How many cars can you think of that have stood the test of time for thirty-four years? Not many. The Ford Fiesta has come close celebrating thirty years but most cars as with aging rock bands, take centre stage for a while then fade away.
So for a car to continually be successful for all those years, it must have something very special. Iconic to start with, adding on a cult following and then having the ability to change with the times. Rather like Status Quo I suppose or Elton John. Just when you think they have lost the plot, back they come with another revamped song followed by another reunion tour.
That is exactly what has happened to the Volkswagen Golf. Mark 1 was born in 1974. This was such are revolutionary car in those days and became highly successful. Mark 11 arrived in 1984 bigger and better than its predecessors. Could any other manufacturer beat such exquisite engineering as seen in this Golf? Not yet. Mark 111 and Mark 1V 1992 and 1998 respectively saw the Golf slipping away. However the die-hard fans were not giving up with over 4 million sold for each model.
It was in 2004 that the Mark V made its UK debut and the comeback was tremendous. Back came the driving dynamics seen on the Mark 1. Back came the stylish sophistication seen on mark 11. The VW Golf quite rightly took centre stage once more.
So will the Mark V1 Golf upstage the outgoing Mark V? Well, having just returned from Iceland where the International launch took place, I have to admit you will be hard pressed to find any external differences between the two. The designers have tried to take the best attributes from all the previous generations and mix them together with new designs to create the Mark V1. So, for instance, horizontal lines with new attractive headlights have replaced the vertical grille. A pronounced crease runs the entire length of the body that widens towards the new subtle restyled rear. Three new colours were shown at launch, Silver, Shark Blue and Graphite Grey - remember the old Anthracite grey colour? I am really showing my age here! On static display was a white Golf V1 which I have to admit, did look the business.
Three trims will be on offer to the UK market, S SE and GT with prices starting from £13,000 for the three door S rising to £21,000 for the GT five door model. Four petrol’s and two diesels will be at the heart of the new Golf V1 all boasting great fuel consumption and low CO2 emissions. Making its debut is the 2.0 litre TDI 110 PS that achieves an amazing 62.8-mpg on a combined cycle, while emitting just 119g/km of CO2. Performance I can assure you is no way hindered. Most of the engines are fitted with either a five or six speed manual transmission while on the diesels is either a six speed wet clutch DSG gearbox or if petrol, a seven speed dry clutch DSG.
The new design did not exactly blow me away. Then I sat inside the Golf V1. Here was an interior oozing with quality from the safe reassuring thud on closing the door to the stunning new layout of the instrument controls. Theses are now white backlit dials set in deep binnacles trimmed with aluminium. Sounds like a meal advert from M & S. Volkswagen expects the SE trim to be the most popular choice so I will focus of that model. The busy chunky height adjustable steering wheel has the optional remote controls for cruise control and audios from the eight-speaker stereo. The seats are clothed in plush upholstery and are fully adjustable while the thick pile carpets may not be the most practical but will sustain the test of time. Other standard equipment comprises of air conditioning, heated electric door mirrors, electric windows and a clever informative multi media display.
The cabin is a very quiet place to be in thanks to innovative noise suppression systems such as a new windscreen mounting system to reduce wind noise enhanced further by the re-shaped door mirrors, thicker window glass, refined aerodynamics and redesigned damping materials.
Switch on the engine and the new Golf V1 bursts into life. Even the 1.4 litre 80 PS is impressive taking just 9.2 second to reach 80km yet claiming 6.4 on a combined cycle 1/1000km. The ride and handling has been refined thanks to a new chassis or you can opt for another optional extra that of Adaptive Chassis Control (ACC) whereby the driver can choose between comfort, normal or sport setting depending on what mood they happen to be in. Another optional extra is the Automatic Distance Control (ADC) that makes it debut on the Golf which is a system not only designed to maintain an automatically preset speed but can vary the vehicle speed among other road users thus creating an acceptable gap. Having problems parking? Well opt for the ParkAssist and simply let the Golf steer automatically during reverse parallel parking manoeuvres into the gap. Failing that have the optional camera fitted cleverly disguised behind the VW badge. However with the electro mechanical speed dependant power steering, I would be surprised if these options are really necessary.
The new Golf V1 is also a very safe place to be in with seven airbags standard across the whole range including a drivers knee airbag. Volkswagen’s Whiplash Optimised Head restraints are fitted along with three point safety belts in the rear and three point safety belts in the front with height adjustment and belt tensioners. ESP is standard and along with comfort braking assistant, steering pulse, ABS, EDS and ASR should keep you all out of trouble. Aiding the driver is rain sensing wipers, automatic dimming rear mirror and automatic lights. Securing the Golf V1 is an engine immobiliser and central locking. NCAP ratings and insurance groups are TBA.
Ensuring the new Golf V1 is practical to appease young families as well as single drivers are numerous storage solutions in the roofline and doors, cup holders, an illuminated plus cooled glove box while in the centre console is a storage compartment with lid. All the shopping will easily fit into the generous 556 litres of boot space increasing to 1,044 if the rear seats are folded down.
Well, Rock on number six. Suburb driving dynamics, safe, economical and practical. Just be aware that whilst the initial price tag is tempting, keep a beady eye out for those optional extras that could escalate thus warranting a second mortgage.
Jackie Violet - Female First
How many cars can you think of that have stood the test of time for thirty-four years? Not many. The Ford Fiesta has come close celebrating thirty years but most cars as with aging rock bands, take centre stage for a while then fade away.
So for a car to continually be successful for all those years, it must have something very special. Iconic to start with, adding on a cult following and then having the ability to change with the times. Rather like Status Quo I suppose or Elton John. Just when you think they have lost the plot, back they come with another revamped song followed by another reunion tour.
That is exactly what has happened to the Volkswagen Golf. Mark 1 was born in 1974. This was such are revolutionary car in those days and became highly successful. Mark 11 arrived in 1984 bigger and better than its predecessors. Could any other manufacturer beat such exquisite engineering as seen in this Golf? Not yet. Mark 111 and Mark 1V 1992 and 1998 respectively saw the Golf slipping away. However the die-hard fans were not giving up with over 4 million sold for each model.
It was in 2004 that the Mark V made its UK debut and the comeback was tremendous. Back came the driving dynamics seen on the Mark 1. Back came the stylish sophistication seen on mark 11. The VW Golf quite rightly took centre stage once more.
So will the Mark V1 Golf upstage the outgoing Mark V? Well, having just returned from Iceland where the International launch took place, I have to admit you will be hard pressed to find any external differences between the two. The designers have tried to take the best attributes from all the previous generations and mix them together with new designs to create the Mark V1. So, for instance, horizontal lines with new attractive headlights have replaced the vertical grille. A pronounced crease runs the entire length of the body that widens towards the new subtle restyled rear. Three new colours were shown at launch, Silver, Shark Blue and Graphite Grey - remember the old Anthracite grey colour? I am really showing my age here! On static display was a white Golf V1 which I have to admit, did look the business.
Three trims will be on offer to the UK market, S SE and GT with prices starting from £13,000 for the three door S rising to £21,000 for the GT five door model. Four petrol’s and two diesels will be at the heart of the new Golf V1 all boasting great fuel consumption and low CO2 emissions. Making its debut is the 2.0 litre TDI 110 PS that achieves an amazing 62.8-mpg on a combined cycle, while emitting just 119g/km of CO2. Performance I can assure you is no way hindered. Most of the engines are fitted with either a five or six speed manual transmission while on the diesels is either a six speed wet clutch DSG gearbox or if petrol, a seven speed dry clutch DSG.
The new design did not exactly blow me away. Then I sat inside the Golf V1. Here was an interior oozing with quality from the safe reassuring thud on closing the door to the stunning new layout of the instrument controls. Theses are now white backlit dials set in deep binnacles trimmed with aluminium. Sounds like a meal advert from M & S. Volkswagen expects the SE trim to be the most popular choice so I will focus of that model. The busy chunky height adjustable steering wheel has the optional remote controls for cruise control and audios from the eight-speaker stereo. The seats are clothed in plush upholstery and are fully adjustable while the thick pile carpets may not be the most practical but will sustain the test of time. Other standard equipment comprises of air conditioning, heated electric door mirrors, electric windows and a clever informative multi media display.
The cabin is a very quiet place to be in thanks to innovative noise suppression systems such as a new windscreen mounting system to reduce wind noise enhanced further by the re-shaped door mirrors, thicker window glass, refined aerodynamics and redesigned damping materials.