2013 Volkswagen Golf - Bigger but Lighter!

 While we still couldn't get enough of the Volkswagen Golf MkVI, here comes the 2013 Volkswagen Golf MkVII, the 7th generation of Volkswagen Golf. Exterior wise, the overall design of the Golf MkVII is largely similar to its predecessor. It is now 1799mm wide (+13mm), 4255mm long (+56mm), 1452mm tall (-28mm) with a wheelbase of 2634mm (+59mm).

 Higher beltline is spotted along with slightly more sharper lines here and there. In my opinion, the design could be better as it might be difficult to differentiate a MkVII with a MkVI from far, but I guess that's what Volkswagen wants. Same reason of why Porsche retains much of the design features of its 991, generation after generation because it is considered as a symbol. Note the trapizoidal shape fuel cover is designed in parallelogram shape so that the lines are parallel with the rear door shut line as well as the taillight, nice touch!

 Cabin has the usual theme found in most of Volkswagen cars. Dark but with chrome finishing at the right places to give the cabin a premium outlook. For the MkVII, the center console is angled slightly to the driver, making it a more driver-focused cabin. Being a Golf, you can expect solid built, good quality with soft-touch materials throughout the cabin. The longer wheelbase contributed to a longer cabin and bigger boot, measuring at 380litres which is 30litres more than its predecessor.

Being 100kg lighter than its predecessor, the Golf MkVII has a totally new lighter but stronger MQB platform which is also used by manufacturers like Skoda and Audi to save cost. Safety wise the Golf MkVII is filled to its brim. Safety features such as lane assist, traffic sign detection, fatigue detection, adaptive cruise control with city emergency braking system (up to 30km/h) and multi-collision brake which is a brake booster. Sounds like a mini-Volvo huh? Parking problems will be solved with the help of overhead parking system with 360-degree surveillance graphic, and also Park Assist which parks the Golf automatically.

Here are the engine options:

• 1.2litre petrol TSI 85 PS
• 1.4litre petrol TSI 140 PS with Active Cylinder Technology
• 1.6litre diesel 105 PS
• 2.0litre diesel 150 PS

Too bad the 1.4 TSI Twincharged engine found in the outgoing Golf has been discontinued, but Volkswagen make up by giving auto start-stop and brake energy recuperation as standard to make the engine more efficient. As for Malaysia, it's most likely that Volkswagen will only bring in the petrol engines, the best candidate would be the 1.4litre petrol TSI engine.

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