With over a million sold in 2016, it seems the Golf is the hatchback everyone has to have. And although there was technically nothing lacking in the model 7, Volkswagen has upped the game even further with its new model 7.5. Here’s why every man and his dog will be clamouring to get behind the wheel.
New look
Cleaner, sharper and sleeker than its predecessor, the Golf 7.5 is less a new generation Golf than a stand-by model (the eighth generation will arrive sometime in 2020). Although styling adjustments are minimal, the 7.5 takes it up a notch with new LED head and tail lights (the GTI-P and Golf R also have scrolling LED indicators), reworked lower bumper treatments and reshaped front guards over restyled wheels. Any rough edges have been smoothed off, making it the hottest thing on 4 wheels pundits have seen this year.
New tech
Forget conventional clocks, the new Golf 7.5 boasts a 12.3 inch digital instrument cluster. Fully customisable, it’s up there with Audit’s TT and R8 sportscars, offering widescreen maps, vehicle data and entertainment options galore. Comfortline and Highline variants also come standard with an 8 inch central infotainment display offering gesture control in lieu of physical buttons, along with the latest mod-cons like Discover Media Audio and Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink.
New power
Say goodbye to the old 92-kilowatt engine and say hello to 110kW worth of grunt. Zooming from 0 to 100km in 8.2 seconds, it has some turbo lag off the blocks but offers fabulous lane changing pace for those opportune gaps in traffic. Thanks to a well insulated cabin, road and engine noise is almost non-existent and the ride comfort is first class. 1.4 litre petrol and 2.0 litre diesel models will be standard in Australia.
Deets you need to know
There’s something for everyone with new models ranging from $22,840 drive-away for the 92 TSI manual to $46,411 drive-away for the GTI manual and $61,125 for the Golf R with DSG (direct-shift gearbox).
We can also expect a lower priced three door GTI model from just over $40,000 drive-away and Golf R from just over $50,000 drive-away by the end of the year. All models come with three years/unlimited kilometre warranties.
