Volkswagen Golf 7
Volkswagen
Golf 7 was presented at the Paris Motor Show in 2012. VW Golf probably is the
most popular model after VW Beetle from ‘30s. The new Golf is about 100 kg lighter
than the previous model. The weight depends on the engine, transmission and so
on. A lot of assistance systems helping the driver are integrated in the new Golf 7.
Volkswagen
Golf 7 shares the same platform with the third generation of Audi A3, Seat Leon
and Škoda Octavia. The new exterior design is more aggressive. It has sporty appearance
and at the same time it’s clean. It has a typically German style design from
the past but with new lines. It is looks very good and stylish. If you want your
car to be distinguished, you can chose among eleven types of wheels and twelve
colors.
The interior
is not radically changed in comparison to the previous Golf 6. But it looks great. The
feeling behind the steering-wheel is that everything is on the place where it
should be. The instrumental cluster is easily-readable and it's not hard to
follow the parameters on it. The dashboard is simple and clean. The test model
was equipped with a board computer with a 5” touch screen display, which is
integrated in the middle console. There is a two-zone climate control below
the touch display. The glove box has enough volume for a bottle of water,
documents or whatever you want. 
While I was
doing the test drive there were two passengers with me. There is enough space
for the driver and the passenger next to him. The rear seats space is
convenient only for two passengers. If there are three, the space will be
narrow and it's acceptable only for a short distance. If you have a child or children
you can put an ISOFIX seat/s. The producer offers eleven ushers. They depend on
the standard (‘Trendline’, ‘Comfortline’ and ‘Highline’) and additional
equipment. The ushers are made of textiles; textiles and leather; and leather.
The trunk
has a technical handle. It is hidden behind the back door logo. So, when you
open the back
door, you have to flip the logo and you can see a lot of storage space. If you
want more storage space, the back rests can be folded and you can have almost
flat floor.
The tested
Golf was with 1.4 TSI engine with 122 hp and 7-speed DSG transmission. The
driving was a real pleasure. The car quickly responds to your orders and it is
not hard to take the control over it - only when you drive in sport mode. In
comfort mode the car is a little bit clumsy but it saves fuel, which means -
money. There are petrol (TSI) and diesel (TDI) engines available on Bulgarian
market. All engines, petrol and diesel ones use BlueMotion Technology (except
GTI and GTD engines).
Fuel
|
Volume ccm
|
kW/hp
|
Transmission
|
Gasoline
|
1200 TSI
|
63/85
|
5-speed manual
|
1200 TSI
|
77/105
|
6-speed manual
|
|
1200 TSI
|
77/105
|
7-speed automatic DSG
|
|
1400 TSI
|
90/122
|
6-speed manual
|
|
1400 TSI
|
90/122
|
7-speed automatic DSG
|
|
1400 TSI
|
103/140
|
6-speed manual
|
|
1400 TSI
|
103/140
|
7-speed automatic DSG
|
|
1400 TSI ACT*
|
103/140
|
6-speed manual
|
|
1400 TSI ACT*
|
103/140
|
7-speed automatic DSG
|
|
GTI 2000 TSI
|
162/220
|
6-speed manual
|
|
GTI 2000 TSI
|
162/220
|
6-speed automatic DSG
|
|
169/230
|
6-speed manual
|
||
GTI "Performance" 2000 TSI
|
169/230
|
6-speed automatic DSG
|
|
Diesel
|
1600 TDI
|
66/90
|
5-speed manual
|
1600 TDI
|
77/105
|
5-speed manual
|
|
1600 TDI
|
77/105
|
6-speed manual
|
|
1600 TDI
|
77/105
|
7-speed automatic DSG
|
|
2000 TDI
|
110/150
|
6-speed manual
|
|
2000 TDI
|
110/150
|
6-speed automatic DSG
|
|
GTD 2000 TDI
|
135/184
|
6-speed manual
|
|
GTD 2000 TDI
|
135/184
|
6-speed automatic DSG
|
! Note: This table is based on EU market. Some of engines can't be
available in different countries or there are other engines which aren't written.
The 4Motion
system, which is all-wheel-drive system, is available with 1600 and 2000 ccm TDI
engines respectively 105 and 150 hp; and depends on the market.
Bluemotion
Technology has to decrease fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. This system is
based on two subsystems:
- Recuperation
– it saves fuel and lessens the CO2 emissions by keeping the energy while
stopping. This energy is usually lost. The kept energy is used again for acceleration
or starting the engine;
- Start/Stop –
this system is available in almost all new vehicles. When you stop in the
traffic, release the clutch and put on a neutral gear, the engine will turn off
automatically. The engine will start when you push the clutch, preparing to go.
If your Golf 7 is with 6- or 7- speed automatic DSG transmission the engine
will turn off when you stop and start again when you push the acceleration
pedal. This system cares about fuel consumption, CO2 emissions and respectively
your money;
- Low rolling
resisting tires – the principle here is that if you drive with low-resisting
tires, there will be less load on the engine and thus you will save fuel;
- Aerodynamics
– this is a result of designers’ work aiming to create low air resistance
design. This also helps to lessen the fuel consumption.
*ACT – This
system turns off two out of four cylinders in the range of engine between 1400
– 4000 rpm and the speed up to 130 km/h. Thus the fuel consumption decreases up
to 1 liter per 100 km depending on the driving situation.
New Golf 7
has a lot of support systems helping the driver. Adaptive Curse Control is a
system which automatically controls the distance and ‘Front assist’ a system
for monitoring the zone in front of the car. These two functions can control the
speed of Golf 7 depending on the speed of the car in front of yours. The
systems control the set distance and warn when you are coming closer to a
slower vehicle. They create a high pressure in the brake system which decreases
the force in case of collusion or even prevents the crash.
Line assist
– this system can make intervention in steering in case there is a danger the
car to go out of the line. Another system can recognize the traffic sings such as 'speed limit' and 'overtaking prohibited'. When the system detects the sign it
is indicated on the multifunctional display. There is a system for giving
additional safety to passengers. It can recognize the dangerous situations and
automatically close the windows and the sun roof.
Volkswagen
Golf 7 is a great car. There are a lot of engines with different powers and
transmissions. It’s a pleasant experience to drive this car. It’s very easy to take the car under control.
Golf 7 quickly responds to your orders and it is not hard to take the control
over it. Unlike the sport mode the comfort one saves fuel. If you want to have
a unique car there are eleven types of wheels and twelve color options. A lot
of systems support the driver while driving. The safety is entrusted to seven
air bags. One of them is for driver’s knees. Volkswagen Golf 7 has won the
prize “Car of The year” for 2013. 
