Volkswagen Golf (Germany, 2009-2012)

The VW Golf Mk6 is the sixth generation of the sucessful compact model, launched in 2008, and succeeds the Golf Mk5 series.

This generation of the Golf debuted on the Paris Motor Show in autumn 2008, first pictures had been revealed already earlier in August 2008. It was launched first as hatchback and estate only and is available as convertible since 2011.

The Golf model is the long-time beststeller in the VW-portfolio. By the launch of the sixth generation in 2008, a total of about 26 million units of the model had been sold since its introduction.

It is being produced at the VW sites in Zwickau and Wolfsburg.

The 2008 VW Golf was launched with a wide range of petrol, LPG and diesel engines, in combination with the standard manual 5- and 6-gear and optional automatic 6- and 7-gear transmissions. The sixth generation Golf has a front wheel-drive layout.

The engine range at launch included 59 kW / 80 PS to 125 kW / 170 PS power units. The petrol engines, starting at 90 kW, are all charged TSI engines while the diesels are new common rail TDI engines.

Diesel engines

New, especially quiet common rail TDI engines, were being implemented on the Golf for the first time. Two balancer shafts (from 103 kW / 140 PS) were adde to reduce undesirable vibrations. At its market launch, the Volkswagen Golf was offered with two 2.0 liter TDI engines with diesel particulate filter (DPF) delivering 81 kW / 110 PS and 103 kW / 140 PS.

Gasoline engines

At market launch, four variants of gasoline engines with 59 kW / 80 PS, 75 kW / 102 PS, 90 kW / 122 PS and 118 kW / 160 PS were offered. Starting at 90 kW / 122 PS, TSI engines with supercharging and/or turbocharging are used.

Consumption and CO2 emissions

The fuel consumption for the new engine generation is reduced by up to 28 percent as compared to the previous generation. The consumption figures range from 4.5 liters to 7.1 liters per 100 kilometers, all engines of the 2008 series fulfill the Euro-5 emissions standard.

DSG

Except for the entry-level versions, all gasoline and diesel engines are offered with Volkswagen’s dual clutch transmission (DSG) as option. Either a 6-speed or 7-speed DSG is used, depending on engine torque. Hence, on the 2008 Golf the DSG replaced the classic torque converter automatic.

Body

The Golv VI was available at launch as two and four door versions with tailgate. In 2011, a convertible variant was added.

Chassis

The Golf VI features MacPherson front suspension, multi-link rear suspension, ESP as standard, and optional DCC Adaptive Chassis Control.

The 2008 Golf was designed by Walter de Silva, Klaus Bischoff, Flavio Manzoni and Marc Lichte.

Chief designer Walter De Silva describes his design as follows: “It is more accentuated, more three-dimensional than its predecessor; with precisely defined lines and edges, and with finely proportioned flared surfaces and recesses.”

Exterior Design

All key body elements were redesigned for the 2008 generation. It shows a sportier and more distinctive look than the previous generation of the model.

The roof rests – similar to the Scirocco – on a prominently contoured shoulder section. A dominant curved line extends from the headlights back to the taillights. This side profile line also gives the Golf a fuller, lower stance on the road from a lateral perspective.

In front the car adopts the radiator grille of the first Golf generation that is horizontally aligned between the headlights; the grille itself is in high-gloss black. The lines of the bumper match those of the radiator grille. Beneath this is a section with another air scoop. Also presented over a black background are the chrome light housings of the headlamps. The rear too is characterized by a predominance of horizontal lines. Overall, the 2008 Golf gives the appearance of a significantly wider, flatter and higher end car.

Colors

At launch, the model was available in the following colours: Candy white, Black uni, Tornado red, Shark blue metallic, Amaryllis red metallic, Reflex silver metallic, Shadow blue metallic, Silverleaf metallic, United grey metallic, Blue graphite pearl effect, Deep black pearl effect.

Interior Design

The newly designed interior, borrowed elements from the CC model, in order to create a higher-segment feel. Ergonomic properties of the car’s interior were also further developed.

The 2008 Golf was launched with the following equipment lines: Trendline, Comfortline, Highline

Standard equipment for all trims includes ESP, seven airbags, air conditioning system, electro-mechanical power steering, power windows in front, multifunctional display, central locking, driver’s seat height adjustable.

Assistance systems such as ACC Automatic Distance Control, as well as developments like DCC Adaptive Chassis Control (DCC) and Park Assist, brought new technologies to the Golf.

The safety systems include a new ESP system, with finer response over its control range, optimized crash properties, seven airbags including knee airbag, the special head restraints (WOKS) that work to counteract whiplash trauma, a seatbelt detection feature debuting on the Golf in the rear seating area and standard daytime running lights.

EuroNCAP

The 2008 Golf achieved 36 out of 37 possible points in the EuroNCAP tests and was awarded five stars for occupant protection. It received four stars in the category child safety and three stars for pedestrian protection.

IIHS

The Golf and Golf GTI were awarded 2011 TOP SAFETY PICK by the annual IIHS crash-test series for the compact class, Front, side and rear crashes are simulated so as to find out which vehicle affords the best protection to its passengers.

2009 World Car Of The Year

The 2008 Volkswagen Golf was honored as the 2009 World Car of the Year. A jury comprised of fifty-nine international automotive journalists from twenty-five countries around the world chose the 2009 World Car of the Year, which was announced during the New York International Auto Show.

In June 2011, Volkswagen celebrated 35 years of the Golf GTI with a Golf GTI Edition 35. The edition delivers 173 kW / 235 PS of power (25 PS more than the normal GTI) and a 247 km/h top speed; 6 kg/PS power density. It has front-wheel drive and offers nonstop road grip thanks to its XDS electronic differential lock and within 6.6 seconds, the Golf GTI Edition 35 passes the 100 km/h mark. An optional 6-speed DSG transmission is available.

Visually, the Golf GTI Edition 35 can be recognised by its new bumper design in front, which can be optionally equipped with bi-xenon headlights plus cornering and LED daytime running lights. The car’s aerodynamics were improved by winglets (air flow surfaces) positioned at lower outboard areas in front, and the mid-section of the front spoiler was kept in black. On the car’s sides, it is the glossy black mirror housings, side sill extensions in body colour and the "35" edition badge on the front wings that identify the anniversary model. All Golf GTI Edition 35 cars are also equipped with smoked LED rear lights, an LED-illuminated licence plate at the rear and smoked rear windows.