Your video, "The 7th generation of the VW Golf aims to please"
will start after this message from our sponsors.

Loading video...

Roadshow Video Reviews

The 7th generation of the VW Golf aims to please

VW unveiled its seventh generation of the popular Golf at the 2012 Paris Motor Show. CNET's Antuan Goodwin gave us a sneak peek at the new sporty engine choices and some state-of-the-art cabin tech.

September 28, 2012

Transcript

What's up guys? This is Antuan Goodwin at CNET.com. On the floor at the 2012 Paris Auto Show, and we've got the 7th Generation Volkswagen Golf behind me here. Now, there's not of ton of changes on the exterior, you'd have to be a golfer [unk] to really sort of notice the small differences in the headlights and the bumpers and whatnot. But underneath the surface, there's a whole new vehicle. It's built on VW's new MBQ platform, that's the modular traverse matrix. Don't ask me how that translates in German. It's their new front-wheel drive platform that's gonna underpin most of the new front-wheel drive vehicles from VW say Audi, Skoda, etc. Through a lot more use of high-end ultra thin file steel, VW has actually managed to get the weight of the golf down by 220 lbs. over the last generation. And while it's done that, it also managed to stretch it by about 2 inches and some change, so it's lighter and bigger that translates into a little bit more elbow room on the inside particularly in the backseat where they've managed to free up about half an inch of shoulder space. So you've actually got a couple of different options in the engine bay. We've only really got specs on the European models right now. The top of that line is gonna be a 1.4 liter TSI engine that's got turbo charging technology. It opens about 140 horsepower and gets you about 49 miles per gallon on the European test cycle. Now, the entry level there is a 105 horsepower 1.6 liter diesel engine that's gonna get you 62 miles per gallon on the European test cycle, that's your fuel sipper. And inside of the cabin, there are a couple of new technology options starting with the dashboard. All Volkswagen Golf of the 7th Generation are gonna come with a 5.8-inch color touchscreen for their basic infotainment package. But the new have also got an 8-inch color touchscreen, that's a lot larger that's gonna get you the premium navigation system. That's gonna come with a lot of the bells and whistles that we come to expect from our premium navigation systems but admittedly details are a little bit shady on whether or not we'll actually get that system here in the United States. Well, that's been the 7th Generation Volkswagen Golf on the floor at the 2012 Paris Auto Show. I'm Antuan Goodwin with CNET.com.

Latest videos

AutoComplete: Hundreds of Takata airbags rupture during safety tests

1:33 September 26, 2016

Renault-Nissan and Microsoft team up, and McLaren's first electric vehicle is a little on the small side.

Play video

Jaguar enters the world of Formula E

3:59 September 26, 2016

The all-electric world of Formula E has a new competitor in the form of British manufacturer Jaguar.

Play video

AutoComplete: Chevrolet unveils the all-new 2018 Equinox crossover

1:18 September 23, 2016

Tesla takes Michigan to court over sales ban, and Audi teases its new Q5 for the first time.

Play video

Tackling sand dunes in the 600-hp Roush F-150 SC

4:27 September 23, 2016

A supercharger, upgraded suspension and styling changes produce a truck that's a riot, both on- and off-road.

Play video

AutoComplete: Tesla's much-awaited v8.0 software is here, with lots of AutoPilot updates and good news for Fido

1:23 September 22, 2016

Michigan moves forward with self-driving-car and vehicle-hacking bills, and Audi saves the manuals.

Play video

Mazda's CX-5 is a car, not a gadget

4:47 September 21, 2016

We're stating the obvious, but what's great about the Mazda CX-5 is that it's just a really good car and not a tech-laden rolling gadget.

Play video

AutoComplete: McLaren denies rumored Apple takeover talks

1:39 September 21, 2016

Mini debuts the John Cooper Works Clubman, and Mercedes unveils the E-Class All Terrain.

Play video

AutoComplete: Chevrolet sets Bolt EV pricing at $37,495

1:33 September 20, 2016

The world's fastest Volkswagen Beetle, and Chinese hackers claim to remotely control a Tesla.

Play video