Thursday 24th July 2003

New Golf

Growing old with its buyers - is this the last stage of middle aged spread?

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The Golf is to be launched in its fifth generation; and the first images of the new model are revealed today.

Since introduction over 30 years ago, an incredible 20 million Golfs have been sold. The original Golfs were welcomed as a real innovation when hatchbacks were sill a relatively new idea.  They were good to drive and fun with the original GTi sparking a wealth of copycat models from other manufacturers.

Generally speaking the Golf has aged with its owners, becoming bigger, heavier, losing some of its style and generally being more sensible and drinking less.

VW claim that the Golf Mk V is the biggest step forward so far in the evolution of the model, both visually and technically. The front end is completely new and designed to reduce further aerodynamic drag. At the rear, the Golf Mk V has a strong visual presence with twin circular tail-lights.

The Golf Mk V will be even larger than the current generation, with the following key dimensions: 4,204 mm long (+ 57 mm over Mk IV), 1,759 mm wide (+ 24 mm), 1,483 mm high (+ 39 mm), and with more interior space, particularly in the rear-seat area (+ 65 mm legroom, + 24 mm headroom).

New suspension, new engines and a direct shift gearbox (DSG) will all be available. Both three and five-door hatchback models will be on sale, and though specification and pricing will be announced much closer to launch.

The new Golf will make its public debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, with UK sales starting early next year.

[ChrisD]

Booooooring...

[steff]

Why does it use the same design alloys as Peugeot 307 XSi?

Have VW run out of ideas?

Would post a picture to show the difference but I've got to be home by half 5 ...

[Podie]

It looks startled!

[Hughesie2]

Podie said:

It looks startled!

It looks like a 307 with a VDub badge !

[agent006]

Looks like a Nissan Almera Tino.

[sabre]

Looks like a Fiat Stilo, and my VW experience suggests no more reliable!

Another Eurobox

[chrisx666]

I'll be happy enough if the 175hp diesel version makes it onto my company car list by the time I come to change again. Hope it looks a bit better in the flesh though..

[DennisTheMenace]

Christ what a dull looking tin box , looks like a good cure for insomnia

[Buffalo]

Looks a cross between a Yaris, a Megane and a Civic....

But of course - it wwill be *well built* so will sell i suppose.

I bloody wish we could get away from this "bland silver blob design" we seem to have gotten into lately though....

Where is all the excitement. Any car from the 70's/ 80's beats mdern cars for looks hands down..... Progress?

My house mate has a new polo 5 door - its bigger than the mk1 golf!!!

>> Edited by Buffalo on Friday 25th July 12:50

[XM5ER]

it looks like 3 seperate cars, the front is bigger than the middle which is bigger than the back. I looks weird, I like the Mk4 the misses has the GTTDI but this is way ugly.

[docevi1]

It's the same car as the Audi A3, except the Audi looks nice.

I love the ad!

Stefan

[FourWheelDrift]

I've seen this somewhere before

Toyota Avensis Verso