Volkswagen Golf VI test drive 5 doors since 2008 Hatchback

Das Auto

Volkswagen Golf VI. Price: N.D. On sale: from March 2009
The sixth generation Volkswagen Golf turned out to be almost impeccable: honed control, effective brakes, excellent soundproofing, excellent dynamics and all this with absolutely unemotional appearance. It is difficult to argue with the slogan of the company, informing that we are dealing with the car. And we had no doubt. New Golf Das Auto
Test pilot
Stanislav Pavlov, 36 years old, deputy chief editor of the magazine, driving experience for 20 years, personal car Mazda6
Any acquaintance with the car begins with an external inspection. We will not make exceptions for Volkswagen Golf, all the more so that we have the long -awaited sixth generation of an unprecedented bestseller of all time. To be honest, the machine looks rustic. The journey around the body did not reveal any memorable details: everything is smooth and streamlined. The original wheels and front headlights resembling slightly slanting female eyes bring some diversity. Otherwise, the principle of simplicity and minimalism is applied.
However, behind external simplicity lies a meticulously thought -out design thought, originating from Golf I. And I must say that the creators of the next generation have the right to experiments. They draw their confidence in the fact that not a single car in the world has spread such a circulation as Golf. Moreover, disputes about appearance accompanied all the generations of the bestseller. But in the end, Volkswagen always won the victory.
On the streets of the rainy and cold raykjavik, where the debutant test was held, any variations on the Golf topic were found. Unless the first generation, whose premiere took place in 1974, will practically not find. But the remaining representatives of the glorious family are represented in complete glory. If you put the novelty next to the march, related features are guessed instantly. And this is despite the fact that cars were developed by different people. For example, the creator of the third generation is headed by the designer center Renault.
The current car artists took up the matter thoroughly. They did not create from scratch, but revealed the characteristic features of all descendants and the entire VW model range. In particular, such features include the clarity of the front panel of the first generation body and the backstone brought to perfection in the fourth generation. Due to the expressive line, which passes from the front headlights to the rear, the roof, as in Scirocco, expands along the line of the shoulder girdle. Thanks to this solution, the silhouette of the new Golf becomes lower and more voluminous.
The length of the new Golf is 4199 mm, which is 5 mm less than that of the predecessor. On the other hand, the novelty became 20 mm wider, and the height remained the same. Nevertheless, the 6th generation model looks more elongated, which is achieved due to successfully selected proportions.
In the design of the front part, a grate, painted in a shiny black color, was used horizontally racial between the headlights. Bumper lines are harmoniously combined with the design of the radiator. Below is an extended air intake, painted, like a lattice, black. There are also chrome headlights on a black base, giving some swiftness.
In the design of the rear, horizontal lines dominate. Widely located rear lights make a unique night appearance of the car. The clarity of the lines of the light -signal devices and back lamps are similar to the rear lights of Touareg. In other words, external simplicity is very deceptive. The longer you study the new Golf, the more you are convinced of the cunning of this simpleton.
The salon is not as simple as the exterior. Inside creates the feeling that you are in a car of almost a premium class. By the way, Golf has repeatedly made revolutions as finishing materials. So, apparently, this time is happening. Details such as chrome linings with a silky-lofty luster, or rounded outlines of devices and steering wheel borrowed from the Passat CC model, give the impression of the car belonging to a higher class. And all this is true not only for two improved options for configuration Comfortline and Highline, but also for the basic Trendline.
To enter the European market, Volkswagen offers a new Golf with four gasoline and two diesel engines with a power range from 80 to 160 hp. True, not all of them will be delivered to our country. For testing, we chose a new diesel engine with a volume of 2.0 liters, which, according to our data, should appear in Russia. The 110-horsepower TDI, which debuts by Golf, works in combination with a 6-speed automatic. This motor is released by an outstanding fuel consumption in a mixed cycle of only 4.5 liters per 100 km of run. In this case, the machine has normal dynamics. Acceleration to a hundred takes 10.7 s, and the maximum speed is 194 km/h.
Icelandic roads are special. In the vicinity of Reykjavik, they are a set of constant turns to the right and left, but there are no serious height differences. It is in such conditions that the controllability of the car is best checked. Like it or not, Golf is very distant, but still a relative of Porsche. Apparently, this genetic fact explains the honed controllability of the disciplier of the golf class. The machine simply and even somehow a little boring performs the driver’s commands, not giving a reason to doubt his devotion. When humility begins to annoy the driver and he makes a deliberate mistake, Volkswagen, equipped in the basic version of the ESP system, quickly cools human temperament. The car begins to slow down, preventing dangerous trends. Do not pamper!
The price of the new GOLF has not yet been established, but it is known that in Europe, the novelty will sell an average of 200 euros more. True, the equipment of cars will become richer.
Appearance for an amateur
There are cars that attract their appearance. It often does not matter to customers of such machines what is inside, what are the technical characteristics. The new VW Golf, on the contrary, does not attract anything special. During the first examination, there is nothing to catch on the eye at all. But the longer you get acquainted with the debutant, the better you understand that he is not so simple. In the design of the front part, a grate, painted in a shiny black color, was used horizontally located between the headlights. Bumper lines are harmoniously combined with the design of the radiator. Below is an extended air intake, painted, like a lattice, black. Due to the expressive line, which passes from the front headlights to the rear, the roof expands along the line of the shoulder girdle.
Driving
Golf simply and somehow boredly performs the driver’s commands, not giving a reason to doubt his devotion.
   
Salon
The salon used materials of the highest quality. It seems that you are in a higher class car.
   
Comfort
VW Golf is comfortable as much as a car of the size can be comfortable. At least my colleague, tired of a distant flight, overslept in the back seat for about an hour. This says a lot.
   
Safety
The car whose body is made using high -strength steel varieties is equipped with the most modern protective equipment. There is no doubt that on the tests of Euro NCAP he will receive five stars.
   
Price
The price of the car will be determined closer to the start of sales, which will begin in March next year.
  
Advantages and disadvantages
+ Excellent handling, good finishing materials of the salon, a wide range of economical engines.
- lack of emotional solutions in the design of the exterior.
Specifications
Mark and model - VW Golf VI
Dimensions - 4199x1779x1479 mm
Engine - turbodiesel, 1968 cm3, 140 hp/4200 min -1
Transmission - automatic, 6 -speed KP
Dynamics - max 209 km/h; 9.3 s to 100 km/h
Competitors - Mitsubishi Lancer, Toyota Corolla, Renault Megane, Mazda3
Our opinion
The new Volkswagen Golf is not as simple as it seems first. Behind the ascetic appearance lies a real athlete, capable of performing a variety of tasks of its owner. If we talk about the filling, not many can boast of such a set of standard and additional equipment. What, for example, is an automatic parking system without human participation.

Author: Stanislav Pavlov
 
 

 

Source: Magazine 5 wheel [November 2008]