New Volkswagen Golf

14 September 2008

Andrew Frankel - Times on Line

Sequels have a habit of disappointing. Show me someone who thinks the original Star Wars trilogy has been bettered by the latest instalment of George Lucas’s sci-fi fantasy, The Clone Wars, and I’ll show them to a padded cell.

So what about the latest Volkswagen Golf? As another of this year’s big sequels, it also promises to continue a story that famously started a long, long time ago. In fact, the very first Golf was launched in 1974, the same year that Lucas started writing Star Wars.

We are now into the sixth evolution of this middle-class alternative to the likes of the Ford Focus and Vauxhall Astra, and just like the sci-fi film, the newcomer has been given something of a makeover for the digital age.

A new, ultra-efficient engine, six-speed automatic gearbox and optional touchscreen control featured in the mid-range 2 litre TDI diesel model I drove, as did computer-controlled suspension and a function of the cruise control that scans the road ahead for slower traffic and maintains a safe distance accordingly.

Frankly, compared with the original Golf, the latest model might as well have come from another galaxy; but does that mean it has lost its charm?

Its styling is not as striking as it could be, and from a distance you would be hard-pushed to distinguish the old Golf from the new. There is a new crease running along the flank of the car, and a new front grille, though these changes are hardly ground-breaking.

It’s a slightly different story on the inside. VW is making a big deal of the revised interior, which gets more equipment, new-look materials and more luxurious seats. But star billing goes to the new instrument cluster, which has aluminium-trimmed black dials with stylish white, backlit lettering, while the steering wheel is given extra functionality, with new buttons to control the sound system and trip computer.

Twist the key, and the first pleasant surprise is the absence of uncouth diesel rattle and clatter — testament to VW’s efforts to make this Golf feel more refined and grown up.

The company has also worked to reduce the engine’s internal friction, and not only does this tangibly improve smoothness, it also lowers fuel consumption and emissions. The 138bhp 2 litre TDI returns almost 58mpg — 6mpg more than the previous model — while CO2 emissions are generously cut from 159g/km to 129g/km.

Fortunately, no performance is sacrificed in this quest for efficiency. The 2 litre TDI is a strong hauler and never feels short of pace, particularly when overtaking. Helping it in part is the latest version of the automated Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) — an optional extra on our test car, in place of the six-speed manual gearbox. It provides smooth, instant gearchanges via steering-wheel-mounted paddles, and its fully automatic shifting is more in tune than ever with the driver’s needs.

It all helps to improve the car’s poise and balance on winding, uneven roads. Even though the new Golf has a very similar chassis to that of the 2004 Golf Mk 5, it feels more solid on the road. This, coupled with Adaptive Chassis Control — which continuously, automatically optimises suspension damping — makes for smooth, quiet progress and insulates the driver well from harsh surfaces. However, as impressive as that may sound, some of VW’s efforts to completely cocoon the driver prove counter-productive. The steering, in particular, lacks feedback and precision.

It’s good to find extra safety equipment aboard the new Golf, including knee airbags for the driver. There is also a new head-restraint system designed to reduce whiplash injuries, and further reassurance comes with the latest electronic stability program driver aid.

However, the big question remains: is this all really sufficient to ensure this latest member of the Golf family fully meets the expectations of its army of fans? It’s certainly refined, and it feels well built. But the reliance on computers to control the suspension and steering has robbed the car of some of its dynamic appeal, and that’s a shame when you consider this car’s predecessor was one of the best “driver’s Golfs” ever launched.

Volkswagen anticipates a substantial price rise of £700 on comparable models of the outgoing Golf series (the current 2 litre TDI range starts at £18,610). That’s far from ideal, given the current economic climate, but the company argues that improvements to fuel efficiency, additional standard equipment and plentiful technical innovation justify the premium. Ultimately, buyers will vote with their feet.

This sequel may not have “blockbuster” written all over it, but it’s very unlikely to turn out to be a turkey.

VW GOLF 2.0 TDI SE

4 Stars

ENGINE 1968cc, four cylinders

POWER 138bhp @ 4200rpm

TORQUE 236lb ft @ 1750rpm

TRANSMISSION Six-speed automatic

FUEL / CO2 58mpg / 129g/km

ACCELERATION 0-62mph: 9.3sec

TOP SPEED 130mph

PRICE To be confirmed

TAX BAND C (£120 for 12 months)