Update: The New 2020 VW Golf
First introduced into the world automotive market in 1974 as a replacement for the iconic Volkswagen Beetle, the Volkswagen Golf still is one of the most popular cars in the Volkswagen fleet. In recent months we have been reading rumors of plans for an eighth-generation model. Some call it a reboot, but big technological enhancements are expected.
To ensure great fuel economy, the car features a mild hybrid, 48-volt electric system and a choice of a 1.0-liter or 1.5-liter engine with a belt-driven starter-generator that retrieves kinetic energy when the car is coasting, directs it to a battery pack and then punches it through the drivetrain. The electric system includes three components – a DC/DC-convertor, a 48-volt-lithium-ion battery and a 48-volt-starter belt and generator. VW claims that it will save up to one-tenth of a gallon of gasoline for every 62-miles driven. It will also boost torque, and will continue to “sail” (Volkswagen’s word) when the driver takes his foot off the accelerator without consuming more gas. There is also a start-stop system that VW claims is absolutely seamless due to the quick response of the system’s architecture and belt-driven starter.
Inside the car enhancements include a very wide display consisting of two screens. One screen located behind the steering wheel replaces the analog instrument cluster and the screen on the right is perfectly situated to allow the passenger to gain access to the car’s infotainment system.
The passenger space is also lacking a lot of the buttons, dials, and switches resulting in a cleaner appearance. Still, there will be some of those familiar buttons on the steering wheel and in the center stack.
The vehicle’s software will receive a regular wireless updating to ensure that it remains up-to-date, and the car will be eternally linked to the Internet.
A navigation system is included that not only guides the driver to his destination, but also locate the best places for the hybrid system to release a burst of electricity to create more power, which is ideal when climbing steep hills. It is also expected that there could be some level of automated driving.
Externally, the car will carry a traditional hatchback silhouette, but with shorter overhangs and sharper lines. LED lights will grace the rear with integrated sweeping turn signals and the front will include LED headlights
The car’s international debut is slated for early 2020 and it should be available for purchase in dealerships in the 2021 model year.
Whether the car will travel along the highways of the United States is not clear due to reports released early in May that Volkswagen plans not to offer the Golf here. We have to see if that’s just a ploy to promote the sale of the Golf GTI and R in the U.S. in 2020. The GTI and R accounted for 48 percent of all golf sales in the U.S. in 2018.
