New body kits are available for performance Golfs, making them even more aggressive.

• Oettinger unveils body kits for Performance Golf models
• Includes exhaust and muffler for enhanced engine noise
• Kits are available to order now from £3,995 (RRP)

Volkswagen’s Performance Golf line-up includes the powerful GTD, the iconic GTI and the peerless R.  This trio thrills and entertains drivers worldwide, and springs from Volkswagen’s engineering knowledge and driver-focused research and development.

The striking proportions of the Performance Golfs’ exterior design combines with the precision handling of the models to place this trio at the forefront of the Golf range.  

Now Oettinger is offering the option of adding individual style to the mix via a new body kit, which also comes with a revised silencer.

The stainless steel exhaust system is a quad set-up, which means the GTD gains exhaust tailpipes on the right of the car, while the GTI increases its number of tailpipes from two to four.  The R, meanwhile, receives honed quad tailpipes.  For all models, the exhaust tailpipe is 84 mm in diameter.  In addition, the Oettinger muffler alters the exhaust note to produce an even more sporty sound.  The R goes a step further, with the addition of honed quad tailpipes.

Complementing the quad exhaust system is a purposeful rear diffuser.  This offers enhanced aerodynamic ability, and the styling of the diffuser aligns perfectly with the look of Oettinger’s side skirts.  Above the diffuser is a new rear roof spoiler which incorporates open flaps and, thus, underlines the powerful appearance that the Oettinger body kit brings to the trio of potent Golfs.

At the front, the Oettinger kit adds a new spoiler and bespoke splitter.  These elements guide air under the car effectively, and align perfectly with the carefully tuned aerodynamics of the Performance Golfs.  The Oettinger body kit has been perfected in wind tunnels to make sure it reaches the highest quality levels demanded by Volkswagen.

Oettinger’s experience in working with Volkswagen stretches back more than 70 years, when Gerhard Oettinger took a Beetle into the world of rallying.  Later, he upped the power of his Golf Mk I from 70 PS to 75 PS.  When the Golf GTI Mk I was unveiled in 1976 Oettinger got to work again, this time with a focus on engine tuning.  He continued to develop Volkswagen cars until his death in 1997. From its base in Friedrichsdorf, near Frankfurt, the Oettinger company continues with the same passion and dedication that its founder imparted into his projects.

The Oettinger body kit is available now at Volkswagen Retailers throughout the UK and costs £3,995 (RRP) for the GTD and GTI versions, and £5,225 (RRP) for the Golf R.  This includes VAT, painting and fitting.

Volkswagen UK opens the order books for the new Golf VII estate, AllTrack, Golf 'R' and GTD models

UK order books have opened for Volkswagen’s trio of hot Golf Estates – the Golf R and GTD Estates and the Golf Alltrack – ahead of first deliveries in August.  The R and GTD Estates boast all the attributes of their popular hatchback counterparts, with like for like trims, but bootspace is increased from 380 litres to 605 litres – and up to 1,620 litres when the rear seats are folded flat.  

Power outputs range from 110 PS in Alltrack which is available with three engines, through 184 PS in the GTD to 300 PS in the range-topping R model.  The Alltrack and the R Estate also gain 4MOTION four-wheel drive.

Like the Golf R hatch, the Golf R Estate is powered by a 2.0-litre (1,984 cc) four-cylinder turbocharged TSI petrol engine. Maximum power is 300 PS from 5,500 to 6,200 rpm while maximum torque of 380 Nm (280 lbs ft) is available from 1,800 up to 5,500 rpm.  

In this new car, standstill to 50 mph takes just 3.8 seconds, and to 62 mph 5.1 seconds; top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph.  Style and spec-wise, the Golf R Estate follows all the cues of its hatchback sibling, though the Estate is only available with a six-speed DSG gearbox.

The Golf GTD Estate is, quite simply, a booted version of Volkswagen’s iconic long-distance sports cruiser.  The new estate model has at its heart a 2.0-litre (1,968 cc) common rail TDI engine which produces 184 PS from 3,500 to 4,000 rpm. Maximum torque is 280 Nm (380 lbs ft) from 2,500 to 5,000 rpm.  

The benchmark 0 to 62 mph sprint takes 7.9 seconds, with a top speed of 143 mph.  Yet the Golf GTD Estate lives up to its benchmark economy, returning 64.2 mpg on the combined cycle, with CO₂ emissions of just 115 g/km.  A six-speed manual gearbox is standard, while a six-speed DSG version is available for a premium of £1,415.

The Golf Alltrack follows in the footsteps of the Passat Alltrack which first went on sale in the UK in 2012 and closes the gap between the on- and off-road worlds, both visually and technically.  

It features a standard 4MOTION all-wheel drive system, off-road driving profile, higher ground clearance (up to 20 mm), and is styled to match its off-road credentials with flared wheelarches and side sills for added protection, as well as newly designed bumpers.  

Three engines are available for UK customers and all are familiar from the Golf range. These comprise a 1.6-litre TDI 110 PS (iteration of engine used in Golf BlueMotion), 2.0-litre TDI 150 PS and 2.0-litre TDI 184 PS (available with DSG gearbox only).

First ever Golf GTD Estate to be unveiled at Geneva Motor Show in March.

• First ever Golf GTD Estate to be unveiled at Geneva Motor Show in March
• Like the iconic diesel hatch, GTD Estate features 2.0-litre 184 PS TDI engine
• Combines sporting performance with combined fuel economy of over 64 mpg*
• Sporty design cues inside and out match those on GTD hatchback

Since 1982 Volkswagen's GTD logo has stood for Gran Turismo Diesel, with its promise of sporty yet economical motoring.  Now for the first time, the GTD initials grace the Golf Estate, which like the Golf GTD, boasts the 184 PS engine.  The new model is set to make its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March.

The Golf GTD Estate is well placed to establish itself as an iconic long-distance cruiser.  The 184 PS TDI engine takes the Golf GTD Estate to 62 mph in just 7.9 seconds with the 2.0-litre unit delivering a maximum torque of 380 Nm – and yet this sporty Estate car boasts an impressive combined fuel consumption figure of 64.2 mpg*.

 VW Golf GTD Estate

Other VW Golf Estates

The car’s sporty character is reflected in its exterior design: along with special GTD bumpers and the honeycomb radiator grille, the Golf GTD Estate also features smoked rear lights and flared sills.  The look is completed by 17-inch Curitiba alloys, black roof rails and dual chrome tailpipes. 

Also standard on-board the Golf GTD Estate are bi-xenon headlights, sports suspension with ride height lowered by 15 mm, and progressive steering, which gives a sharper response during high-performance driving as well as ensuring greater comfort in ordinary conditions.

Inside, the dynamic theme continues, with sports seats in Clark tartan, illuminated door sills, black headliner and black pillar trims.  Added to this, there are numerous decorative inserts and panels in Checkered Black, plus stainless steel pedal caps.  Further refinements include the multifunction steering wheel with aluminium trim and the gear knob styled as a golf ball.

The Golf GTD Estate is also available with 18-inch Nogaro alloy wheels and seat covers in a choice of Alcantara or Vienna leather.  Optional extras include a Sports and Design package featuring driving mode selection, Nogaro 18-inch alloy wheels, red brake callipers and tinted windows.

The Golf GTD Estate is expected to go on sale in the UK in April, with first deliveries in June. UK pricing and specification will be confirmed closer to launch.

Happy Birthday VW Golf, 40 years and 30 million units, and still the best.

Volkswagen is celebrating the 40^th birthday of the most successful European car of all time: the Golf. More than 30 million vehicles of the best-seller have been sold and from the first to the seventh generation, the Golf has been a pioneer of technological progress.

Whether turbocharged engine, direct-injection engine, electric or plug-in hybrid drive system; whether ABS, ESC, XDS or 4MOTION; whether Adaptive Cruise Control, City Emergency Braking, trailer stabilisation or Automatic Post-Collision Braking System; whether automatic air conditioning, Dynaudio sound system, touchscreen with proximity sensor or LED headlights; whether GTI, GTD or GTE – it was always the Golf through which the most important technologies and trends of our time were democratised.

Golf Mk I: The first series production Golf rolled off the assembly line in Wolfsburg on 29 March 1974.  Where for decades the Beetle and thus rear-mounted engines and rear-wheel drive had dominated the scene, a new era had now dawned: that of the transversely mounted front engine and front-wheel drive.

As the successor to the legendary Beetle, of which over 21.5 million units were built, the Golf Mk I, designed by Giorgio Giugiaro and Volkswagen Design, had to live up to the immense expectations that it would carry on the success story of what until then was the world’s most successful car.  It worked: the modern and reliable drive concept, the excellent spatial economy and ultimately the design as well, won over the market to such an extent that by October 1976 the one-millionth Golf had been produced.

In launching the first Golf GTI (in 1976), Volkswagen heralded the introduction of greater dynamism in this class, while the Golf D (naturally aspirated diesel engine, 1976) and the later Golf GTD (turbodiesel, 1982) marked the breakthrough for diesel cars in the compact segment.  With the Golf Cabriolet, introduced in 1979, Volkswagen launched an open-top car that was at times the best-selling cabrio in the world.

Golf Mk II: As of August 1983, passengers no longer sat quite so close to each other, as use of space have been improved once more.  It was then on the Golf that the regulated catalytic converter was introduced (1984), anti-lock braking system (ABS, 1986) and power-steering to the lower medium class.  In 1986, syncro was introduced, opening up the option of all-wheel drive in the Golf class.

Golf Mk III: With the launch of the third generation Golf in August 1991, Volkswagen heralded a new era of safety.  This Golf was the first of the series to have front airbags, starting in 1992, while major advances in the area of car body construction also resulted in significantly improved crash safety.  In addition, numerous other technological milestones of the model range are linked to the third Golf.  Many new features made their debut in this new Golf: the first six cylinder engine (VR6), cruise control, oxidation catalytic converter for diesel engines (1991) and the first direct injection diesel engines (TDI in 1993).  Likewise, ABS became a standard feature on all Golf models in 1996.  In 1993, Volkswagen had also introduced a new convertible based on the Golf Mk III, a new all-wheel drive model (syncro II) and the first Golf Variant (an estate).

Golf Mk IV: Under the direction of Hartmut Warkuß, then Head of Design at Volkswagen (Group), the Golf Mk IV crystallised the clear, precise design that lived up to the history of the Volkswagen brand more than ever before while setting its course to the future.  With the debut of ESC (in 1998), the car continued to democratise safety.  Also in 1998, Volkswagen unveiled the first all-wheel-drive Golf with a Haldex clutch – the Golf 4MOTION.  One year later, ESC became a standard feature, initially in Germany.  

 

The first direct-injection engine (FSI) and the debut of the standard head airbag (window airbags) followed in 2002.  Also in 2002, Volkswagen launched the R32, with a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph).  It was this top model of the range that in 2003 was the first to debut with the revolutionary dual-clutch gearbox (DSG).

Golf Mk V: This was the Golf that boasted levels of comfort and dynamic performance that left many competitors way behind in 2003.  The same went for the car’s security features.  One factor that underlines the stability of the laser-welded bodywork was the 35 per cent increase in torsional rigidity demonstrated when the Golf Mk V made its debut in 2003.  On request, the Golf was now also available for the first time with side airbags – together with the six standard airbags (front, side front and window) there were thus eight protective air buffers on board.  In comfort as well as dynamic performance, the Golf Mk V scored in numerous areas, including: its new four-link rear suspension, seven-speed DSG, bi-xenon headlights, panoramic sliding sunroof, plus the world’s first twincharger (in the 2006 TSI), combining turbo- and supercharger.  In 2006, the Golf Plus made its debut; in 2007, the CrossGolf, a new Estate and the extremely fuel-efficient Golf BlueMotion (4.5 l/100 km or 62.8 mpg).

Golf Mk VI:  In just four years, a further 2.85 million Golf cars had been produced by the end of July 2012, based on the sixth generation of the car launched in 2008.  And once again safety made great advances too: the car body was so rugged that it passed the EuroNCAP crash test with flying colours, gaining the maximum five stars.  Meanwhile, more TSI engines and a transition among the turbodiesel engines (TDI) from unit injection to the common rail system resulted in greater dynamic performance and lower fuel consumption.  A top performer here was the second Golf BlueMotion with a combined fuel consumption of just 3.8 l/100 km (74.3 mpg), equivalent to 99 g/km of CO₂.  New assistance systems, such as Light Assist automatic main beam management and Park Assist, made the sixth generation the most advanced Golf to date.  

Golf Mk VII: On 4 September 2012, Volkswagen celebrated the world premiere of the seventh generation Golf.  The weight of the new Golf was reduced by up to 100 kg, thereby reversing the often cited upward weight spiral.  

Fuel economy was hence also improved by up to 23 per cent. The new Golf TDI BlueMotion consumes only 3.2 l/100 km (88.3 mpg) (equivalent to 85 g/km of CO₂) under standard NEDC conditions.  In addition, Volkswagen has equipped the Golf with an entire armada of new assistance systems – some as options and others as standard.  In 2014, Volkswagen electrifies the compact class with the Golf: the all-electric e-Golf with a range of around 190 kilometres is already available to buy.  In addition, the new Golf GTE will be launched in autumn.  Its plug-in hybrid drive system achieves a standard fuel consumption of 1.5 l/100 km; in all-electric mode, the Golf GTE can be driven for 50 kilometres.

The Golf is the most successful model ever built by Volkswagen.  In the summer of 2013 the 30 millionth Golf was built.

Congratulations to Volkswagen........

► Europe’s best-selling car is also a big global success
► Four overall titles in five years: Volkswagen model again voted world’s best car

The new Golf just keeps on winning: an international expert jury today named the bestseller from Wolfsburg ‘World Car of the Year 2013’.  The globally sought-after prize was awarded at the New York International Auto Show.  The ‘World Car of the Year’ title is a further milestone in the growing list of awards for the Golf.

Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft, explained: ‘We at Volkswagen are all delighted that the Golf has been named ‘World Car of the Year’.  To win this award again shows that the Golf is and remains in a class of its own all around the world.  This car sets new benchmarks again and again, not least in terms of efficiency and environmental credentials. Soon, for instance, the Golf will also be launched as a plug-in hybrid and as a 100% electric car.’

For over 30 years, the Golf has been an established feature of the motoring scene around the globe.  For the seventh generation of the bestseller today’s prize represented its 17th award since being launched in November 2012.  In giving their reasons for the award, the jury said: ‘The Golf is just the right size – it’s spacious, practical and comfortable.  It has a fresh, progressive design, a new range of engines, plus an impressive list of equipment and safety systems.  If there is a car for everyone, the Golf is it.’

It was only three weeks ago that the compact car from Wolfsburg was crowned European Car of the Year.  Further accolades from home and abroad, such as ‘The Best Cars of 2013’, ‘Auto Trophy 2012’ and the ‘Top Gear – All the car you’ll ever need’ award, round off the list of successes.

The ‘World Car of the Year’ jury consists of 66 motoring journalists from 23 countries, who rate new cars appearing on the world market not only for the award, but also in their daily reporting work for millions of drivers and car enthusiasts.  Volkswagen has for a long time been a firm fixture in the ‘World Car of the Year’ awards: the model before the current Golf for instance, won the renowned prize back in 2009.  In 2012, the cherished international trophy went to the company’s smallest car, the up!.  And 2010 was also dominated by Volkswagen: the Polo was crowned overall winner and the BlueMotion models of the Polo, Golf and Passat took the title ‘World Green Car of the Year’.

Over the coming months, further models will be added to the Golf range: the Golf GTI and Golf GTD, two sportier versions, are being launched in the spring.  From the middle of April customers will also be able to order the new, dynamic and spacious Golf Estate.  Following this in the second half of the year comes the new Golf TDI BlueMotion, which sets new standards in terms of fuel consumption and environmental compatibility.

Diesel Golf heads to Geneva and readying itself for launch.

Some 30 years after the original model introduced European car drivers to an intoxicating blend of practicality, high performance and abstemiousness, Volkswagen is readying the latest Golf GTD, which is set to make its debut at the Geneva Motor Show next month.

Back in 1982, the first Golf GTD was revolutionary, being a compact hatchback with sporty tuning, the style of the Golf GTI and low diesel running costs.  The new GTD, based on the seventh generation Golf, is the most powerful ever, and like the original it blends performance with fuel-efficiency to make it a great long-distance touring car.  

With a six-speed manual gearbox, the Golf GTD, powered by a 2.0-litre common rail turbodiesel producing 184 PS and 380 Nm of torque from 1,750 rpm, consumes just one gallon of fuel every 67.3 miles, making for CO₂ emissions of only 109 g/km.  With the optional six-speed DSG, fuel consumption is 60.1 mpg (three-door: 119 g/km CO₂; five-door: 122 g/km CO₂).  Acceleration from zero to 62 mph takes just 7.5 seconds, while the top speed is 142 mph.

The Golf GTD comes with smoked LED rear lights with LED licence plate illumination, along with chrome dual tailpipes, 17-inch alloy wheels with 225/45 tyres, side skirts, a rear diffuser, sports suspension and a large roof spoiler.

Distinctive GTD features distinguish the interior: along with tartan sports seats, a black rooflining, sports steering wheel, stainless steel pedals, there is also a GTD-specific gear lever, trim strips and instrument cluster.  Comfort is guaranteed thanks to features including progressive steering, white ambience lighting, ‘Climatronic’ climate control, front and rear parking sensors and a winter pack.  

The new Golf GTD is available in Germany at an entry-level price of 29,350 euros, and orders begin on 5 March.  UK sales are expected to start in April, with deliveries in the summer.  Pricing and specification is yet to be confirmed.

Golf GTD – key facts

• Market launch in Europe starting June 2013
• Front transverse engine, 1,968 cc
• Bore/stroke: 81.0/95.5 mm; compression ratio 15.8:1
• Power: 135 kW / 184 PS at 3,500 to 4,000 rpm
• Torque: 380 Nm (280 lbs ft) at 1,750 to 3,250 rpm
• Gearbox / drive: Six-speed manual; optional six-speed DSG / front-wheel drive
• Fuel consumption / CO₂ (manual): 67.3 mpg (4.2 l/100 km); 109 g/km CO₂
• 0-62 mph 7.5 sec; top speed 142 mph (230 km/h)
• Unladen weight: 1,377 kg (incl. driver [68 kg], luggage [7 kg] and 90% filled fuel tank; calculated according to 92/21/EEC

Fuel consumption and emissions figures are preliminary and subject to confirmation.