• Photo gallery: This is the new Volkswagen Golf in detail

The Volkswagen Golf was born to be 'the people's car' (that is what Volkswagen means in German) and has ended up becoming a symbol of the European middle class . For 45 years (and even before with his predecessor, the Beetle ), having and driving a Golf has meant for many young people of several generations the best way to enter the adult world and even ascend the social ladder. Perhaps that is why it is the best-selling car in Europe with more than 35 million units manufactured since the first Golf left the Wolfsburg factory ('the city of the car') in March 1974.

More than four decades later we returned to Wolfsburg to witness the launch of Golf 8, the most technological, efficient and interconnected in the history of the German compact. The myth is more alive than ever despite the strong breakthrough in the market of a new segment, that of the SUV, which for years threatens the reign of the compact, and also despite the increasing electrification of the industry, which is giving way to new models called to replace the 'classics', as is the case, for example, of the Volkswagen ID.3 , the electric compact of the German brand and, therefore, natural 'heir' of Golf (although that will be to see it).

Precisely not to be left behind in the electrification race (the new Golf ceases to have a 100% electric variant ), the German bestseller makes a huge technological leap that is reflected, above all, in the evolution of the motors, among which there will be five hybrid versions (three microhybrid or 'Mild Hybrid' and two plug-ins or PHEV) . But it is not the only thing that distinguishes Golf 8. The cabin now becomes a completely digital environment, assisted driving is possible up to 210 km / h and is the first Volkswagen interconnected with other vehicles and traffic signals through Car2X .

But before talking about what 'Golf 8' hides, let's start with what is seen with the naked eye: the exterior design. The proportions, shapes and lines of the body are very similar to those of previous generations, so it is easily recognizable as a Golf, although the headlights, much more elongated and stylized than ever, call attention to anything, nothing to do with the headlights rounds of the first models or the rectangular ones of the Golf 3. In line with the new headlights, the grill and the entire front surface have also been reduced , which has allowed the aerodynamic coefficient to decrease to 0.275.

The new lighting design becomes a differential element of the car and the LED headlights are present in all variants of the eighth Golf. They are offered in three versions and in the superior one they are used, for the first time in the compact class, the powerful Led IQ.Light matrix headlights that we have already seen in the Touareg and the Passat . Through the Dynamic Light Assist , the 22 LEDs of each module are turned on and up to 10 different interactive lighting functions are activated according to the characteristics of the road, the traffic situation or the maneuver to be performed.

The fall of the hood forward is more pronounced than ever, while the roof line, with a slight stroke downwards, accentuates the unmistakable sporting character. Although it has a more flattened, elongated and dynamic appearance , its compact dimensions have been preserved, with a length of 4,284 millimeters, a width of 1,789 mm and a height of 1,456 mm.

Inside, the predominance of digital screens is striking , both in the center console and in the instrument cluster. According to the brand, the Golf 8 is the first model in its category that includes a fully digital high-end driving position, the Digital Cockpit , which consists of a 10.25-inch screen for the dashboard, another 8.25-inch screen with online connection for the infotainment system and a multifunction steering wheel.

The digital instrument panel can even be extended as an option with one of the two 10-inch infotainment systems. And on the left we also have a digital keyboard with which the light and heating of the windshield and rear window are controlled. Without forgetting the optional Windshield Head-up Display , which projects the most relevant information on the windshield.

The Golf 8 is always connected thanks to the serial communication unit with integrated eSIM and the online services of We Connect and We Connect Plus , which allows an unprecedented level of assisted driving and safety in the segment. The Car2X function uses information from other vehicles within a radius of up to 800 meters, as well as traffic signals, to warn the driver and transmit these warnings to other drivers. The new Travel Assist , which has access to the adaptive cruise control ACC and the Lane Assist lane departure warning system, allows autonomous level 2 driving up to a speed of 210 km / h. And with the left-turn assistant, the Golf automatically brakes until it stops if a vehicle is approaching the road to be crossed.

Under the hood we find the largest variety of engines in the history of Golf, with eight new versions of propulsion that, according to the brand, reduce consumption up to 17%. In the first phase of market launch, the TSI (gasoline) engines will be available in four power levels: 90, 110, 130 and 150 hp , although the lower range will not be marketed in Spain because it has no demand.

The 90 and 110 hp are 1-liter three-cylinder engines that will be used for the first time in Golf, while those with the highest power are 1.5 liters with active cylinder management (ACT). All four have particularly low consumption and emission values ​​thanks, in part, to the innovative TSI-Miller combustion process.

As for diesel versions, Volkswagen has completely developed two new 2.0-liter TDI engines with powers of 115 and 150 hp . Both will be available with a seven-speed manual gearbox and seven-speed DSG, while the most powerful version will also offer 4Motion all-wheel drive. A novelty of TDI is that they reduce up to 80% nitric oxide (NOx) emissions compared to their predecessors thanks to a new system of selective catalytic reduction (SCR) with double injection of AdBlue . According to Volkswagen, the new TDIs are among the "cleanest" internal combustion engines in the world.

But, without a doubt, the star propulsions are the five hybrid versions , four of which are new to Golf. As a world first in a Volkswagen, the three eTSI engines ('Mild Hybrid' or microhybrids), which incorporate a starter alternator and a 48 V battery to the efficient TSI engines of 110, 130 and 150 hp. According to the brand, a consumption saving of around 10% is achieved thanks to the fact that the electric support system allows to travel by inertia with the combustion engine completely off.

Finally, the range of plug-in hybrid drives will be divided into a version oriented to the autonomy of 204 hp and a sports version GTE oriented to the power of 245 hp . The two Golf with eHybrid technology have a new lithium-ion battery with 50% more energy ( 13 kWh ) that allows ample electric autonomies (around 60 km depending on the brand) and temporarily turns the Golf into a zero emission vehicle . All of these engines will be followed in 2020 by others with higher performance (up to 300 hp) for the independent Golf GTI and GTI TCR, Golf GTD, Golf GTE and Golf R.

As for finishing levels, there will be three options: Golf, Life and Style . The basic one already includes a wide range of standard equipment, such as LED headlights and rear LED optical groups, keyless start function ( Keyless Start ), services and mobile functions 'on line' We Connect and We Connect Plus, multifunction steering wheel, automatic climate control, Lane Assist lane departure warning system, turn assistant, Front Assist surveillance system with predictive pedestrian protection system, as well as Car2X. The upper level of equipment (Style) includes 17-inch alloy wheels , front sports seats, steering wheel and leather shifter knob, adjustment of the exterior mirrors with memory function, Led headlights with turn-off light and rear turn signals dynamic, among other elements.

The new Golf has already begun to be manufactured, in December orders can be placed in Spain and will reach our market in February , one or two months after it is available in Germany. In the course of next year the most sporty independent models will arrive.

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