Volkswagen Golf 6 driven

When it comes to appearances, the new Golf 6 seamlessly takes over from the Golf 5. You really have to look hard to spot the exterior differences. Angles are bit sharper, taillights squarer and there’s a tornado line running along the sides from front to rear. That’s pretty much it.

The big differences are under the bonnet. Volkswagen have kept the old and breathless 1.6 petrol Trendline (all 75kW of it) in the line-up, but they’ve done awaywith the 2.0 litre petrols completely. In it’s place is a trio offorce fed 1.4′s, with the top-of-the-petrol-range1.4 TSI Highline sporting a supercharger and a turbocharger (the Trendline and Comfortline come equipped with a turbocharger only).

Pity VW’s marketers. They have to convince the South African public that this particular 1.4 TSI is worth the R272 900 they want for it. They’ll point to performance figures which say the car will do 0 – 100kph in 8 seconds (almost a second faster than the old 2.0 FSI) and use a lot less fuel in the bargain. Up on the Highveld the blown VW will come into its own against its naturally aspirated bigger capacity rivals struggling for oxygen.

Currently a 2.0 litre TDI tops the range, the engine now converted to a common rail unit. Expect the GTI and two 1.6 TDI’s to round off the range in the last quarter of 2009.

Although the exterior is very similar to the outgoing Golf, the interior has had a more extensive revamp. Perceptual quality is good, with brand new dials and buttons in more accessable places than before. There wasn’t much wrong with the old Golf’s dynamics, so the chassis and steering stays the same. VW’s engineers have managed to make the road noise less intrusive by playing around with new insulation in the windscreen and in the doors, and by replacing the side mirrors with a more aerodynamic design.

If you were expecting a major revamp, Golf 6 will disappoint and you’ll have to wait for Golf 7 four years from now. If you’re looking for an already good car made (slightly) better, you’ll be satisfied once you’ve wrapped your head around the 1.4 litre conundrum.

Prices are as follows:

1.6 Trendline (75kW)R214 400

1.4 TSI Trendline (90kW) R227 900

1.4 TSI Comfortline (90kW) R238 400

1.4 TSI Highline (118kW) R272 900

2.0 TDi Highline (103kW) R298 900

The new Golf range comes standard with a 5 year/90 000km Service Plan, 3 year/120 000km warranty and a 12 year anti-corrosion warranty. Service Interval is 15 000km.

Options are:

Metallic / Pearlescent PaintR830

Towbar R6 370

Park Distance Control Front & Rear R4 520

Park Assist R5 670

Rear Assist – Rearview Camera R5 150

Cruise Control R2 910

Climatronic – not available on TrendlineR4 240 –

Electric Sunroof R6 630

Multifunction Steering WheelR2 300

Xenon Headlights R9 080

Satellite Navigation System R28 290

RCD-510 MP3 6CD Changer R3 620

RCD 510 Dynaudio Excite R13 650

Leather Seats – not available on TrendlineR10 290