on any   road, in any weather. Most people agree that there's no end to the   fun to be had with VW's great little hottie. For some the new model that lobbed here in 2005 was a case of   evolution rather than revolution, but why would you radically change   something that has worked so well.The GTi was readily distinguished from its more mundane brethren by   its lower stance, sportier front bumper, front foglights, distinct   grille, GTi badges and rear diffuser. When added up it comes to a   tough looking car. It came as a three-door and a five-door. In its three-door guise the   doors are a little longer and heavier, which means there's a bit of a   stretch back to the seat belt, but it also means easier access to the   rear seat.The engine is a bit of a fire-breather, a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-  cylinder unit that delivers all the grunt you could want when presented with an open road free of other traffic, yet at the same time it's docile enough the handle the daily trundle to work without complaint. The gearbox choices were a six-speed manual and the much maligned,   but improved, DSG six-speeder that was offered up as a fun-filled auto.A new diff lock was fitted to the new GTi, which was designed to   improve traction and battle understeer, two things that tend to bring   hot front-drivers back to Earth.NOWMost GTi owners swear by their cars, they usually say they'd never   switch. But like any car they can give trouble. With any hot hatch it's important to search for signs of hard use,   look at the tyres, the brakes and anything else that could come under   extreme pressure when worked hard.Same with the turbo engine, lift the oil filler cap and inspect for   sludge, and check the service book for records of regular oil changes. Thoroughly test drive the DSG gearbox, put it to the sword under all   sorts of driving conditions, observing for any miss-shifts, rough   shifts, shuddering etc. The funky gearbox can be fun to drive, but it   can be a nightmare if its goes wrong and there are plenty of stories   of things going wrong.For most owners the thrill-a-minute driving experience is enough to   forgive any issues that crop up. One owner we spoke to had had a 2005 model for six years and covered   130,000 km without any trouble to speak of, even with the DSG.He felt the DSG was a bit slow on the uptake in city driving when in   Drive and found that driving in manual was smoother. Another owner we spoke to is on his third GTi and so far all is going swimmingly. The DSG in his previous car had a problem with shuddering, but that was sorted out under warranty. Service costs, he told us, are higher than some cars, but then so are all European cars!SMITHY SAYSA great driver sometimes brought undone by its technology.Volkswagen Golf GTi 2005-2010Price new: $40,790 to $42,990Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo, 147 kW/280 NmTransmission: 6-speed manual, 6-speed DSG, FWDEconomy: 8.1 L/100 km, PremiumBody: 3-door hatch, 5-door hatchVariants: GTiSafety: 5-star ANCAP  

Canny motorists are facing a shopping bonanza as car makers start slashing prices to make way for new models. But it's not only outgoing models going cheap - look out for end-of-year sales as well.Any time a carmaker trumpets a new model, these shoppers are there ready to make a financial killing by buying up the old model. Look for sales at particular times of the year. June is traditionally a strong month for squeezing extra savings out of a dealer though, with a buoyant car market and fierce competition, anytime towards the end of any month can deliver a bonus.End of year sales are popular. Dealers always want to sell but the months of November and December provide a chance to discount cars built in the current year. Fighting this are car buyers who want a car built in the new year to preserve resale value. Here's some deals but be prepared for more as the calendar year draws to a close.HOLDENDeep Purple is no longer a rock band - it's Holden's new colour that is available on a range of cut-price “Z-Series” Commodore sedans, utes and wagons. The new colour is the same as Holden's iconic show car, the Efijy. Different models in the Z-Series line-up get different equipment levels but, as an example, the base Omega automatic is $41,990 but the Z-Series edition costs $39,990.The bonus is that the Z includes a heap of extras within that price, including leather upholstery, 18-inch wheels, rear camera and sensors, leather steering wheel and chrome door frames. The SV6 ute adds 19-inch alloys, carpet mats and leather seats for $38,490, down $1000 on the plane-Jane SV6.The discounts on the VE Holden Commodore range precede the launch early next year of the VF Commodore models. Holden is also running out the Barina five-door manual hatch at $16,490, a saving of $500.TOYOTAYou'll have to do some legwork here. The new Corolla is on sale and some dealers still have stocks of the old model. Officially, there's no discount on the outgoing model though some dealers - predominantly NSW and Victoria - have extra stock and have advertised a $18,990 price, $1000 off the list price. Note that the cheapest 2013 Corolla is also $19,990. Toyota WA says customers should discuss pricing direct with their dealer.It's not only the Corolla that may offer savings. The RAV4 gets updated early next year and though there's no official price, dealers will consider offers. On top of that, Toyota has zero per cent finance on Camry, Camry Hybrid and Aurion until the end of the year.HYUNDAIThere's a lot of previous-model stock available from Hyundai and buyers can make big savings if they're not chasing the latest car. These include old-stock i30 hatchbacks with $2000 off the normal price and previous Santa Fe SUVs for up to $3000 off.But there are also current models. The big one is the $13,990 drive-away price on the i20 three door which saves $2500. A similar discount is on the five-door i20. The i40 wagon is now from $29,990 driveaway, a saving of about $3000, and the sedan model with automatic transmission is also from $29,990, saving about $2500.Hyundai's popular baby SUV, the ix35, is now from $27,990 driveaway for the Active version, a saving of $1120, while other ix35 variants have been reduced by $500.MITSUBISHIThe new Outlander SUV arrives November 18 so Mitsubishi is sweeping out current stock. The "Enhancement Pack" model is an LS version with leather seats, heated front seats and an electric-adjust driver's seat. It has Bluetooth, 18-inch alloys with a full-size alloy spare, six airbags for the front-wheel drive version (up from two) and a cabin styling pack with bright trim to the door handles, console panel and rear door trim.Prices start at $28,990 drive away for the LS front-wheel drive model with five-speed manual transmission. The normal price is $29,340 plus on-road costs so the saving is about $4500. But for buyers who want the new model, register on Mitsubishi's website and there's the chance to win a $1000 Westfield shopping voucher and 15 per cent off accessories for the new Outlander. If that's not tempting, Mitsubishi also has 0.9 per cent finance until the end of this month.SUBARUThe 2012 run out has just started for Subaru which has chopped up to $5000 off three models. It replaces its Liberty and Outback in early 2013 as a mid-life makeover that includes upgrades to trim specifications. There is an all-new Forester also due about February. So the deals are now on the table.The Outback 2.5i manual is usually $37,490 plus on-road costs (say, $5000) but is being rolled out the showroom door for $35,990 including all on-road costs. The same axe has lobbed on the Forester X which is now $32,990 drive-away including leather-faced seats, alloy wheels and fog lights.The normal retail price is $30,990 without the extras and without on-road costs. Subaru is selling the Liberty 2.5i sedan manual for $31,990 drive away with leather seats, electric driver's seat and reverse camera. The car normally sells for $32,990 plus on-road costs.FORDKuga Trend $35,490 drive away (normally $38,990 plus on-road costs) and the upmarket Titanium is now $41,490 drive away, previously $44,990 plus all on the road charges. The Kuga is to be replaced with a new model in early 2013.Focus Ambiente hatch now $19,990 drive away (normally $20,290 plus costs). The Mondeo Zetec hatch is $33,990 with all costs (usually $37,740 plus on-road fees) and Falcon's XR6 Turbo is down from $46,235 plus costs, to $43,490 drive away.KIAThere's a new Sorento SUV so the outgoing model has a $2000 gift voucher attached to its normal retail price.VOLKSWAGENIs running out stocks of the current Golf VI to make way for the Golf VII due early next year. Volkswagen Australia has set the price of the current Golf 77TSI manual at $20,990 including metallic paint and all drive-away costs. This is a saving of about $5000.The Golf Wagon 90TSI with DSG auto, metallic paint and all drive-away costs is now $29,990, saving about $3500. Note that for small-car wagon buyers, Volkswagen has not confirmed a wagon version of the new Golf. If you want this shape, this could be your last chance.VOLVOThe Swede is clearing out its 2012 stock by adding value rather than chopping the price tag. The S60 and V60 entry-level models now come with the upmarket Teknik pack valued at about $4500. But if you specify the Teknik model, Volvo will automatically give you the R-Design pack (valued at $3000) for free.The same deal applies to the XC60 SUV. There's also a deal on S60 or V60 from the dealer's existing stock. Volvo will include free scheduled servicing for three years or 100,000km.

If you look at the pictures of the new Golf above and wonder, as I did, whether Volkswagen has changed anything at all, then its designers won't be offended. On the contrary, they will consider it a job well done.The charge that the seventh generation looks the same as its predecessor is worn as a badge of pride. It's a promise, in effect, that this Golf will be more of the same. That is exactly what Volkswagen believes its buyers want.With 29 million sold, it has strong grounds for that belief. Golf inherited the mantle of people's car from the Beetle and overtook its sales total a decade ago. “The Golf is a classless vehicle,” exterior designer Stefan Wallburg says at the launch in Italy early this month. “A car for everyone.” His inspiration came from the 1974 original.Golf VII has the same horizontal grille; light and shade play on its flanks in just the same way. But it could have been any of the previous six. They are variations on a theme; visual chords that resonate across the generations, the same song in a different voice.“If you had to hear one song for the rest of your life which one would it be?” ask the adverts. “Which car?” There's scarcely a nation where Golfs are not sold, but the hatchback heartland is Europe and this one arrives as the region is under siege from economic uncertainty.Car sales this year will be the worst in decades. That's only encouragement to Volkswagen. Marketing chief Jurgen Stackmann says the new Golf arrives at just the right time. “The global economy is changing,” he says. “People are insecure, they are looking for safe choices.”Predictable, anti-fashion, future-proof Golf is that car, he says. Young people aspire to one, old people think it's timeless. However, the challenge it faces goes deeper than showroom-shy buyers. Luxury makers are moving into volume segments, fashioning small cars with desirable features at oh-so-nearly-attainable prices.They have amplified the effect of the buyers' strike and left Ford, Peugeot, Opel, Fiat and Renault deeply in the red, haemorrhaging money on every sale, forced to slow factories to walking pace. The Golf already has the measure of those rivals. It's unassailable as Europe's favourite car. It's the luxury brands it has to worry about.VALUEVolkswagen has reached into its deep pockets and spent big. This Golf is as thoroughly new as new cars ever are. The chassis, the engines, the control systems, the interior -- little beyond the transmissions have been untouched. The options list bulges with technology that many premium cars have yet to offer.And prices will barely move, if at all. Volkswagen can afford to do this because the Golf is about more than the Golf. It is the centrepiece, the tarmac zero, of all the small cars offered by Volkswagen brands from Skoda to Seat to Audi.TECHNOLOGYAt its core is a new platform, called MQB, that will make all these cars lighter. Two new families of turbocharged petrol and diesel four-cylinders employ all the latest techniques for improved economy.The diesel available at the launch drive in Sardinia, a 110kW 2.0-litre, is smoother and more flexible than the previous unit while the 103kW 1.4-litre petrol has a new feature that can shut down two cylinders when coasting. These will be core engines for Golfs that come to Australia and either would be easy to live with for their quiet efficiency, with the manual 2.0 TDI the economy champion at 4.1 litres per 100km.The range will swell to include performance petrols and diesels for the GTI and GTD models, as well as smaller capacity (1.2 petrol, 1.6 diesel) units. Golfs with less than 90kW adopt a lightweight torsion beam rear axle while the higher power cars retain an improved version of the previous independent multi-link set-up. Or they can be set independently.DESIGNDespite being longer and wider, it sheds as much as 100kg. Fuel economy makes removing weight the highest priority. There's more premium steel, finessed for thickness and geometry, surplus metal pared back. Inside, space has increased in almost every dimension except headroom, although it's still ample. The car is lower than before to improve aerodynamics.On the top-spec cars available at the launch the interior has a finely turned answer to the assault by luxury brands. It's a clean and appealing design, impeccably turned out in soft plastic textures, pleasing fabrics and with a high level of detailing. Control knobs are wrapped in soft knurled rubber, the centre console, angled towards the driver, is glossy piano black. The wheel has well-organised controls and looks fabulous.There are tasteful metallic garnishes in all the right places, ambient lighting and a first-rate finish. It's possible entry-level cars, stripped to basics, lack this gilt-edged invitation. But in Sunday best the Golf is a luxury conveyance in all but name. Especially impressive is the control system, generously displayed on an 8-inch screen in premium variants. It sets fresh standards in graphic quality and logical excellence. Any iPhone user will recognise the result and it's at the cutting edge of these systems in any sort of car.DRIVINGOn the smooth roads of Sardinia it rides and handles with familiar Golf assurance. It drives very much as you would expect -- without wrinkles. As easy as a non-iron shirt. The front suspension is a revised MacPherson strut design. An optional new Dynamic Chassis Control system offers different modes from Eco to Sport for the engine, suspension and steering.The new electrically assisted steering is a highlight for its precision and that bodes well for the performance Golf variants to come. Variable ratio steering is an option -- an uncommon feature at this level of the market. It's just one of many technology introductions. Others include active cruise control, intelligent headlights that automatically adjust the beams to oncoming traffic and a traffic sign detection system that displays speed limits on the navigation screen.SAFETYThere are also safety systems new to this level, such as automatic emergency braking at speeds below 30km/h if the radar sensor detects an imminent collision, and a system that tightens seatbelts in anticipation of an impact. If the airbags are triggered the car automatically applies the brakes to prevent a multi-car pile-up.VERDICTJust four years after the previous generation, Volkswagen has jump-raised its rivals and set out an enticing stall for anyone tempted to stretch to the premium badges. Golf VII is a classless car that reeks of class. VW wins another round with the seventh-generation Golf.

A new Volkswagen Golf is a major event in the world’s automotive industry. One that’s closely analysed by competitors from every manufacturer on the planet.With over 29 million sales to date, the Golf has been a huge success. Indeed if you also factor in the number of people who have bought a second-hand Golf over the last 38 years, ownership is now well in excess of 100 million.We, and over 1500 journalists from 98 countries, were invited along to the launch of the all-new Golf. Held progressively over at five-week period in Sardinia, Italy, the event consisted of extensive technical presentations and extended test drives over some challenging countryside.TECHNOLOGYPower comes from new-design turbo-petrol and turbo-diesel engines. The former have a capacity of 1.2 or 1.4 litres; the latter with displacements of either 1.6 or 2.0 litres. Only the larger petrol and diesel units were available for us to test at the media preview.All engines are designed keep their weight to a minimum, with as much 40 kilograms having been removed compared to the previous generation.Officially measured fuel savings of between 14 and 23 per cent are an impressive part of the new-gen Volkswagen. Fascinatingly the 1.4-litre petrol engine only runs on two of its four cylinders under light running conditions. Other than a tell-tale message on the dashboard we were never able to pick whether the Golf was running on four cylinders or two.Manual and automatic transmissions will be offered in most models. Full specs for engines and transmissions in Australia are to be finalised before it goes on sale in March 2013.DESIGNStyling has never been of major importance to Golf buyers as they are generally quite conservative people. They don’t want to own a car that will look like an old fashion fad before the time comes to trade it in. So the all-new Golf Mark 7 retains styling cues to its predecessors, but comes with some sharp new lines on its sides to match the latest trends.The frontal appearance is very much to the current VW theme, with a neat grille that ties in with modestly shaped headlights. Taken on its own it could be seen as any one of a number of Volkswagen models. Though those who have been studying the shape of the new cut-price Volkswagen up! small car will spot some of the cheeky looks of that car in the lower grille area.Volkswagen Golf Mk7 naturally has the distinctively kinked C-pillar that has been a feature of the car since its introduction in 1974. We recently road tested Golf models 1 through 7 at a classic car event at Volkswagen’s headquarter in Wolfsburg, Germany and noted the way the cars have evolved over the years. While they had grown in size, they retained familiar looks and similar feel from generation to generation.Though the car itself is slightly larger than the Golf 6 the overall weight is up to 100 kg less than before. This assists in performance, reduced fuel useage and lower CO2 emissions.It’s likely that only five-door Golfs will be imported as three-door models have been slow sellers in previous generations.As well as the advantage of relaxed travelling the very quiet Golf engine hides the fact that it has a stop-start function so drivers who aren’t interested in cutting pollution are less likely to switch of this clean-air function.External noises are almost completely shut out thanks to a stiff body design and numerous sound dampening features.Boot space is useful at 380 litres with the cover in place and all seats in use, and up to 1270 litres with the rear seat backrests down. Cleverly, the luggage cover stores neatly under the boot floor when not required, so you don’t have to try and find space for it amongst the luggage or even have to stuff it onto the back seat.The windscreen pillars are reasonably slim and don’t overly hamper the view outside.SAFETYActive safety features normally only found in larger, much more expensive cars include Lane Assist that actively steers the car back into the correct lane or away from the edge of the road (providing there are clear line markings at the road’s edge); City Emergency Braking at speeds up to 30 km/h; crash anticipation and preparation; and adaptive cruise control.In some ways the safety feature of all are seats designed to provide the correct driving position from the point of view of ergonomics.DRIVINGThe biggest impression made by the all-new Volkswagen Golf is of sophistication. It is as smooth and quiet as a car a couple of sizes larger. The Golf’s engine is almost electric-motor quiet at idle and little noise intrudes into the cabin, even when it’s accelerated hard.Handling is neat and precise and the car is easy to point and willing to change direction. Comfort is good and even on some of the very rough Italian roads we punted it over it was never knocked off track.VERDICTThe latest Volkswagen Golf is an extremely impressive car in many ways. In particular the level of performance offered by relatively small engines and the highly refined feel inside the cabin.

The Golf is back to its best with the arrival of the seventh-generation German baby. A road-up re-work has brought everything from a bigger new body to a three per cent boost in showroom value. The seventh-generation Golf drives like a shrunken luxury car, not a traditional tiddler, and is going to make life tough for anyone shopping in 2013.They will have to judge it against the all-new Toyota Corolla that's just around the corner as well as all the value contenders, including the locally-made Holden Cruze. The new Golf is not as sharp to drive as the Ford Focus, and it wil not have a $19,990 driveaway pricetag, but it is loaded with technology and comes with the promise of a 100-kilogram weight loss and up to a 23 per cent economy improvement.The Golf is more than just a car, too, as it signals the arrival of a new 'toolbox' for model development inside the Volkswagen Group. Around 40 individual models will eventually be spun from the MQB mechanical package that provides the foundations for the newcomer, some as small as Polo and others as big as Passat.More than 95 per cent of the parts in Golf 7 are new, a contrast to the outgoing car which was more like a 5.1 update than a true sixth-generation Golf. "This is the most important car for brand Volkswagen," says Albert Meltzow, head of the Golf project. "It is important that it is a practical everyday car. Every year we sell around 700,000 Golfs."Volkswagen applies predictable spin at the press preview of the car in Sardinia, with only two engine choices - a 1.4-litre turbo petrol and 2.0-litre turbodiesel - and cars fully loaded with infotainment, luxury and safety equipment. That makes it tougher to be judgemental, but the first impression is good. Very good.VALUENo-one is talking yet about the starting price for the Golf in Australia. But global marketing boss Jurgen Stackmann confirms to Carsguide that European prices have been held steady at the level of Golf 6, with a value boost of three per cent thanks to extra standard equipment.The pricing has already sparked a round of discounting by rival brands in Europe, as they rush to convert customers before production of the Volkswagen flagship gets up to speed. Australian deliveries will begin in the second quarter of next year, but there is no detail yet on pricing, equipment, or even the engine choices. The Golf will definitely continue as a five-door hatch, with the three-door body reserved for the GTI and the R model that will follow."We'll try to keep the price as close as possible to the current car. But there is a significant increase in the standard equipment," says Karl Gehling, spokesman for Volkswagen Group Australia.TECHNOLOGYThe heart of Golf 7 is the MQB - translated as Modular Transverse Matrix - that provides the mechanical package for a car that is both bigger and lighter. It's not a traditional mechanical platform, but a range of parts that can be built - almost Lego style - into a range of different cars.But there are also all-new engines, lightweight suspension - although a basic rear axle is still fitted to cheapie Golfs - stop-start fuel saving, an electronic parking brake and a lot more. Infotainment is a major component for the Golf, with everything from iPhone-style 'swipe' controls for the TFT display screens to a driver-adjustable display layout. The engines at the press preview drive are the 1.4 petrol with 103 kiloWatts/250 Newton-metres and the 2-litre diesel with 110/320, promising economy of 5.0 and 4.1 litres/100km.DESIGNThere is nothing radical about the look of Golf 7. You can easily pick it as a Golf from 200 metres away, thanks to the DNA that carries through from earlier models, but it's not until you get closer that you see the fastidious detailing and restrained panel work."There are cues that are hallmarks of the Golf," says Stefan Wallburg, exterior designer. "Compared to the outgoing car, I think this is an evolution. If you compare them side-by-side, you will see the changes." Inside, even the switches are new and there is more obvious quality in the look and feel of all the materials.The new design brings a payoff in the cabin, where a longer wheelbase has liberated an extra 14 millimetres of rear knee room and another 30 litres for the boot, while head clearance is also improved despite a lower roof and Volkswagen claims improvements for shoulder and elbow clearance.SAFETYThe Golf will be a five-star ANCAP car. It gets six airbags and the regular ESP/ABS combination, but there is also a huge range of extra safety equipment starting with the multi-collision braking system that automatically applies the brakes to prevent secondary impacts.The package for Australia is still being decided, and there is likely to be an extra cost for the extra gear, but the range of safety stuff available includes lane-assist and anti-fatigue system, radar cruise control and city emergency braking. The press preview cars have a space-saver spare tyre but there is no decision yet on puncture protection down under.DRIVINGThis is a very mature, very refined car. That much is obvious from the first kilometre at the wheel. Golf 7 is extremely quiet, it absorbs bumps like a costly luxury car, and you can see and feel the extra space and luxury equipment.It's the sort of car you would happily drive from Sydney to Melbourne, or just down to the shops, knowing it's going to cause minimum fuss and reward you with impressive efficiency and minimum fatigue. Tackling a wide range of roads and surfaces in Sardinia, the new Golf refuses to be unsettled. It turns light and easy, has good cornering grip, is easy to park - there is, of course, an optional auto-park package - and generally just gets the job done.The boot is roomy and flexible with a low loading lip and an easy-close hatch, there is plenty of space in the back seat, and everything fits nicely. There are a couple of glitches on some test cars, with wind noise on one and a recalcitrant infotainment system in another, but these are some of the first Golf 7s to come down the line. What's not to like? I'm still not convinced about DSG gearboxes, and there is still some shunting during three-point turns with variable shift quality, and it's impossible to really rate the engines or suspension so far from home.Also, without a pricetag there is no way to say how it will line up against the new Corolla, or even the Mazda3, Cruze, Mitsubishi Lancer and the rest. But I know the new Golf is an utterly competent and very impressive car. The overall refinement is incredible. Volkswagen has hit all its targets and that means Golf 7 should now be the first choice for anyone shopping for a small car.VERDICTThe new Golf is the new benchmark for the small-car class. It's the car to recommend to your family and friends.