The Volkswagen Golf is a car that has
become an automotive icon. Over in Europe the car defines a genre and
is the benchmark that others either follow or try to beat when
engineering a hatchback. However over here, things are just warming
up as any real Golf presence came about sometime after 2004 when the
Golf Mk5 was officially imported. Prior to this we had Auto Dunia
importing Volkswagens but somehow they must have done it wrong as not
many people were enraptured by Volkswagens. These days, there are
more Golfs than before and now in its Mk7 model, the current Golf
carries on the legacy (and whatever reputation the previous models
have; good or bad).
The Golf 1.4TSI that we're testing here is the most 'entry-level' Golf in Malaysia. It sits on the Volkswagen's MQB platform which actually comes in all shapes and sizes – from the Audi A3, this Golf, the Skoda Octavia, the upcoming Audi TT, the VW Tiguan and Touran. Of course this means a whole lot of platform sharing and cost savings for Volkswagen. Does this mean that the Golf is either as good as an Audi A3? In some ways it is, but note that this is a Volkswagen, and it therefore has its part to play in the VW Group picture.
The Mk7 Golf is like the previous Golf
that came before it, and before that. This basically means that it is
evolution taking its course. One could imagine the Mk1 Golf as an
energetic kid who is is junior school, the Mk2 Golf as a strapping
and fit teenager who grew into the Mk3. This chap was quite fit and
nimble too but somehow by the Mk4 started taking too much sweets,
chocolates and got too chubby for its own good (even the GTI was slow
and overweight). This fat bloke then went on a diet, but not too much
and became the Mk5 which in the GTI form was like a stout but agile
fella due to its turbocharged 2.0liter. This bloke then decided that
losing weight was a good thing and by the Mk6 things started looking
promising. It was so promising that by the Mk7 the Golf was wider and
lower and lighter. It was longer too but weighed up to 100kg lighter
on average, model to model.
But even whilst this was happening, the
Golf was still recognisably a Golf. Its DNA was intact even with that
very positive weight loss and slightly different design cues.
Evolution has taken its course and I have to say that this is the
best looking Golf since the Mk2. It is still slightly plain to look
at compared to, say an Audi A3 or even a Mazda 3. This is especially
so to those that grew up wanting swollen wheel arches, spoilers and
that very Japanese look Malaysians tend to love. Maybe the Golf could
do with a little more bling, eh?
The Engine & Drivetrain
Now getting under the skin, the Golf
1.4TSI has 140hp and 240Nm torque from its 1.4liter turbocharged
engine. This is no longer twin charged like the current Jetta (which
is based on the Mk6 Golf) or the Polo GTI. The engine is very
tractable and pulls strongly from around 1,500rpm and does not feel like it radiates as much engine heat as the TwinCharged variants. It also feels the most sorted out DSG drivetrain out there. And may be the DSG equipped car to get due to less heat soak and a more sorted out gearbox. You can read more about this below.
There is a fuel saving Start-Stop function in the Golf, if you don't like the jolt of an engine starting up everytime it stops in traffic then you have to automatically tell yourself to turn it off (a switch beside the gear shift) everytime you start the car. This isn't something so atrocious as even most Mercedes Benz Blue Efficiency models come with this function. All this eco-friendly stuff is there to ensure the car companies lower their CO2 emissions over in Europe where things are stricter than here. This is the near future and like electrically assisted power steerings, are here to stay.
The car, according
to what I have researched has MacPherson struts up front and a
torsion beam at the rear. If you had more than 148hp, Volkswagen
would give the Golf a multi-link setup (which the GTI has). But does
it feel like a compromise? I'll get to this during the driving part
below too.
The Interior
As for the interior build, material and
trim, the Golf 14TSI is solidly built. It is a little plain in its
execution but the ergonomics are above average with some tiny
switchgear on the steering wheel. The steering wheel itself is actually impressive to the
touch and how it looks. There are soft touch materials used
throughout the cabin and compared to the Mk6, it gets things closer
to Audi than before. Minus most of the the bling though. Yes, things are a
little austere and slightly bland here in the Golf but again, I must insist that the fit and
finish is good with some nice touches like that BMW-esque angled to
the driver center console. And it does look better in the photos than in real life. It has a plainer look in the flesh, or plastic, metal, or whatever.
I suppose with Volkswagens you know they
fill a spot in the vast VW Group range of cars. More bling is kept
for the other brand called Audi. Anyway, the large touch screen radio
has quite good sound and quite easy to use. Quite. Not extremely easy
mind you. Oh, the park brake is now electrically operated and is only
a switch to the rear of the gear lever. Very upscale in this
category. It does have that annoying lack of an 'Auto Up-Down' for
all of its windows. One must hold on to the power window switch for
both up and down.
Driving the Darn Thing
Driving position is good and you get
comfortable easily with everything within easy reach. Once on the
move you'd notice that the car is bloody quiet for what is supposed
to be a small family hatchback. So much so that the noise generated
from the Bridgestone tyres are audible whilst on the move on most
rough road surfaces. The Mk6 I drove before had this feeling too, I
suppose this is down to the Golf being extremely refined for its
class. Aside from that, everything seemed sorted and if you're
cruising down the highway at the national speed limit, you'd think
that this car is as refined as something larger and more expensive.
Everything feels cohesive when you
drive the Golf in and around town. The steering is nicely weighted
and its gearing seems spot on for those U turns. At higher than usual
speeds, the Golf exhibits good ride and handling. Even on the
standard 16 inch wheels it feels planted and secure. Unlike the
previous Mk6 Golf which seemed floaty and a totally lacking in feel.
Very predictable is the word. It may have that superfast steering as
the Citroen DS4 I drove earlier, but everything feels better gelled
together. The correct weight, correct steering ratio and the fact
that its good to the touch. If you're wanting more steering feel (not
weight, but feel), the Golf is more about accuracy than actually
feeling every pebble or ripple on the road. I could live with it.
Drive it with gusto and you'd be
impressed by the effortless performance of the 14liter turbocharged
engine as well as the 7 speed dry clutch DSG. It is so much more
smoother and its power delivery is good with things moving at an
early 1,500rpm. The gearbox must have been tweaked by VW compared to
the Mk6 Golf and even the Polo GTI. It does not have that slightly
raw feeling when you've just started moving. The whole powertrain
feels like the wet type clutch DSG from the Golf GTI or the Audi TT.
Throttle feel is so much more improved compared to those that use the
DSG and the previous TwinCharged 1.4 liter unit too.
I believe this
Mk7 Golf has the most sorted out DSG of all of its cars that are
1.8liters and below. It may actually be pretty reliable too due to
this re-engineering and as stated above, the cooler feeling engine bay compared to the TwinCharge variants previously. One can accelerate from nought to 100kmh in
about 8.4seconds and it'll even hit 200kmh easily if you want it to.
If you're attacking the road, that DSG as well as the engine gives it
all its got and will hold nothing back. There is a slightly empty
throttle pedal feel, but this is most probably the standard
characteristics of a small capacity engine, with drive by wire
accelerator pedal coupled with a DSG transmission. But everything
will feel light and breezy to most ordinary drivers.
On the point of whether or not the
torsion bar makes a difference compared to a multi link I have to
state that in this 14TSI form it is more than adequate. It rides well
at all speeds, soaks up bumps and is actually quite good in corners
or handling even on rough roads. For the tyre size and the power of
the car, it feels sorted, unlike the beam axle used in some Peugeots
or Citroens I've driven so far.
This may be the most efficient
hatchback in Malaysia is this car. But, the drawback to all of this
'goodness' and efficiency on the roads is that the car feels a little
clinical overall. The Golf is well built, has impressive refinement,
practical, decent performance, very fuel efficient (less than
8.5liters per 100km is darn impressive). It does everything its
supposed to do well but because of this is falls into the realm of
being utterly clinical. There is little or no art in how it achieves
this high level of efficiency. It is science. Now this isn't a bad
thing if you want something that is more logical than emotional. Like
Mr Spock of Star Trek, logic and efficiency has a place in the
universe.
Volkswagen
Golf 1.4TSI Mk7 Specifications
Base
Price: From RM159,888 (without insurance)
Body:
5-door Hatchback
Mechanical Orientation: Front Wheel Drive
Mechanical Orientation: Front Wheel Drive
Engine:
4 cylinder 16 valve fuel injected 1.4-litre Turbocharged
Power: 140hp (6000rpm)
Torque: 240 NM (1400rpm)
Transmission: 7 speed Dual Clutch Gearbox
Power: 140hp (6000rpm)
Torque: 240 NM (1400rpm)
Transmission: 7 speed Dual Clutch Gearbox
Weight:
1360kg
0-100
km/h: 8.4 seconds (tested)
Top Speed: 212kmh (manufacturer's claim)
Top Speed: 212kmh (manufacturer's claim)
Fuel
Consumption: I got an average of around 8.3ltr/100km even after
really going for it.
For:
An all rounder, comfortable ride, overall refinement, very
predictable handling, nicely weighted and accurate steering,
performance from the 1.4 turbo more than adequate and refined, DSG
gearbox smoothest to date, ergonomic interior, best looking Golf in a
long time
Against: Slightly clinical or soulless, no auto-down/up for the driver's side window, some tyre roar (probably due to the overall quietness of the cabin – good tyres is a must), best looking Golf in a long time but it still a Golf – which means it is styled very conservatively – VW needs to go a little crazy.
Conclusion:
The Mr Spock of all hatchbacks. An all rounder and what every
C-segment hatchback ought to be. A tad bit clinical in terms of its
too simple looks and how it feels is the only true fault. However, a
Petrolhead would be more at home with either a Polo GTI or even the
faster Golf GTI than this. For the average human being without petrol
in their veins, this Golf 14 TSI would be the perfect car for them.
Complete Specifications (courtesy of VW Malaysia)
Engine & Gearbox
1.4L 140PS TSI turbocharged direct injection 4-cylinder petrol engine
7-speed direct shift gearbox DSG
Engine Start/Stop system with regenerative braking
Interior
380 litres of luggage compartment space
5.8” ‘Composition Media’ colour touch screen radio with USB, AUX-In and SD card slot, and 8 speakers with Bluetooth connection
60:40 split folding rear seat backrest with load-through provision and centre armrest, 2-cup holders
Auto dimming interior rear view mirror
Chrome interior package
‘Climatronic’ air-conditioning system with 2-zone temperature control
Cruise control with speed limiter
‘Dark silver-brushed’ decorative inserts on dashboard and centre console
Drawer compartments under front seats
Electronic parking brake with auto hold function
Front centre armrest with storage box
Front seats with lumbar supports
Glove compartment with cooling system
Leather 3-spoke multi-function steering wheel with paddle shift control
Leather gear shift knob
Multi-function display ‘Plus’
Overhead storage compartment with lid
Rear air vents
Seat upholstery in ‘Zoom/Merlin’ fabric
Exterior
Auto headlight activation with ‘Leaving Home’ and manual ‘Coming Home’ function
Bi-xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights
Chrome grille
‘Dover’ alloy wheels – 16” x 6.5J, tires – 205/55 R16
Dynamic headlight range-adjustment with dynamic bending light
Electrically foldable and adjustable exterior mirror, with environment lighting and curb view
Front fog lights with cornering lights
Heat-insulating green tinted glass
Rear fog lights
Safety
3-point seat belts for all 5 seats
Anti-lock braking system ABS with brake assist BA
Anti-theft alarm system with tilt and interior motion sensor
Curtain airbag system for front and rear passengers including side airbags at the front
Driver and front passenger airbags with front passenger airbag deactivation, including knee airbag on driver’s side
Electronic stabilisation control ESC
Extended electronic differential lock XDS
Flat tyre indicator
ISOFIX anchorage system for child seat
Multi-collision brake system
Park distance control (front & rear)
Rain sensor
Safety-optimised front head restraints
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