Volkswagen updates Mark 7 Golf

VOLKSWAGEN has lobbed specification for its updated Golf Mark 7.5 small car ahead of its arrival in Australian showrooms in July, bringing lightly updated styling, a small boost to standard equipment, and the deletion of the base 92TSI engine from the range.

All petrol-powered non-performance hatch and wagon variants are now powered by the 110kW/250Nm 1.4-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine, with the only other powerplants being the 110TDI 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder and the 132TSI 1.8-litre turbo-petrol four in the Alltrack high-riding wagon.

The range opens with the 110TSI hatch, which comes with a six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic and includes air-conditioning, cruise control, leather steering wheel, multi-function display, app-connect and Bluetooth, rearview camera, seven airbags, a limited-slip differential (LSD), LED daytime running lights and tail-lights, and for the first time as standard across the range, 16-inch alloy wheels and front assist with city emergency brake.

Next up is the 110TSI Trendline, which is available with a manual or DSG for the hatch, and DSG only for the wagon body style.

Additional equipment over the 110TSI includes automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, dimming rearview mirror, front and rear parking sensors, different 16-inch alloy wheels, lumbar adjustment for the front seats, and black roof rails and luggage partition net for the wagon.

Above the Trendline sits the 110TSI Comfortline, which is paired exclusively to the DSG in both hatch and wagon variants and adds dual-zone climate control, an 8.0-inch audio and navigation system, 17-inch alloy wheels, chrome highlights inside and out including the roof rails on the wagon, a storage drawer under the front passenger seat and a 12V outlet in the luggage compartment.

The highest spec regular Golf is the Highline, which is available with either a 110TSI petrol engine or 110TDI 110kW/340Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder mated solely to the DSG transmission.

Equipment in the Highline includes front fog-lights, Vienna leather upholstery and heated front seats, electronically adjustable driver’s seat with memory function and lumbar support, keyless entry and start, unique 17-inch alloy wheels, interior ambient lighting, LED headlights, colour multi-function display, and panoramic electric glass sunroof.

Optional packages include the driver assistance package for Trendline, Comfortline and Highline variants, which adds adaptive cruise control, lane assist, blind spot monitor, rear traffic alert, park assist, proactive occupant protection and driving profile selection.

The Comfortline and Highline can also be optioned with the infotainment package which gets the active info display borrowed from Audi’s virtual cockpit, a 9.2-inch sat-nav with gesture and voice control and 400W premium audio system.

Highline customers can visually enhance their Golf with the R-Line package, which includes R-Line styling tweaks inside and out, 18-inch Sebring alloy wheels, progressive steering, sports suspension and tinted rear and rear side window glass.

The high-riding Alltrack wagon variant has been expanded from one variant to three – the entry-level 132kW/280Nm 1.8-litre turbo-petrol 132TSI, the 132TSI Premium, and the 135TDI Premium that uses a 135kW/380Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel unit. All versions employ the DSG transmission.

As standard the 132TSI gets dual-zone climate control, keyless entry and start, leather steering wheel with cruise control, off-road mode, 8.0-inch audio system with App-Connect, LED interior ambient lighting, rearview camera, seven airbags with driver fatigue detection, multi-collision brake, LSD, 17-inch wheels, front fog-lights, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers and dimming mirror, fromt and rear sensors and LED tail-lights and daytime running lights.

Upgrading to the Premium nets buyers ‘comfort’ front seats, Vienna leather upholstery, heated front seats, sat-nav, LED headlights with cornering function, colour multi-function display, and carpet floor mats.

The Alltrack can also be optioned with its own driver assistance and infotainment package, as well as a sport luxury package which adds 18-inch wheels, gearshift paddles, panoramic electric glass sunroof, electrically adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support and memory function, folding mirrors and tinted rear and rear side windows.

The performance-oriented GTI and R variants will arrive in August, with specification still to come.

The GTI will receive a power boost to 169kW, previously used for the GTI Performance, which will also receive a bump up to 180kW.

Pricing for the updated Golf range will be revealed closer to the car’s Australian launch in July.