Editor Review

First Volkswagen Hatch For India

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The Volkswagen Golf is a compact car/small family car manufactured by Volkswagen since 1974 and marketed worldwide across six generations, in various body configurations and under various nameplates --prominently as the Volkswagen Rabbit in the United States and Canada, and as the Volkswagen Caribe in Mexico.

The front features VW's trademark chrome grille, with LED headlamps inspired by the Eos coupé-cabrio's. Lower air intakes com-plete with integrated spotlights are reminiscent of the R32 hot hatch.

Key Golf styling cues, such as the high shoulder line, small glass area and chunky C-pillars, remain. But with extra sculpting on the bonnet and side panels, plus a neat roof spoiler, the MkVI looks more sporty.

At the rear, the tail-lights receive a mild revamp and now feature twin circular lamps. The dash is more adventurous and the new Golf will also offer the latest hi-tech equipment. This includes Bluetooth connectivity, sat-nav, digi­tal radio and compatibility with MP3 music players and wireless gadgets.

Volkswagen's new take on the Golf small car is more of an evolution of the vehicle's character than an outright change of pace, something that VW's top brass had been pushing to achieve sooner rather than later. It has a more purposeful stance than previously thanks to the prominent wheel arches; the way the VW Golf sits on the road is more appealing than the previous model.

In a visual sense the changes to the cabin are fairly low key. It looks quite similar to the previous model. But Volkswagen has made a number of changes to the controls and features.

The German car maker explains that "assistance" systems such as automatic distance control will make the cut, which is expected to be a new radar-based cruise control system previously only seen on high end luxury cars.

A range of new infotainment technologies will also be offered, including a new touch-screen satellite navigation system, similar to the one available in the Tiguan compact AWD.

There are innovative inclusions designed to make everyday driving easier and also more fun, such as the park steering assistant that parks the car for you, and the adaptive chassis control that can change the car's attitude from stiff and sporty to soft and comfy in seconds.

The electronic stability programme (ESP) has also been refined for improved safety. It is expected that Volkswagen India will launch Golf by end 2009 or by early 2010 in a price bracket of Rs. 5-7 lakhs.

TV Commercials of Volkswagen Golf:

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