Volkswagen Golf Mk5: Difference between revisions
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==Alternative propulsion == |
==Alternative propulsion == |
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A VW Golf TDI Hybrid concept was shown at the March [[2008]] [[Geneva motor show]].<ref>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/04/geneva-2008-volkswagen-golf-tdi-hybrid-concept/</ref> The concept vehicle shown had a 74 horsepower three-cylinder TDI engine - probably the 1.4-liter used in the [[VW Polo BlueMotion]] - mated to a 27-horsepower electric motor and a seven-speed double-clutch DSG transmission. The electric power syetem is a [[nickel-metal hydride]] battery in the boot, and a regenerative braking system. An "energy monitor" display on the dashboard keeps tabs on what the powertrain is doing, and provides both a stop/start capability and a full-electric mode at low speed. According to Germany's [[Auto Bild]], the car will get 69.9 mpg and emit 90 g/km of carbon dioxide, less than the 104 g/km emitted by the [[Toyota Prius]] and 116 emitted by the [[Honda Civic Hybrid]].<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://blog.wired.com/cars/2008/03/revealed-volksw.html|title=Revealed: Volkswagen's 69.9-MPG Diesel Hybrid|author=Squatriglia, Chuck|publisher=Wired.com|date=2008-03-03|accessdate=2008-05-24}}</ref> |
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VW Golf TDI Hybrid concept has been in Geneva autoshow <ref>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/04/geneva-2008-volkswagen-golf-tdi-hybrid-concept/</ref> |
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==Racing== |
==Racing== |
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Revision as of 20:05, 25 May 2008
Template:Globalize/US and Canada
The fifth generation Volkswagen Golf Mk5 (VW Typ 1K) was unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in October of 2003 and went on sale in Europe one month later. To commemorate this, Wolfsburg was renamed "Golfsburg" for a week. It reached North American markets in June 2006 rebadged with the revived Rabbit nameplate.[3] Most print ads for the Rabbit show the old badge (a running rabbit) with the phrase "It's back, at $14,990". TV ads show Rabbits chasing after each other with their numbers increasing until they fill the streets of a city, a take on the cliche "multiplying like rabbits". In North America, where SEAT and Škoda are not marketed, Volkswagen sought to revive their image on that continent as a value brand, and the pricing of the new Rabbit was a part of that strategy. The Mk5 is due to be replaced in 2009 by the Mk6 in Europe and the UK mainly caused by expensive production. The U.S. may expect to see the Mk6 by 2011.
Design and engineering
While the interior quality of the previous model startled rivals and led most of them to up their game in revised/replacement models, the astonishing chassis and all round ability of the Mk1 Ford Focus startled Volkswagen (and indeed other rivals). In order to counter criticisms of the average dynamics of the previous model, it is widely reputed that Volkswagen poached from Ford the engineering team[citation needed] who designed the multi-link control blade independent rear suspension system, widely the class benchmark for ride and handling. The suspension changes, along with careful tuning of the chassis, led to the Mk5 Golf delivering better road manners. However, this also sacrificed usable cargo space; despite this model's considerable increase in size over the outgoing model, its hatch volume is roughly 3 cubic feet less.
The bulletproof interior quality of the previous generation appears to have been lost, and although still of a very high standard and ahead of other rivals the Golf no longer matches its in-house rival, the Audi A3. Many believe the reason for this step back in quality, also seen in the Mk5 Passat of 2005, is to allow daylight between the marketing and price positioning of Audi and Volkswagen products. The previous generation Volkswagens were on a par with their Audi cousins.
Also gone in this iteration, versus the previous generation, is the distinctive Teutonic styling of the Golf. Many have likened this model's bland, overly-rounded styling to that of the previous model of the Honda Civic hatchback.
The Golf 5 has proven expensive to build - largely due to its uncommonly long 50-hour build time. Its replacement is scheduled to be rolled out in 2009 in Europe. Volkswagen is planning on debuting the Golf 6 at the Paris Motor Show in September 2008.
Awards
- 2008 Consumer Reports - Top Hatchback (Rabbit)
- 2008 Car and Driver - Top Ten Urban Vehicle (Rabbit)
- 2008 Automobile Magazine - Among All Stars (GTI)
- 2008 Car and Driver - Among Ten Best of the Year (GTI)
- 2007 Car and Driver - Among Ten Best of the Year (GTI)
- 2007 Automobile Magazine - Car of the Year (GTI)
- 2006 Drive - Best Performance Car under $60k AUS (GTI)
- 2006 Australia's Best Cars - Best Sports Car (GTI)
- 2005 Australia's Best Cars - Best Sports Car (GTI)
- 2005 Auto Express - Best Hot Hatch (Golf GTI)
- 2005 Auto Express - Best Sporting Car (Golf GTI)
- 2004 WhatCar? Car of the Year
- 2004 WhatCar? Best Small Family Car
- 2004 Winner - AutoExpress New Car Honours
- 2004 Fifth Gear - Car of the Year (GTI)
- 2004 BBC Top Gear - Car of the Year (GTI)
Engines
Options for engines and transmissions vary from country to country, but the Golf is available with a gasoline 4-cylinder and a new PD diesel unit-injector TDI engine. Transmission options include manual, automatic, Tiptronic, and direct-shift gearbox (DSG).
North American-spec Rabbits use the same Template:Auto hp 2.5L five-cylinder gasoline engine that powers the Jetta and New Beetle in these markets (however, for 2008 this engine receives a power increase of Template:Auto hp and Template:Auto ft.lbf of torque, bringing the numbers to 170 and 177, respectively). The GTI comes with VW's 4-cylinder 2.0L Turbo FSI which makes Template:Auto hp and 207 lb/torque. North American transmission choices include a 5-speed manual or 6-speed automatic with Tiptronic for the Rabbit. North American GTIs receive a 6-Speed manual or 6-speed DSG. Diesel engines have been unavailable on Rabbits, though they were offered through 2006 on the Jetta until tightening emissions regulations in the U.S. led to their temporary unavailability.
All of the Golf's engines, including the VR6, have the engine mounting points in the same place, making it possible to remove one engine and replace it with another while making few other modifications to the car.
In September 2005, the Golf Mk5 GT was announced, which featured a choice of either 1.4 L petrol engine in twincharger (TSI) configuration, or a 2.0 liter Turbo Diesel. Both are available as 125 kW (170 PS, 168 bhp) versions; while the diesel also is available as a 140 PS variant in the UK. The 170 PS diesel has 350 Nm (258 ft·lbf) of torque which is more than the range topping R32. The gasoline offering contains the new TSI engine, which is based on the recent FSI, but with a pair of chargers forcing the induction of the air. The chargers are a single supercharger that disengages after a specified rev-range, at which point charging of the air is handled by a single turbocharger. This system could benefit from both of the efficiency of the supercharger in the lower rev ranges, with the longevity of the turbocharger higher in the rev range. This results in no turbo lag, constant power delivery along the rev range, and better fuel efficiency than similarly powered V6 2.4 L due to its small size. Both petrol and diesel versions are also available with DSG (direct-shift gearbox). Performance figures for the petrol vehicle are 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 7.9s (6 speed) and 7.7s (DSG) with the diesel taking 8.2s, and both reaching top speed of 220 km/h (137 mph). Volkswagen has no plans to sell it as the Rabbit GT in the US and Canada.
Mk5 Jetta
A booted/trunked version of the Mk5 Golf was spawned in 2004 and, as with previous incarnations of the Golf, it maintained its own identity, a practice long abandoned by most rivals. While the Jetta name has always remained in North America, the name made a return to Europe replacing the "Bora" name of the previous Golf saloon. The Jetta name was also introduced to Australia with the Mk5, the Mk4 Bora being a slow seller there.
As with its predecessor the Mk5 Jetta features unique front wings, front doors and rear doors, so the only external panel shared with the Golf is the bonnet. As with all Golf-based saloons, the Jetta features a unique grille which is only shared with the contemporary Golf R32 (although the GLI variant has the Golf GTI's front end). Unlike all previous saloon variants however, the front lights were now shared with the Golf.
Because of the preference for sedans in the US market, the Jetta outsells the Golf by a ratio of 4 to 1.[4]
Golf Mk5 Variant
The third generation of the Golf Variant, a Golf estate car, was presented in a world premiere at the International Geneva Motor Show (March 8 to 18 2007). It is to be sold in the North American markets as the Jetta Sportwagen.
Golf Plus
In December 2004, Volkswagen announced the Golf Plus variant of the Golf 5. It is 9.5 cm taller than the standard Golf, but 15 cm shorter than the other compact MPV of the marque, the seven-seater Touran. The Golf Plus would replace the Variant station wagon in the Golf lineup, although a Mk5 Golf Variant was revealed in 2007.
There will be no convertible version of the Golf 5, as the Eos coupé convertible (introduced in Spring 2006) will be marketed as a separate model and the New Beetle convertible makes a droptop Golf redundant. The Eos does not share body panels with any other Volkswagen model, although it is based on the Jetta/Golf platform.
At the 2006 Paris Motor Show Volkswagen released the new CrossGolf compact MPV, which is essentially an off-road version of the Golf Plus. It was developed by VW Individual brand which developed the Golf R32 and CrossPolo. The CrossGolf is only available in front-wheel drive configuration (like the CrossPolo) and is powered by two petrol engines 1.6 & 1.4 TSI and two Diesel engines, 1.9 TDI & 2.0 TDI with output ranging from 75 kW / 102 PS to 103 kW / 140 PS. In the UK this model is badged as "Golf Plus Dune" and sold with the 1.9 TDI outputting 77kW / 105 PS.
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Golf Plus 2004-Present -
Golf Plus (rear view) 2004-Present -
CrossGolf 2006-Present
Performance models
Mk V GTI
The Golf 5 GTI is hailed as a return-to-form for the progenitor of the genre. The Golf GTI features a 2.0 litre turbocharged inline 4-cylinder engine with FSI (Fuel Stratified Injection) direct-injection technology, which produces Template:Auto bhp. It is available in both 3-door and 5-door hatchback body shapes, and comes with a choice of either 6-speed manual or a 6-speed DSG gearbox which greatly reduces shift time to only 8ms.[1]
The concept GTI was first shown to the public at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2003. The first production model was initially unveiled at the Mondial de l'Automobile in Paris in September 2004 and went on sale around the world shortly thereafter. At the Los Angeles Auto Show in January 2006 the GTI made its long awaited North American debut in 3-door guise (a 5-door variant has since become available), where it is marketed solely under the 'GTI' moniker, with no reference to the Rabbit. The new GTI has a considerable price increase over the previous model, mainly due to the features mentioned above and the fact that the exterior itself had not seen such a dramatic design change in years. The price is further raised due to the fact that it is built in Germany, unlike the Mk4 which was built in Brazil. The innovative DSG transmission and the Template:Auto bhp engine all helped raise the retail price of the car. The MkV GTI named Automobile of the Year by Automobile Magazine, in December 2006.
The initial American ad campaign for the GTI featured the "fast", which Volkswagen says is the feeling and force inside you that likes driving and encourages your driving passion, with the tagline "Make friends with your fast". However, recently those ads were replaced with a series of ads starring Peter Stormare as a "German engineer" hired to "un-pimp ze auto" by taking tuner cars and smashing them, giving their owners a GTI instead. The slogan for the campaign is "Pre-tuned by German engineers", however it has been Stormare's lines of "VDub: representing Deutschland!" and "V-Dub: German, engineering, in da haus!", delivered with a stilted German accent and coupled with a "VDub" hand motion, that have popularised the ads.
Mk V R32
_R32_4MOTION_5-door_hatchback_(2006-08-06).jpg)
In late September 2005, the Mark 5 R32 went on sale in Europe. It features an updated 3.2-litre unit than of that fitted to the previous version, with an extra Template:Auto bhp courtesy of a reworked inlet manifold. Maximum power is now Template:Auto bhp at 6,300 rpm; torque is unchanged at Template:Auto ft.lbf but comes in 300 rpm lower down the rev range. It reaches an electronically-governed top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph). Going from 0 to 100 km/h will take 6.5 s, reduced to 5.8 s with the direct-shift gearbox.
Compared with the previous Mk4 R32 that is 0.1 seconds faster for the manual version while the newer R32 is about 40 kg heavier. As with the previous R32; there is 4MOTION part-time four-wheel drive through 18" Zolder 20-spoke alloy wheels. Stopping the R32 comes in the form of blue-painted brake callipers with 345 mm discs at the front and 310 mm disks at the rear. The Mk V R32 was released in the US in August '07 with a starting MSRP of $32,990.
GTI Edition 30
Following Volkswagen's successful 20th anniversary edition GTI (1996 in Europe and 2003 for the USA & Canadian market), the 25th anniversary GTI (in 2001 for Europe only) models. Volkswagen marked the GTI's 30th anniversary by producing the Edition 30.
Going on sale in November 2006 from £22,295 RRP with a limited production run of only 1500 (Europe models), the Edition 30 was available in 6 colours; Tornado Red, Black, Candy White, Reflex Silver (Metallic), Steel Grey (Metallic) and finally Diamond Black (Pearl). The changes over the standard production model included a modified engine that produced an extra Template:Auto bhp more than the standard Template:Auto bhp version, raising the output to Template:Auto bhp, giving rumour that it was faster in the dry and more powerful than the R32. Slight changes to the body work included body coloured side skirts and Votex front spoiler, colour-keyed rear bumper and tinted rear lights. Changes to the interior included a return for the golf ball shaped gear knob and silver "Edition 30" logo'd sill plates. Edition 30 seats were also decked out in the distinctive red stitching on the 'Vienna' leather and 'Interlagos' fabric mix. Red stitching was also added to the leather-covered steering wheel. Finally, dependent on the market and the options available the Edition 30 was available with 18-inch (460 mm) BBS originated 'Pescara' alloy wheels or black versions of the 18-inch (460 mm) 'Monza II' alloy wheels.[2] Performance was marginally improved: with 0-62 mph coming at 6.8 seconds (6.6 seconds for DSG-equipped models) and a top speed of 150 mph (240 km/h).[3]
Fahrenheit Edition
In October 2006, Volkswagen debuted a new Fahrenheit Edition of their GTI and GLI models at the Playboy Mansion. These new models are the first special-edition versions of the GTI and GLI made available in North America, and the first of the new models arrived in dealers in the early March of 2007.
Fahrenheit models of the GTI are distinguished by their Lamborghini Gallardo Orange paint job, special Fahrenheit badging, a commemorative plate placed on the steering wheel, body-coloured interior panels, orange stitching on the DSG boot, steering wheel, park brake handle, and floor mats in which the red GTI logo has been removed, as well as special 18-inch (460 mm) "Charleston" wheels that are gunmetal in colour. The Fahrenheit also comes with a European tuned suspension. The Fahrenheit GTI will only be available with Volkswagen's DSG transmission. Only 1200 Fahrenheit models will be produced for the US (150 in Canada) in the form of the GTI (1200 more for the GLI). The GLI will not be available in Canada. Pricing starts at $27,665 in the United States.
Speed Edition
Pirelli Edition
GTI W12-650
Volkswagen unveiled the W12-650 at the GTI Festival in Wörthersee, Austria, in May 2007. It was designed as a concept car and only one is known to be in existence. Unlike most concept cars it is mechanically functional to the extent that it can be driven, however, due to the rushed build time of the car not all of its features are fully-functioning. The steering-wheel mounted paddle-shifters are not linked to the transmission, the emergency indicators are not functioning, and the heating and air-conditioning system of the car is not functioning due to the dashboard controls never being linked to the unit.
The car features a 6.0L W12 bi-turbo engine delivering 480 kW (650PS, 641hp), 720 Nm (533 ft·lbf) of torque, 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 3.7 seconds and a top speed of 320 km/h (201mph)[4]. Physically, the W12 differs from the standard GTI. It is 70mm lower and 160mm wider, the rear seats have been removed to accommodate the mid-engine design and the roof is made from carbon-fibre. The W12-650 achieved a time of 1:29.6 on BBC Top Gear’s Power Lap feature.
Alternative propulsion
A VW Golf TDI Hybrid concept was shown at the March 2008 Geneva motor show.[5] The concept vehicle shown had a 74 horsepower three-cylinder TDI engine - probably the 1.4-liter used in the VW Polo BlueMotion - mated to a 27-horsepower electric motor and a seven-speed double-clutch DSG transmission. The electric power syetem is a nickel-metal hydride battery in the boot, and a regenerative braking system. An "energy monitor" display on the dashboard keeps tabs on what the powertrain is doing, and provides both a stop/start capability and a full-electric mode at low speed. According to Germany's Auto Bild, the car will get 69.9 mpg and emit 90 g/km of carbon dioxide, less than the 104 g/km emitted by the Toyota Prius and 116 emitted by the Honda Civic Hybrid.[6]
Racing
A GTI is currently used in the KONI Challenge Series.
Safety
In Australia, 1982-2004 Volkswagen Golfs were assessed in the Used Car Safety Ratings 2006.
- (1982-1994) - "worse than average" level of occupant protection
- (1995-1998) - "average"
- (1999-2004) - "significantly better than average"
In 2004 the Mk V received a 5-star Euro NCAP rating. [7]
Notes
- In Mexico the only Mk5 for sale is the three door Mk5 GTI.
See also
References
- ^ "Volkswagen makes way for DSG". Paul Tan. Retrieved 2006-08-11.
- ^ Pescara and Monza are labelled 'Rockingham' and 'Detroit' respectively in the German market, Volkswagen Deutschland, Volkswagen Golf GTi Edition 30 page, [1], accessed November 24, 2007
- ^ Volkswagen manufacturer figures, Volkswagen UK, Volkswagen Golf GTi Edition 30 page [2], accessed 24 Nov 07
- ^ "Volkswagen Golf GTI W12 Set To Make UK Debut".
- ^ http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/04/geneva-2008-volkswagen-golf-tdi-hybrid-concept/
- ^ Squatriglia, Chuck (2008-03-03). "Revealed: Volkswagen's 69.9-MPG Diesel Hybrid". Wired.com. Retrieved 2008-05-24.
- ^ Page at the Euro NCAP website
External links
- Golf at Volkswagen International
- GolfMKV.com Biggest GTI/Golf/Rabbit Enthusiast Site
- VW GTI VW GTI
- VW Golf V5 VW Golf V5 Information & Owners Forum
- VW Rabbit VW Rabbit Owners
- VW GTI History of the GTI
- GolfGTIforum UK Golf GTI forum, Mk5 section