It’s official. A significant revision of the Volkswagen Golf Mk 7 will arrive in Australia in mid-2017, dubbed the Golf 7.5. New engines, substantially upgraded interior technology and a subtly revised exterior headline changes for the 2017 Golf, which introduces several features not yet seen in the affordable car class.
It’s inside where the most visible changes happen. Volkswagen’s 12-inch Active Info Display – a version of the Audi Virtual Cockpit digital driver gauges – will be available for the first time in the hatch space.
In the centre stack, a new glass touchscreen will replace the old 6.5-inch unit, with capacitive touch buttons and a large 9.2-inch size available on top-end models. The large screen – and potentially smaller units – will also include gesture control. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability will be standard.
Outside, Volkswagen have restricted themselves to subtle updates to the bumpers, diffusers and headlight graphics. LED taillights will be standard, and full LED headlights will be offered. A new LED daytime running light signature will mark out the Golf visually.
Speaking to Australian media about the relatively subtle changes to the Golf’s exterior, Volkswagen marketing and product general manager Ben Wilks said that customers appreciate the “classical apperance” of the Golf and expect VW to “adhere” to it – adding that the Golf 7.5 “makes total sense…in the metal.”
Visually, the changes confirm what appeared in an earlier leak of the Golf’s facelift.
Under the bonnet, Volkswagen have reworked a number of the Golf’s engines.
Most Golfs sold today use VW’s widely-praised 92kW 1.4-litre TSI engine. This motor will be upgraded to a more powerful 110kW, 250Nm unit dubbed the 1.5-litre TSI Evo.
An economy-focussed version of the 1.5-litre offered in European markets is not expected to come to Australia.
Despite this, Volkswagen board member Frank Welsch has told international media that the 1.5-litre will be “up to 1L/100km more fuel efficient” than the 2016 model.
Standard versions of the Golf hatch, wagon and Alltrack will launch in Australia around June 2017.
They will be followed by the Golf GTI and Golf R a few months later – around September 2017.
The much-loved Golf GTI steps up from the 162kW two-litre TSI to the outgoing GTI Performance’s 169kW, 350Nm 2.0 TSI.
Although not confirmed for Australia, the GTI Performance model gains 11kW, moving to a 180kW version of the two-litre.
Additionally, a new GTE plug-in hybrid model with sporting pretensions is a high priority for Volkswagen Australia. Wilks says they’re “working hard” to make a case for the GTE – though if it does come, it won’t be in 2017.
The Golf will also come in for new autonomous safety features. Volkswagen Australia are yet to announce what will be standard, but the Golf will be available with a number of technologies, including active cruise control with traffic jam stop-and-go and steer; AEB with pedestrian detection; lane keeping assist; blind spot sensing, rear cross traffic alert and traffic sign recognition.
You can watch our video review of the current car by clicking here: 2016 Volkswagen Golf Review.
