Volkswagen Golf (Germany, 2003-2009)

The fifth generation Golf debuted on the 2003’s Frankfurt Motor Show, arriving at the North American markets in 2006. It would, again, be released under the Rabbit nameplate in the United States and Canada.
By the year 2005, Volkswagen’s top selling model ever, the Golf, reached the 24 million built and sold. It has been officially declared the world’s third most sold car.
For this generation, no convertible version has been released, as there already are convertible versions of other models (Eos and New Beetle) to which an eventual Golf convertible would end up being very similar.

Engines for the Golf Mk5 now include direct-injection FSI and TDI models. Petrol engines range from a 1.4L – turbocharged and supercharged – to the GTI’s 2.0L and the R32’s 3.2L. The diesel engines can be chosen between a 1.9L TDI and a 2.0L TDI or SDI.
The Golf Mk5’s transmission is available in 5- and 6-speed manual, 6-speed Tiptronic, 6- and 7-speed DSG (direct-shift gearbox).
All Golfs come with front-wheel drive, except for the four-wheel drive 4Motion variant.

Platform The Golf Mk5’s platform is a Volkswagen A5.   Suspension The Golf’s agile suspension has been designed to be as predictable as possible, built with controlled ESP (electronic stability programme) and traction control. Its rear axle has been fully redesigned as it now consists of a multi-link independent rear suspension system, built with coil springs, telescopic gas pressurized shock absorbers and a stabilizer bar. The front suspension also includes coil springs, telescopic gas pressurizes shock absorbers and a stabilizer bar, along with its independent McPherson struts. The customer can opt for a sports suspension.   Steering The Golf’s rack and pinion steering is generally direct and accurate, besides being electro-mechanical and power assisted.   Brakes The power assisted, dual circuit, vented front discs and the solid rear discs are all built with electronic brake pressure distribution, as well as 4-wheel ABS anti-lock brakes.

The fifth Golf has considerably increased size and sharpened its body style. On the other hand, interior quality seems to have decreased, as if some manufacture costs have been cut down.
However, tests show that its body structure is far more rigid and safe than the previous generations, including a reinforced floorpan and a better impact force distribution, which helped score five stars in the Euro NCAP crash tests for the Mk5 Golf.
Plus, standard Mk5 Golfs come with Isofix child seat mounting points, regarding it as a family car.