Volkswagen Golf Mk7

The Volkswagen Golf (Mk7) is a C-segment car manufactured by German automobile manufacturer Volkswagen. It is the seventh generation in the Golf series and the successor to the Golf Mk6, and was introduced in Berlin on 4 September 2012, before a public launch at the 2012 Paris Motor Show. Sales in Europe began with the model in November 2012.
Marketed in three-door and five-door hatchback, van, and estate forms, the Golf Mk7 shares the MQB platform with the third generation Audi A3, SEAT León and Škoda Octavia.
In November 2016, Volkswagen presented a facelift of the Golf Mk7. It was replaced in December 2019 by the Golf Mk8, which is built on the MQB Evo platform. Production of the e-Golf and the Golf Variant ended in mid-2020.
Compared with the previous generation, the Golf Mk7 has a more spacious cabin with greater shoulder room for the front and rear passengers, more rear legroom, and a larger boot space. It is 20 mm (0.8 in) wider than the Mk6, with a 59 mm (2.3 in) longer wheelbase.
Engine options at launch include 1.2 and 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engines, with 85 PS (63 kW; 84 hp) and 140 PS (103 kW; 138 hp) respectively, and 1.6 and 2.0-litre diesel engines, with 105 PS (77 kW; 104 hp) and 150 PS (110 kW; 148 hp) respectively. The 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Concept has a theoretical combined fuel consumption of 3.2 L/100 km (88 mpg‑imp; 74 mpg‑US) and anticipated 85 g/km CO2 emissions.
Available body styles are three and five-door hatchbacks (including high-performance Golf GTI and Golf R models), and a five-door estate (known as the SportWagen in the United States, first advertised in May 2015). Sales of the three-door hatchback were not as strong as previous generations, and it was dropped with the launch of the eighth generation model in late 2019.
A van version based on the three-door Golf was sold only in Ireland to commercial customers and was cancelled as corporations opted for the bigger Volkswagen Caddy.
At launch in the US market, Volkswagen also offered the Golf Sport model. Around 650 of these SE four-door models were built, equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission. Offered in either Pure White or Platinum Gray, the Sport model is visually enhanced with a body kit that includes a front lip spoiler, side skirts, a rear valence, a larger rear spoiler, and chrome exhaust tips.
The Golf went on sale in the UK in early January and was released in Australia in April 2013.
In Brazil, the Golf Mk7 went on sale in September 2013, only in the High-line and GTI trims, along with the Comfortline trim, which was made available from March 2014. All models were imported from Germany until 2015, when local assembly commenced.
At its introduction in 2013, it won the Car of the Year Japan Award, the first time it was awarded to a European product.
The Golf, in its most basic Latin American market configuration with 7 airbags, received 5 stars for adult occupants and 5 stars for toddlers from Latin NCAP in 2014, and 5 stars for adult occupants and 5 stars for toddlers as well as the Advanced Award in 2017.
The 2021 Golf was tested by the IIHS:
The estate/station wagon of the Golf was revealed at Geneva Motor Show in March 2013. It was marketed as the Golf Variant in Germany and Golf SportWagen in the United States and Canada, replacing the Jetta SportWagen nameplate previously used in the US.
The Golf Estate's load space volume was expanded from the 505 litres of its predecessor to 605 litres (loaded up to the back seat backrest), versus the 380 litres of the Golf hatchback. Loaded up to the front seat backrests and under the roof, the Golf Estate offered a cargo volume of 1,620 litres (versus the 1,495 litres of the Golf Estate Mk6). The rear seat backrests can be folded remotely via a release in the boot. Four petrol engines and three diesel engines were available, ranging from 85 PS (63 kW; 84 hp) to 140 PS (103 kW; 138 hp) for the standard petrol engines and 90 PS (66 kW; 89 hp) to 150 PS (110 kW; 148 hp) for the diesel engines. For the first time, the Golf Estate was also available as a "full" BlueMotion model, including revised aerodynamics. This model uses a 1.6-litre diesel engine producing 110 PS and a six-speed manual gearbox, and was expected to achieve a combined fuel consumption of 85.6 mpg (equivalent to 87 g/km of CO2).
The Golf R Estate used the same EA888 2.0L engine and all-wheel drive system found in the Golf R hatchback, along with the other features unique to the R.
The Golf Alltrack was introduced as a ruggedized version of the Golf Estate with slightly raised suspension, body cladding, a front skidplate, and all-wheel drive, among other minor mechanical changes.
The Golf SportWagen was available in S, SE, and GT/SEL (Trendline, Comfortline, and Highline in Canada) trim levels and used the same drivetrains as the standard Golf. The Golf Sportwagen was also available with all-wheel drive in the US and Canada beginning with the 2017 model year, using the 1.8L engine with either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed DSG transmission until its discontinuation in 2020. The AWD Sportwagen shared its drivetrain with the Alltrack, though it did not incorporate the other changes made for that submodel.
The production version of the 2014 Volkswagen e-Golf was unveiled at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show. On 14 February 2014, Volkswagen launched sales of the e-Golf in Germany. In Norway, the e-Golf became available for pre-order on 25 February 2014 for delivery in June 2014. On 11 March 2014, Volkswagen opened ordering for the e-Golf in the UK with deliveries began at the end of June. Production of vehicles destined for retail customers began in March 2014. U.S. sales started in selected states in November 2014 with a single SEL Premium model for the 2015 model year. Volkswagen stopped sales of the e-Golf in the UK in 2021.
According to VW, the e-Golf has a practical all-electric range of 130 to 190 km (81 to 118 mi), with an official NEDC cycle of 190 km (118 mi), reduced to 80 to 120 km (50 to 75 mi) in the winter. Under the EPA driving cycle used in the United States, the 2015 e-Golf has a range of 83 mi (134 km), and combined city/highway efficiency of 116 mpg‑e (29 kW⋅h/100 mi) (miles per gallon petrol equivalent). Real-world experience showed range varied between 58 and 110 mi (93 and 177 km), depending on the weather and use of climate control, with an average efficiency of 3.7 mi/kWh over 2,700 mi (4,300 km) of driving, mostly within the city. A heat pump was available as an option to reduce the power consumed by the heater in cold weather.
The high-voltage traction battery has a storage capacity of 24.2 kWh, composed of 264 individual cells arranged in 27 modules of 6 or 12 cells each. It has a nominal voltage of 323 V. Overall weight of the entire vehicle, including driver, was 1,510 kg (3,330 lb), of which 318 kg (701 lb) was the battery. Initially, the e-Golf was announced with a liquid-cooled battery in November 2013. However, the "liquid-cooled" description was removed from subsequent press releases in early 2014. Active thermal management for the battery pack was dropped because internal testing using Mk6 e-Golf prototypes showed high ambient temperatures did not affect battery performance. The smaller battery in the hybrid petrol-electric GTE does use active thermal management, but that model is positioned as a hybrid version of the sporty GTI, rather than the e-Golf's equivalence as an electric version of the regular Golf Mk7.
The 2014–2016 model year e-Golf has a traction motor (designed EEM 85) and single-speed gearbox (EQ 270) with an output of 85 kW (114 hp) / 270 N⋅m (200 lbf⋅ft) in "Normal" mode; using "Eco" and "Eco+" mode reduces power / torque output to 70 kW (94 hp) / 220 N⋅m (162 lb⋅ft) and 54 kW (73 hp) / 175 N⋅m (129 lb⋅ft), respectively; both Eco and Eco+ disable the air conditioning system. In addition, four different levels of regenerative braking can be selected. The standard on-board AC charger has a maximum input power rating of 3.6 kW; as an option, DC fast charging using a Combined Charging System (CCS) connector is available, accepting DC power at a maximum rate of 40 kW. The DC fast charging option also upgrades the on-board AC charger to 7.2 kW.
Top speed was electronically limited to 140 km/h (87 mph). Externally, the e-Golf can be distinguished from its fossil fueled Mk7 counterparts with full LED headlamps and deletion of the exhaust outlet.
The 2017 version (Mk7.5) has an improved battery pack with a greater storage capacity of 35.8 kWh, giving a range of 300 kilometres (190 mi) on the NEDC scale and an EPA rating of 125 miles (201 km). In addition, the onboard charger was upgraded and accepts AC power at up to 7.2 kW as standard; DC fast charging (with CCS connector) was optional on the SE trim, and made standard for the SEL Premium and Limited Edition trims. Traction motor output also increased, to 130 hp (100 kW) and 210 lbf⋅ft (290 N⋅m), reducing acceleration time from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) to 9.6 seconds. Real-world testing indicated a full charge would provide a range of 110–120 mi (180–190 km). For the 2020 model year, due to a change in the EPA testing procedure, the e-Golf was re-rated to a 123 mi (198 km) range and the combined efficiency rating dropped from 119 to 113 mpg‑e (28 to 30 kW⋅h/100 mi).
The e-Golf was the last hatchback version of the Golf Mk7 produced in Europe, with production continuing until late December 2020 due to high demand, well after other powertrain variants which were discontinued in 2019. The successor ID.3 had been launched in 2019 and took over the e-Golf's Transparent Factory production line in Dresden, starting at the end of January 2021. In the United States, the production allotment of 2020 model year e-Golfs was diverted to Canada.
In China, domestic e-Golf production by the FAW-Volkswagen joint venture supplanted vehicles imported from Wolfsburg, starting in 2019. This helped VW meet the electric vehicle quota imposed by China: starting in 2019, manufacturers that sell more than 30,000 vehicles per year must ensure that ten percent of those are electric. Chinese production of the e-Golf by FAW-VW at the Foshan plant continued into 2021 with two models, the Golf·Pure Electric Motor and Golf·Pure Electric Motor Pro; the Foshan plant, which produced MQB platform vehicles from its opening in 2014, was retooled to add a MEB vehicle production line and the first ID.4 CROZZ vehicles began production at Foshan in late November 2020.
From the 2017 to 2020 model years, Canadian-market e-Golfs could be optioned with one of 40 custom-order paint colours offered as part of Volkswagen's Spektrum program at a cost of roughly $3,000 CAD. A total of 104 e-Golfs were ordered with a Spektrum-program colour.
The Golf GTE plug-in hybrid is driven by two power sources: a 1.4-litre 110 kW (150 PS; 148 hp) TSI direct-injection petrol engine and a 75 kW (101 hp) electric motor. Together, they combine to produce power of 150 kW (204 PS; 201 hp) and 350 N⋅m (258 lb⋅ft) of torque, with a theoretical range of 827 km (514 mi). Using the electric motor alone, the GTE is capable of speeds of 130 km/h (81 mph). With the TSI engine as well, the Golf GTE can accelerate from 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 7.6 seconds and on to a top speed of 215 km/h (134 mph). The Golf GTE shares the basic powertrain hardware with the Audi A3 Sportback e-tron but the software controls are different. The Golf GTE also shares the same plug-in hybrid powertrain with the Volkswagen Passat GTE, but the Passat has a larger 9.9 kWh Li-ion battery pack.
In EV mode, the Golf GTE has an official all-electric range of 50 km (31 mi) but in real world testing will often get around 35 km (22 mi) to 39 km (24 mi) miles of range. Under the New European Driving Cycle, combined fuel economy is 1.50 L/100 km (157 mpg‑US) equivalent. The electric power can also be saved—for example when driving to a zero-emissions zone. The 8.8 kWh lithium-ion battery can be charged in around three and a half hours from a domestic mains outlet, or two and a half hours from a domestic wallbox. The battery weighs 120 kg (265 lb), giving the GTE a total kerb weight of 1,520 kg (3,351 lb).
The car has 4 (or on some older models 5) driving modes. The car will always starts in all-electric mode (unless the battery has very low charge), a button beside the gear stick allows the driver to select between: Hybrid drive, Which allows the car to switch between electric drive and the petrol motor when driving. Charge Mode; which uses energy from the petrol engine to recharge the car's battery. Battery Hold Mode, which solely uses the petrol engine to save battery power (only available on older models) and back to Electric mode. The final option called 'GTE Mode' has a separate button beside the gear stick which allows the car to use both the petrol engine and the electric motor for a punchy performance.
The Golf GTE uses a six-speed DSG gearbox with a triple-clutch system specially developed for hybrid vehicles. The electric motor is integrated into the gearbox housing, while further hybrid components include power electronics and a charger. An electro-mechanical brake servo and an electric air conditioning compressor make for energy-efficient braking and air conditioning.
Volkswagen claims a 0.299 drag coefficient.
Inside as on the outside, the Golf GTE features blue highlights where the GTI has red. This includes stitching on the steering wheel, gear lever gaiter and seats, and a blue stripe in the tartan pattern on the sports seats. It includes bespoke functions for electric vehicles, including the ability to identify potential destinations on electric range, and electric charging points. The GTE will also feature an e-manager which allows the driver to preset vehicle charging as well as interior cooling or heating. These functions can also be operated remotely using the Volkswagen Car-Net app on a smartphone: a three-year subscription will be included in the UK.
The first GTE units were registered in Germany in August 2014, and it was the second-best selling plug-in hybrid in Europe in 2015 with 17,282 sales.
The Golf Mk7 GTD is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged common rail diesel engine with 184 PS (135 kW; 181 hp). Maximum torque has risen from 350 N⋅m (258 lb⋅ft) to 380 N⋅m (280 lb⋅ft) from 1,750 rpm. The Golf R, in comparison, has 380 N⋅m (280 lb⋅ft) from 1,800 rpm. Acceleration from 0-100 km/h (62 mph) takes 7.5 seconds, while the top speed is 227 km/h (141 mph). The GTD has a combined fuel consumption of 4.18 L/100 km; 56.2 mpg‑US (67.5 mpg‑imp), making for CO2 emissions of only 109 g/km. With the optional six-speed dual-clutch gearbox (DSG), fuel consumption is 4.50 L/100 km; 52.3 mpg‑US (62.8 mpg‑imp) and CO2 emissions of 119 g/km. For comparison, when the first generation Golf BlueMotion went on sale at the end of 2007, it had the same fuel economy and CO2 emissions.
The Golf Mk7 GTI is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged direct-injection petrol engine (TSI) with 220 PS (162 kW; 217 hp). In the GTI Performance version, the engine's maximum power is boosted to 230 PS (169 kW; 227 hp). Both GTI models develop 350 N⋅m (36 kg⋅m; 258 lb⋅ft) of torque. The standard GTI accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.5 seconds and can reach a top speed of 250 km/h. The GTI Performance has a top speed of 250 km/h and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.4 seconds.
Both versions of the GTI are equipped with a start-stop system and fulfil 2014 Euro 6 emissions standards. With a six-speed manual gearbox, they attain the same low fuel consumption value of 47.1 mpg‑imp (6.00 L/100 km) (CO2 emissions of 139 g/km. This means that the latest Golf GTI offers an 18 percent improvement in fuel economy compared to the previous model. With the optional six-speed DSG gearbox, the two GTI models achieve fuel consumption figures of 44.1 mpg‑imp (6.41 L/100 km) (equivalent to 148 g/km CO2 for the standard GTI and 149 g/km CO2 for the GTI Performance).
Buyers who purchase the £980 Performance Pack not only gain 7 kW but also upgraded brakes and a limited-slip differential. The front differential is a new development, dubbed VAQ. This provides more neutral and agile driving behaviour and allows higher speeds to be carried through curves. The system consists of a multi-plate coupler between the differential cage and right driveshaft, which controls locking torque electro-hydraulically. Visually, vehicles with the Performance Pack are distinguished by 'GTI' lettering on the front brake caliper, larger vented brake discs front and rear (the same as fitted to the 'R' version), and red GTI badges on the front and rear although some cars still retained their silver badging despite being fitted with the Performance Pack.
As well as high performance, a high level of safety equipment comes standard in the Golf GTI. On top of high passive safety levels—thanks in part to a passenger cell made from high- and ultra-high strength steels—active safety features include the Automatic Post-Collision Braking system, which automatically applies the vehicle brakes after an accident to reduce the chances of a second impact; the pre-crash system, which tensions seatbelts and closes windows and the sunroof if an accident is likely to improve the effectiveness of the airbags; and seven airbags as standard, including one for the driver's knees.
In many markets including Mexico and South Africa, the GTI version is only available with the five-door body style, with no plans to introduce the three-door body.
Volkswagen introduced a "Rabbit Edition" GTI for the 2019 model year. The Rabbit Edition featured a LED lighting package, a "Vmax" spoiler, 18-inch "Pretoria" alloy wheels painted in gloss black, and red tags embroidered with the VW Rabbit logo on the seat.
Volkswagen's Mexican division introduced an "Oettinger" version for the GTI for the 2021 model year. The Oettinger version features an aerodynamic kit for the front fascia with lip and splitters, side skirts, a new rear bumper with integrated diffuser and a new spoiler with flaps, which stand out next to the version-specific 18-inch wheel set and black side mirrors. It is available in three colour options; Pure White, Tornado Red and Cornflower Blue. It will go on sale on 7 December 2020 and 700 units will only be built.
Volkswagen introduced the special-edition GTI Clubsport for 2016, coinciding with the GTI's 40th anniversary. The Clubsport was not available in the United States. On the exterior, the Clubsport features a revised front fascia, more aggressive rear hatch spoiler, new rear diffuser with larger exhaust tips, and a black stripe along the lower sides of the body. Inside the car, the Clubsport is equipped with bucket seats and an Alcantara steering wheel and shift lever.
The Clubsport uses the same 2.0-litre EA888 turbocharged inline-4 as the standard GTI which has been revised to produce 261 horsepower, with up to 286 horsepower for 10 seconds at a time via an included overboost feature which raises the engine's boost pressure by 0.2 bar, up to 2.1 bar. Transmission choices remain the same as the standard GTI, with both the 6-speed manual and 6-speed DSG available, both equipped with the standard GTI's optional limited-slip differential. Weight is listed as 1,375 kg. The Clubsport was available from the factory with optional Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires. The official 0-to-60 time is quoted as 5.9 seconds, 0.6 seconds quicker than the standard GTI with Performance Package.
The 3-door GTI Clubsport S was a limited-edition version of the GTI Clubsport sold as a higher-strung version optimized for faster track times. Only 400 were produced for the 2016 model year. Upgrades from the Clubsport to the Clubsport S include new front suspension and subframe components, updated suspension alignment, upgraded brakes, a more highly-strung version of the GTI's 2.0L EA888 turbocharged inline-4, using the larger IHI IS38 turbocharger instead of the IS20, that produces 310 PS (228 kW; 306 hp) and 385 N⋅m (39 kg⋅m; 284 lb⋅ft) of torque, standard Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 track-oriented tires, removal of the rear seats and some sound deadening, and a quoted weight of 2,998 pounds (1,360 kg).
The result of these modifications is a lap time of 7 minutes, 49.21 seconds around the Nürburgring Nordschleife track, 1.4 seconds faster than the Honda Civic Type R, which held the previous record for a front-wheel drive production car. The Clubsport S was released with an estimated base price of £35,000.
In January 2019, Volkswagen introduced new high-performance variation, the Golf GTI TCR with 290 PS 2-litre engine and special trim.
Units were largely limited in production.
Australia received an allocation of 300 vehicles in total, 100 units in each of the three available colors - red, grey and white. All the vehicles arrived in the fourth quarter of 2020 for the MY20 model year. They were sold as the final GTI examples for the Mk7 shape.
Like the GTI, the Golf R is also built as a three- or five-door hatchback and there's also a wagon version. It is powered by a newly developed version of the 1,984 cc (2.0 L; 121.1 cu in) turbocharged EA888 petrol FSI straight-four engine used in the latest Golf GTI, Audi S3, Volkswagen Tiguan and Jetta, and dozens of other Volkswagen AG vehicles, but in this application, it produces 300 PS (221 kW; 296 hp) (or 280 PS (206 kW; 276 hp) for "hot climate" markets such as Australia, South Africa, Japan, and the US) from 5,500 to 6,200 rpm and 380 N⋅m (280 lb⋅ft) from 1,800 to 5,500 rpm of torque. Compared to the GTI's powerplant, the Golf R's engine has a modified cylinder head, exhaust valves, valve seats and springs, pistons, injection valves and larger intercooler and turbocharger. DSG-equipped models also come with an auxiliary oil cooler on the passenger side on right hand drive models.
0-62 mph (100 km/h) takes 5.1 seconds (versus 5.7 seconds for the previous Golf R) or 4.9 seconds with the optional DSG gearbox. The top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph (249 km/h). Despite this increased performance, a combined fuel consumption of 39.8 miles per imperial gallon (7.10 L/100 km; 33.1 mpg‑US), and CO2 emissions of 165 g/km and emissions of 159 g/km DSG) make the Golf R up to 18 percent more efficient than its predecessor.
The R uses an updated, fifth-generation Haldex 4MOTION four-wheel drive system. Under low loads or when coasting, the rear axle is decoupled, helping to reduce fuel consumption. Drive to the rear axle can be engaged in fractions of a second via the Haldex coupling, which is actuated by an electro-hydraulic pump. Up to 50 percent of power can be transferred to the rear axle. A brake-actuated XDS+ system mimics a limited-slip differential by applying the brakes to the wheel with the least traction, this is on both the front and rear axles.
The ride height is 20 mm lower than the standard Golf. Golf R models equipped with the optional 'DCC' (Dynamic Chassis Control) offer three suspension modes: 'Comfort', 'Normal', and 'Race'. Each mode adjusts the stiffness of the suspension damping, thereby offering drivers a way to change the way the vehicle responds with the push of a button. Comfort mode places the dampers in the softest setting, increasing the absorption of road imperfections and allowing for a smoother and more comfortable ride. Race mode stiffens the dampers to their most aggressive setting, reducing body movements and increasing adhesion to the road for more precise high-speed driving. Race mode also increases throttle response, firms up the steering for a heftier feel, and alters the shift pattern of the DSG gearbox (where fitted), and increases the speed of the Adaptive headlamps (AFS) response time.
On top of ESC Sport mode, as found on the GTI and GTD, which delays intervention of the electronic stability control system, the R offers the option fully to disengage the ESC, for track driving.
For the Canadian market, the optional Discover Pro 8" infotainment system is available as part of the single option "Technology Package," while only the 6.5" Discover is available to US consumers. In North America, the Golf R comes standard with halogen tail lights and HID bi-xenon headlights with LED front and side view mirror turn signals, while ROW markets received the options for a sunroof, a three-door version, and LED tail lights. All these features are not available in the North American version. The Golf R and e-Golf are the only Golf models available in North America that was produced in Germany. Other Golf models for the North American market are produced by Volkswagen de México in Puebla, Mexico.
A limited edition Golf R400 was rumored in August 2015 by Heinz-Jakob Neusser, then-head of brand development, but in the wake of the Volkswagen emissions scandal (and Neusser's suspension) it was cancelled in favor of focusing on the Golf R.
For the South African market, the Golf R received another upgrade in power in March 2019. The upgrade resulted in 310 PS (228 kW; 306 hp) and 400 N⋅m (41 kg⋅m; 295 lb⋅ft) of torque (up from 290 PS (213 kW; 286 hp) and 380 N⋅m (39 kg⋅m; 280 lb⋅ft) in the facelift seen in July 2017). Additionally, the Golf R was also optionally available with an Akrapovič performance exhaust from the factory.
The Mk7 Golf R was discontinued in the United States in August 2019.
For the 2018 model year in Canada and 2019 model year in both Canada and the United States, Volkswagen offered 40 custom-order paint colours for the Golf R as part of their Spektrum Program. The program was initially introduced only for Canadian-market e-Golfs. Many of the colours offered were previously available on past Volkswagen Group models. The option carried a lead time of two to four months, as each car ordered as part of the Spektrum program was hand-painted in a separate facility from the main production line. Each custom-order colour carried an MSRP in the United States of $2,500.
A total of 473 Spektrum Golf Rs were produced, with 199 going to the United States, before the Mk7 Golf R's discontinuation in North America.
In November 2016, Volkswagen revealed a facelifted version of the Golf Mk7. This model is referred to as the "New Golf" by Volkswagen, while it is often informally referred to as the Golf 7.5. A new engine was introduced along with the facelift: a 1.5-litre TSI which produces 95.6 kW (128.2 hp; 130.0 PS) or 110 kW (148 hp; 150 PS). Initially, the existing 1.4-litre TSI was available alongside the new 1.5-litre engine. The updated Golf GTI was increased from 162 kW (217 hp; 220 PS) to 169 kW (227 hp; 230 PS) in the standard car and from 169 kW (227 hp; 230 PS) to 180.2 kW (241.7 hp; 245.0 PS) with the Performance Pack. The Golf R similarly had its output increased from 221 kW (296 hp; 300 PS) to 228 kW (306 hp; 310 PS). In addition, the facelift increased infotainment screen size across the range, as well as adding the option for a fully digital dashboard. The rear lights now utilise LED technology as standard (including a "sweeping" indicator effect on performance models) while this technology is optional on most models for the headlights.
The facelifted Golf Mk7 was released in North America for the 2018 model year. The previous 1.8L EA888 engine was replaced by the 147 hp 1.4L EA211 engine as the only available powerplant, while the 5-speed manual and 6-speed automatic transmissions were replaced by 6- and 8-speed units, respectively. The all-wheel drive Golf Sportwagen and Golf Alltrack models retained the 1.8L EA888 engine along with the 6-speed manual or 6-speed DSG transmissions.
The Golf line is available in all the relevant drive systems: the Golf TSI, including GTI, is petrol-powered; Golf TDI, including GTD, is diesel-powered; the Golf TGI is powered by compressed natural gas (CNG); the e-Golf is powered by electricity; and Golf GTE is a plug-in hybrid. The use of a modular transverse matrix assembly kit enables the manufacturing of Golf models with petrol, diesel, natural gas, electric and hybrid drives from bumper to bumper at Volkswagen factories. Retail deliveries of the e-Golf in Germany began in the second quarter of 2014. U.S. sales started in selected markets during the fourth quarter of 2014. The Golf GTE was launched also in the fourth quarter of 2014.
All internal combustion engines are three- or four-cylinder units:
The Golf Sportsvan or Golf SV, is a five-door compact MPV which was designed and produced by the German automaker Volkswagen between 2014 and 2020. Previewed as the Volkswagen Sportsvan concept at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show and positioned below the seven-seater Touran in the company's product catalogue, it is derived from the Golf Mk7 and based on the MQB platform, and was also assembled at the Wolfsburg plant alongside the standard Golf hatchback. At 4,338 mm long, the new SV is 134 mm longer than the Golf Plus that it replaces, 83 mm longer than the Golf hatchback, and 224 mm shorter than the Golf Estate.