Friday, April 21, 2006

What We Can Expect from the Next Gen Golf

Text from Auto Express.
The sensational pictures in this week's mag show how the conservative look of the current Golf is enhanced by several dramatic styling cues. Aggression is key to the new front end, with headlights angled in towards a GTI-style honeycomb grille. In profile, the VW's waistline will become more pronounced, while the rear styling is inspired by the Concept A sports SUV, which debuted at March's Geneva Motor Show. The aim is to create a similar unmistakable shape to that of the original MkI Golf of the Seventies, while also incorporating a more upmarket Audi-style look.

The current car's basic platform will be carried over, but it will be tweaked to allow VW to employ the latest manufacturing techniques. As a result, the Golf should be cheaper to produce for the firm. Few who have driven the current Golf will question the improvement over its predecessor, but it hasn't been the sales hit in Europe that bosses hoped.

To increase the family hatch's showroom appeal, the MkVI will get a new dashboard which is expected to look more adventurous than the MkV's.

A top priority will be to incorporate new technology, with a dedicated dock for MP3 players in the armrest and provision for the latest wireless electronic gadgets. Under the bonnet, the current FSI petrol and TDI diesel powerplants will carry over, while the firm's supercharged and turbocharged TSI system will be applied to more engines.

The first TSI was a 1.4-litre unit, but larger capacity motors are set to employ the same set-up - a 2.0-litre version could even power the next Golf GTI. However, before the MkVI is even introduced, performance fans look set to be treated to a powerful flagship MkV.

A revised Golf Plus will also be available, while the range will grow to include the Cross-Golf 4x4. And designers are also rumoured to be considering a soft-top version, which will offer a cheaper alternative to the Eos coupé-cabrio.