2009 Volkswagen Golf Reviews

It's a similar story with the car.Anyone who knows the Golf knows exactly what to expect when Volkswagen starts a fresh round with a new model. It will look a certain way, drive a certain way and feel a certain way.So the sixth-generation Golf is no surprise. And in a lot of ways it is just a mega-facelift update of the previous model, the super-good fifth generation that was great for owners but tough for Volkswagen to build at a reasonable profit.A lot has changed for Golf 6 but the best news for buyers is the price line has been held at $25,990, with more value and a lot of tweaking of details as minor as the dash lamps and mirrors and even the quality of the optional leather trim. The engines are smaller but there is better efficiency and double-clutch gearboxes are available across the range.Later this year, of course, there will be a new GTi.Volkswagen is aiming high with the new Golf, and not just because it is the backbone of the brand in Australia — and globally.It knows the competition is getting tougher as everyone from Ford and Holden to Peugeot and Renault and all the rest look to cash-in on global downsizing and a green movement which is providing a lot of power for compact cars.Volkswagen also knows it must work harder in Australia because of the classy competition — particularly the Focus, Mitsubishi Lancer and upcoming Mazda3 — which are clustered much closer to the $20,000 price point than it can manage.It is using the smoother new body, the powerplant choices, and an Audi- style emphasis on cabin quality to do the job.There are six models in the new Golf range, with a choice of three engines and three transmissions. The $25,990 starter car comes with a 90kW turbo petrol engine and a six-speed manual gearbox while the $35,690 hero is a 103kW turbodiesel with a six-speed DSG manu-matic gearbox.The one in the middle is the 118kW contender with the same engine package as the GT from the previous model, using a combination of supercharger and turbocharger on the same basic 1.4 litre engine as the base car.At the bottom, the trim level is called Trendline and this jumps to Comfortline once you pass the $30,000 threshold.But Volkswagen is following BMW with its optional equipment, which includes everything from the metallic paint and a sunroof to parking radar, satnav with 'Excite' sound, and adaptive chassis control with switchable settings to match the driver's mood.DrivingThe first time I drove the new Golf I was underwhelmed.The car looked and felt far too much like the old Golf to justify an 'all new' tag. It didn't help that a lot of the major building blocks in the car, from the chassis to the roof panel, are carried over.At the time I was convinced the Golf 6 was really, in computer-speak, the Golf 5.1.But I used a fresh set of eyes when a Golf rolled into the garage for more than just the usual one-week evaluation. And I was able to get it onto familiar territory to test a lot of the subtle changes.But a word of warning — the Golf in the garage is a $45,160 car, not a $25,990 base model, thanks to the 118 TSI engine, DSG gearbox, Comfortline trim and a long run of extras including a sports package, parking radar, satnav, premium sound and an alarm.It's not the car I would have chosen, but it is nice. Actually, it's very very nice.But the price means it goes up against cars like the Honda Accord Euro when most buyers will shop it against Mazd3 and Focus and Lancer.So, let's get the basics out of the way.Golf 6 looks a little cleaner and smoother, and will fit right in at the trendy schools and coffee shops.The cabin feels a touch roomier, and the improvements to plastics and switches and even the colour monitor lift it to a new level. It looks and feels like a premium compact.The super-turbo motor is a gem. No-one would know it is only a 1.4 because it kicks like a 2-litre when you ask the questions. It is also sipping at just 7 litres/100km, despite regular bursts of acceleration.The DSG gearbox is equally good, sliding through gears or responding quickly to a manual call for a downshift.But...Some of the Carsguide test team both complained about the car's jerky response, particularly in stop-start traffic or when parking. And there were also grumbles about poor response on light throttle.So the DSG takes some learning. And it's not perfect.But the suspension in the test car is sublime. A smooth ride with good grip and all the cornering power you could want, unless you really want the GTi. The Golf just follows the wheel and soaks up bumps.There seemed to be a lot of tyre noise at first, but that impression has faded. But it's something to consider.As for the rest, the Golf has won me over.It's a great little car and, despite the Euro-style price premium, looks good and good value. It's definitely a car to recommend to friends.Now we have to wait and see how it goes against the Mazda3, which will be the new Japanese hero in the compact class.HOW IT COMPARESFord Focus (from $20,490): 74/100Mazda3 (from $21,490): 72/100Mitsubishi Lancer (from $21,490): 73/100Peugeot 308 (from $25,990): 68/100

In a manner of speaking Volkswagen has, if not laid hands on, at least sighted the elusive target with its sixth generation of the Golf.The little car that just keeps on keeping on with more than 26 million sales worldwide in a 35-year production run has come to market again, and this time with a pair of petrol engines that offer power increases of up to 23 per cent and efficiency improvements as high as 24 per cent alongside a fuel-sipping diesel with the latest common rail technology."More powerful engines that are more fuel efficient, safety that is going to be the benchmark in the class for some time to come - and all of that for all buyers from the entry car to the top model," says VW Australia boss Jutta Dierks."We took a very good Golf and made it better."For the first time the Golf range in Australia will not have a naturally aspirated engine but rather three small, super efficient units with either turbo-induction or VW's brilliant "twin charger" technology which marries turbocharging and supercharging.The three engines are coupled to either six-speed manual gearboxes or the optional DSG double-clutch automatics at an extra $2500.It is no accident that the badge on the new Golf does not reflect the engine size as the prospect of boasting about a pair of 1.4-litre petrol units was not that appetising."If you are talking about putting numbers on badging, then 1.4 is not really that impressive - and it doesn't represent what the new engines offer," Dierks says.Instead the badge now reflects the power output of the engines and while Dierks concedes that the use of TSI for both the turbo and twin-charger models could be confusing, at least initially, "it is a global decision".TSI had previously been the designation for twin-charger models alone.The entry-level 90TSI is a 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol model starting at $25,990 for the six-speed manual. However, if you don't want it in white - the only non-metallic colour available - then immediately add $700.The 90kW engine replaces the naturally-aspirated 1.6-litre from the Golf V, lifting power by 15kW and carving 2.1L/100km off the fuel use.For the 118TSI the improvements are just as dramatic with economy improved from 8.6L/100km in the previous 110kW 2.0-litre automatic to 6.5L/100km for the 7-speed DSG coupled to the new 1.4-litre.For the first time VW will use common rail technology for its 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel in the 103TDI. According to VW the shift to common rail - in line with most of the diesel world - was driven by the third generation technology which allows for much higher pressure fuel delivery through the use of piezoelectric injectors with consequent reduction in compression ignition noise.Power and torque are on a par with the previous unit injector (Pumpe Duse) system at 103kW and 320Nm but fuel efficiency has been cut from 6.1 to 5.6L/100km.Apart from the engines and gearboxes the majority of change from the fifth to the sixth generation has been in subtle body shaping, small tweaks of the spring and damper rates and an upgrading of tactile surfaces within the cabin.Keeping the genetic cues — which make the MkI Golf as unmistakably a member of the family as the MkV — was paramount to the design team for the new car."This is a `class free' car ... it is available to anyone, so much so that the small car category in Europe is known as the Golf Class," design team member Frank Bruese explained at the Australian launch of the Golf VI."Golf is about heritage and history and each generation must be easily identifiable as a Golf - it must have the Golf DNA of a strong horizontal face, distinct wheel arches and a strong C-pillar."Beuse says that while the design changes are subtle rather than dramatic - sharper character lines, a new grille shape and restyled lights front and rear - as a unit they work to make the eye see a car that sits lower and looks more aggressive and sporty despite it having exactly the same major dimensions as the outgoing model."It is like an Armani suit," Beuse says. "It doesn't scream look at me but the closer you look the more you see of the quality of the material ... the class of the cut."Under the dress suit the new Golf is sitting on almost all of the same running gear as the previous car. Apart from the tweaks to the spings and dampers - and the option of an active damper system on the top-spec Comfortline model - it is business as usual.Styling inside the cabin is also readily recognisable as Golf although the quality of some of the touch surfaces - particularly the new steering wheel - and the inclusion of comfort items such as the climate control air-conditioning from the new Passat CC do lift the game.Across the range seven airbags, electronic stability control, anti-lock brakes, electronic brakeforce distribution and traction control are all standard. The cars have also earned a five-star crash rating in both European and Australian testing.Out on the road the Golf is quick to prove that it is going to keep its rivals honest - something that shouldn't be any surprise as it has been a hallmark of the previous two generations.The ride is subtle and composed across the range with the diesel - on short association - appearing to be the best all-rounder.Noise, vibration and harshness levels are good with only a degree of tyre roar on coarser-chip roads letting the side down.Broken and uneven surfaces were generally soaked up without fuss, although the firmer sport setting of the optional adaptive suspension fitted to the 118TSI did fall victim to mid-corner bumps on a couple of occasions.Both petrol engines can be punched along quite happily but it is the twin-charger 118TSI that excels when asked for extra effort. Despite being a slightly detuned version of the powerplant from the previous GT model it is a wonderfully realistic compromise between urban toodler and open road attack weapon.If you didn't feel the need to spend the optional $1500 on the adaptive damping you really wouldn't be missing out on much.Across the range the standard suspension is better than average with the general disposition of the cars balanced and composed.Steering is typical of VW's front-drive cars with a comfortable degree of feedback, little tendency to be unsettled and consistent linear feel.The new generation red-hot GTI, which has been a mainstay of Golf sales in Australia, is expected to arrive towards the end of this year. In the interim the current GTI will still be available.VW Golf VIPrice: 90TSI $25,990, 118TSI $30,490, 103TDI $33,190 (add $2500 for DSG)Engine: 1.4L/4-cylinder turbo 90kW/200Nm; 1.4L/4-cylinder twin-charger 118kW/240Nm; 2.0L/4-cylinder turbo-diesel 103kW/320NmTransmission: 6-speed manual, 7-speed DSG, 6-speed DSG (diesel)Economy: 6.2L/100km (90TSI), 6.5L/100km (118TSI), 5.6L/100km (103TDI) - all combined cycle, all DSG.The 2009 Melbourne International Motor Show...

Right now you can get your grubby little hands on a red hot, limited edition GTI Pirelli that's going to knock your socks off.With 169kW of power to call on instead of the regular car's 147, the Pirelli is just what the doctor ordered.It follows in the tradition of the original Pirelli launched way back in 1983, based on the first generation, second series GTI.That car quickly achieved cult status and now, 25 years later, the new Pirelli is sure to set a few hearts beating faster too.In Australia, the GTI is Volkswagen's best selling model.With special 18inch Pirelli wheels and tyres, the Pirelli can sprint from 0 to 100km/h in 6.6 seconds and has a top speed of 245km/h.It's available in three and five door configurations and in a variety of colours . Inside, there are plenty of goodies too, but the highlight of the show has to be the special Pirelli sports buckets with their cool, tyre tread pattern that runs down the centre.Drivetrain The Pirelli's turbocharged, direct-injection 2.0-litre engine is currently the most powerful four cylinder petrol unit offered by Volkswagen, but it comes only with VW's DSG gearbox. There is no manual.Maximum power of 169kW is produced at 5500rpm and maximum torque of 300Nm is available across a wide band, from 2200 through to 5200rpm.Chassis, brakes and ESP combine for a well-balanced package, fitted with the latest generation of 225/40 series P-Zero tyres.The DSG box works like an auto, but it's really a robotised manual with two clutches and a computer to do the work of your left foot.Believe it or not, it even blips the throttle on downchanges when you're in sport mode.You've got the choice of leaving it in D, putting it into the more aggressive sport mode or changing gears manually, either with the shifter or tiny wheel mounted change paddles.It's quick, there's no denying that, but we'd still prefer a manual, only because we find the drive more engaging.Bumpers and side skirts are colour-coded, visually setting the GTI Pirelli apart from the standard GTI.Driving The Pirelli is quick, much quicker than a standard GTI, but perhaps not quite as quick as a WRX, at least off the line.Corner to corner, however, there's not much in it.Drive is through the front wheels with electronic stability control to keep things in check.The steering is precise and the car responds quickly to the throttle, with strong roll on mid range acceleration where you want it.You can push it hard through corners with confidence and the brakes are equally impressive. They're not Brembos, but they feel like them.Give the price some people are going to say why bother? Why not get an R32 and be done with it.We've driven both and we reckon the GTI is the pick.It's lighter, feels more agile and is better suited to the demands of city driving with its turbo boost for short, sharp bursts of power.Apart from missing out on a manual, our main gripe with this car concerns the ride qualityCompared to other Volkswagens we've driven, it's harsh and can even become annoying at times.Volkswagen has always had the happy knack of delivering a smooth ride that magically firms up in corners, but not this time.All is forgiven, however, as soon as you hit that first set of bends.Golf GTI Pirelli is priced from $47,490 and $48,990 respectively for three and five-door models.