Volkswagen Golf Mk7
The Volkswagen Golf (Mk7) (also known as the Golf VII) is a small family car produced by German automobile manufacturer Volkswagen, as the seventh generation of the Golf and the successor to the Golf Mk6. It was introduced in Berlin on 4 September 2012, before a public launch at the 2012 Paris Motor Show and marketed for the 2013 model year in hatchback, van, and station wagon (known as the Golf Variant) forms. Cars reached Volkswagen dealers in the Golf's European domestic market on 10 November 2012. The Golf Mk7 uses the same MQB platform as  the third-generation Audi A3, SEAT León and Škoda Octavia. At its introduction in 2013, it won the Car of the Year Japan Award, the first time it was awarded to a European product. On 10 November 2016, VW presented a facelift of the Golf Mk7. In December 2019, it was replaced by the Volkswagen Golf Mk8. However, production of e-Golf and Golf Variant will stop the following year, precisely in mid-2020 for Golf Variant. Overview. Compared with the previous generation, the Golf Mk7 has a roomier cabin with greater shoulder room for the front and rear passengers, more  rear legroom, and more boot space. It is wider than the Mk6, with a longer wheelbase. Engine options at launch include 1.2 and 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engines, with and respectively, and 1.6 and 2.0-litre diesel engines, with and respectively. The 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Concept has a theoretical combined fuel consumption of and anticipated 85 g/km emissions. Available body styles are three and five door hatchbacks (including high-performance Golf GTI and Golf R models), and a five-door station wagon (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 was made out of the 3 door Golf. It was only sold in Ireland and for 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. About 650 of these SE four-door models were built, equipped with the six-speed automatic transmission. Offered in either Pure White or Platinum Gray, the Sport model is visually enhanced with  a striking bodykit 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 Highline 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. Station wagon. The station wagon of the Golf was revealed at Geneva Motor Show in March 2013 . It is 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 loadspace volume has been 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 new Golf Estate offers a cargo volume of 1,620 litres (versus the 1,495 litres of the Golf Estate Mk VI). The rear seat backrests can be  folded remotely via a release in the boot. Four petrol engines and three diesel engines are available, ranging from 85 to 140 PS in the petrol and 90 to 150 PS for the diesel engines. For the first time, the Golf Estate will also be available as a "full" BlueMotion model (with other modifications including revised aerodynamics). This model uses a 1.6-litre diesel engine producing 110 PS, has a six-speed manual gearbox, and is expected to achieve a combined fuel consumption of just 85.6 mpg (equivalent to 87 g/km of CO2). The Golf station wagon is available  in S, SE and GT (Trendline, Comfortline and Highline in Canada) (GT is SEL in the USA) trim levels. There is also a Golf Estate R, using the same EA888 2.0 engine found in the MkVII Golf R hatchback. The Golf Variant is also built as a rugged version called "Alltrack" with slightly-raised suspension, body cladding, and all-wheel drive. e-Golf. The production version of the 2014 Volkswagen e-Golf was unveiled at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show. According to VW the e-Golf has a practical all-electric range of , with an official NEDC cycle of , and  the winter range is expected to be . The 2015 e-Golf has a range of , and combined city/highway efficiency of 116 miles per gallon gasoline equivalent (MPGe). Production of vehicles destined for retail customers began in March 2014. On 14 February 2014, Volkswagen launched sales of the e-Golf in Germany, with pricing starting at (~). On 11 March 2014, Volkswagen opened ordering for the e-Golf in the UK, priced at . UK deliveries began at the end of June. The U.S. version of the 2015 e-Golf did not have a liquid-cooled battery pack because strict testing  showed high ambient temperatures did not affect battery performance. In Norway, the e-Golf became available for pre-order on 25 February 2014 for delivery in June 2014. More than 1,300 cars were ordered that same day. By 3March 2014, nearly 2,000 cars had been pre-ordered. Prices range from (~) for the basic model to (~) with all available options, comparable to the cheapest petrol and diesel models. The VW e-Golf was the top selling plug-in electric car in July 2014 with 391 units sold and representing 34.4% of the Golf nameplate sales (1,136), which was Norway 's top selling new car that month. The e-Golf was again the top selling electric car in August 2014 with 467 units sold, representing 43.4% of the Golf nameplate sales that month (1,075). In two months and a half a total of 925 Volkswagen e-Golf cars have been sold in Norway, surpassing initial Model S sales which delivered 805 units during its first two months in the Norwegian market. A total of 1,358 units have been sold in Europe through August 2014. U.S sales are slated to start in selected markets in November 2014 at a price for  the SEL Premium model starting at before any applicable government incentives, plus destination and delivery. Volkswagen of America sold 119 units of the e-Golf during November 2014, the first full month of sales for the vehicle. In Spain, 2015, the price of a brand-new e-Golf was at 35,500 euro. The 2017 version has an improved battery pack of 35.8 kWh giving a range of on the NEDC scale and an EPA rating of . E-Golf was the last hatchback version of the Golf Mk7 produced in Europe, with production continuing until late December 2020, unlike all other  powertrains discontinued in 2019, due to high demand. As of April 2021, the e-Golf is still sold in China with two models available known as: Golf·Pure Electric Motor and Golf·Pure Electric Motor Pro. Golf GTE. The Golf GTE plug-in hybrid is driven by two power sources: a 1.4-litre TSI direct-injection petrol engine and a 75 kW electric motor. Together, they combine to produce power of and of torque, with a theoretical range of . Using the electric motor alone, the GTE is capable of speeds of . With the TSI engine as well, the Golf GTE can accelerate  from 0- in 7.6 seconds and on to a top speed of . 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 all-electric range of . The all-electric mode can be activated at the push of a button. Under the New European Driving Cycle, combined fuel economy is 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 , giving the GTE a total kerb weight of . 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. 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. A 5.8-inch touchscreen display is standard, the eight-inch Discover Pro satellite navigation system with DAB radio and Bluetooth is a £1765 option, and 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. Golf GTD. The MK7 GTD is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged common rail diesel engine with . Maximum torque—the characteristic that arguably best defines  the easily accessible performance of the GTD—has risen from to from 1,750 rpm. The Golf R, in comparison, has from 1,800 rpm. Acceleration from 0- takes 7.5 seconds, while the top speed is . The GTD has a combined fuel consumption of , making for emissions of only 109 g/km. With the optional six-speed DSG, fuel consumption is and 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 emissions. As with the GTI, a very high level of safety equipment  is found as standard on the MkVII GTD. Golf GTI. The MK7 GTI is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged direct-injection petrol engine (TSI) with 162 kW (220 PS). In the GTI Performance version, the engine's maximum power is boosted to 169 kW (230 PS). Both GTI models develop 350 N⋅m 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 . Despite its performance, it is in insurance group 29E, five groups lower than its predecessor. 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 (CO2 emissions of 139 g/km). This means that the latest Golf GTI offers an 18 per cent 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 (equivalent to 148 g/km for the standard  GTI and 149 g/km for the GTI Performance). Buyers who purchase the £980 Performance pack not only gain 7 kW, but also gain 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 as 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; front assist, which warns the driver in the event of coming too close to the vehicle in front, can prime the brakes, and operates at speeds of up to 160 km/h; city emergency braking, which can automatically brake the vehicle at speeds below 30 km/h; automatic distance control, a radar-operated cruise control that maintains a set distance from the vehicle in front; 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, "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. GTI Clubsport (2016). 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 2.0L 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 manual three-door Clubsport started at £30,935, with the DSG model starting at £32,290 and the five-door variant starting at £31,540. GTI Clubsport S. 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 that produces 306 horsepower and 284 foot-pounds 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. Golf R. Like the GTI, the Golf R is also built as a three- or five-door hatchback. It is powered by a newly developed version of the turbocharged EA888 petrol FSI inline-four engine used in the latest Golf GTI (and Audi S3), but  in this application producing (or for "hot climate" markets such as Australia, South Africa, Japan, and the US) from 5,500 to 6,200 rpm and 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 previous Golf R), or 4.9 seconds with  optional DSG gearbox. The top speed is electronically limited to . Despite this increased performance, a combined fuel consumption of , and emissions of 165 g/km (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 by the push of a button. Comfort mode places the  dampers in the softest setting, increasing the absorption of road imperfections 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) as well as 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 Headlight 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 to 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 228 kW and 400 nm of torque (up from 213 kW and 380 nm in the facelift seen in July 2017). Additionally the Golf R also provides the option of fitting an Akrapovic performance exhaust at the factory. The MK7 Golf R was dropped from US markets in August 2019 to make way for the Volkswagen Golf MK8 in 2020. Facelift. 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 or . Initially, the existing 1.4-litre TSI was available alongside the new 1.5-litre engine. The updated Golf GTI was increased from to in the standard car and from to with the performance pack. The Golf R similarly had its output increased from to . 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. Powertrain. 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 gasoline, 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: Golf Sportsvan/SV. The Golf Sportsvan or Golf SV is a five-door compact MPV derived from the Golf Mk7 which was produced between 2014 and 2020. Previewed as the Volkswagen Sportsvan concept at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show, it is also built on the MQB platform and was 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. Compared with the boot of its predecessor, the capacity is increased by 76 litres to 500 litres with the back seats at their rear-most position (versus the Golf's 380 litres and the Estate's 605 litres). Moving the rear seats forwards increases the luggage capacity to 590 litres, while folding the rear seats liberates up to 1,520 litres of room. The front passenger seat can also optionally fold  fully forward, creating a load space which is up to 2,484 mm long. Like the Golf, the Golf SV comes with many standard and optional safety systems. These include a standard automatic post-collision braking system, which automatically brakes the vehicle after a collision to reduce kinetic energy significantly and thus minimise the chance of a second impact, and a PreCrash system (Proactive Occupant Protection) which, on detecting the possibility of an accident, pre-tensions seatbelts and closes the windows and sunroof, leaving just a small gap, to ensure the best possible protection from the airbags. A first for the  Golf SV is a blind spot monitor, dubbed Side Scan, with an assistant for exiting parking spaces. This monitors the area behind and to the sides of the vehicle, ensuring easier and safer egress when reversing from a parking bay. It will be packaged as an option together with Lane Assist. Powertrain. Powering the SV is a range of petrol and diesel engines, all of which incorporate Stop/Start and battery regeneration systems. There are two turbocharged 1.2-litre petrol engines with 85 and 110 PS; two 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engines with 125 and 150 PS; and three turbodiesels : a 2.0-litre 150 PS, a 1.6-litre 90 PS and a 1.6-litre 110 PS. When fitted in the Golf SV BlueMotion, this last engine is expected to return fuel economy of 76.3 mpg and emit 95 g/km of CO2. All engines apart from the 1.2-litre TSI 85 PS can be ordered with a DSG gearbox.