The New Facelifted Volkswagen Golf Mk7.5 is Now Available For Booking In Malaysia

Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has unveiled the Volkswagen Golf facelift here and they are now accepting bookings at all authorised dealerships throughout the country. The new Golf, known as the Golf Mk 7.5, will have a 4 variant lineup -  the Golf TSI 1.4 in Sportline (the new base mode) and R-Line (the base model with a sportier bodykit), the Golf GTI and the range topping Golf R. Prices start at RM155,990 for the fully imported hatchback.

The new Golf features a slightly updated exterior and a very slightly updated interior. The new exterior parts are the redesigned bumpers, new headlights and LED tail lights. Inside, all variants get an updated media system with app-connect (slightly different for the higher specced variants). I had the opportunity to view the cars at the media preview Friday morning (yesterday) and VPCM displayed the Golf R, Golf GTI and the Golf TSI Sportline. The Golf TSI R-line was not previewed as according to VPCM, the car has not arrived as yet. 

The Golf is the Volkswagen brand's most successful model on sale. Every generation of it has played a major role in the automotive industry by setting standards in the compact class. It is usually the benchmark of others.

This current Mark 7.5 variant is one which is quite a darling of the international automotive press actually. This new facelift version has also been warmly received by most foreign journos. Glad that we are finally getting it here in Malaysia. I personally think that the Mk 7 is one of my favourite Golfs out there. The favourite being the Mark 2 for me personally. This comes really, really close! Even the base Sportline you see in here is a competent vehicle.

The Golf is an icon, particularly the Golf GTI. the first Golf GTI almost single handedly invented the hot hatch category when it was launched. Autocar UK actually voted it the “Most Influential Car of All Time”. 

Mr Erik Winter, Managing Director of VPCM stated that the company is confident that the new Golf family will be well-received in Malaysia as it already has a strong local following and judging by the inquiries for the facelifted model. “With the introduction of four variants, there is a Golf for everyone. We are certain that the range will fulfil the expectations and desires of Golf fans here in Malaysia,“ he added.

It is still fully imported and because of this the price remains slightly steep when compared to the locally assembled Jetta TSI sedan which is based on the previous Golf Mk 6. When asked at the preview event earlier today, Mr Winer said that VPCM has no plans to locally assemble the Golf as yet. I think that this could be down to the fact that this is still a facelift of the Golf Mk 7 and not an outright model change. It may not be economically feasible to introduce a new model for the Pekan plant (operated by Volkswagen Group Malaysia) right now. This is merely my thoughts on this as the current MQB platform cars (like the Golf) assembled locally are the Passat and the Tiguan only. 

Anyway, another great thing in conjunction with the preview and taking of bookings for the Golf Mk 7.5 is the fact that VPCM is also offering Malaysians the chance to win an all-expense paid trip to the Wörthersee GTI Festival in Austria. The contest is currently ongoing and will end on the 27 th of March 2018. Details can be found at the Volkswagen Malaysia website. 

When and where can you see the new Golf?

So those of you who want to view the new Golf variants especially the Golf GTI and Golf R can do so at the upcoming Volkswagen Tours. According to VPCM, The GTI will be on display at AEON Bandar Dato Onn in Johor Bahru, on the 27th March till 1st April, while the Golf R will make its local debut at 1 Utama Shopping Centre from 28 March till 1 April 2018. So do take note on this. Bookings and test drive arrangements can be made at all authorized Volkswagen dealerships nationwide. 

VPCM have said that there have units of the Golf R, Golf GTI and TSI Sportline here. The TSI R-line would be arriving shortly.

MODEL OVERVIEW & PRICES (with more photos of each variant)

Golf

Price: RM155,990 (Sportline)

Price: RM169,990 (R-Line) - Note: No photos as the car was not on display

The entry level (for Malaysia) front wheel drive Golf 1.4 TSI is available in both Sportline and R-Line. Both variants get the 1.4TSI turbocharged engine with a 7-speed dry clutch direct shift gearbox (DSG), giving a power output of 150PS and torque of 250Nm between 1,500 to 3,500rpm. 

 The Malaysian specced Golf TSI still comes with the 1.4TSI turbocharged engine rather than the newer 1.5liter turbo - Think it is to standardise the engine size of Volkswagen cars in Malaysia - The Jetta, Tiguan comes with the 1.4liter TSI engine so parts similarity would mean easier availability of spares. 

The Golf R-Line comes with ‘Vienna’ leather seats instead of fabric seats which you see in the Sportline above, 17” Singapore alloy wheels instead of 16", 12.3” Active Info Display, 8” composition media with App- Connect as well as LED headlights with Static and Dynamic Cornering Lights.

Golf GTI

Price: RM239,990

 The Golf GTI features a new 2.0TSI turbocharged engine that is paired with a 6-speed wet clutch direct shift gearbox (DSG) powering the front wheels. Power is 230PS with 350Nm torque between 1,500 to 4,600rpm. 

The Golf GTI comes with GTI ‘Vienna’ perforated leather seats, 18” Milton Keynes alloy wheels, 12.3” Active Info Display, 8” Discover Media with App-Connect, LED headlights with Dynamic Cornering Lights, LED taillights with Dynamic Indicators and Adaptive Chassis Control (DCC) with driving mode selection.

Golf R

Price: RM295,990

The Golf R comes with a new 2.0TSI turbocharged engine and a 7-speed wet clutch direct shift gearbox (DSG). It makes 290PS and 380Nm of torque between 2,000 to 5,400rpm transferred via 4MOTION all-wheel drive system. 

The Golf R comes with the R ‘Vienna’ perforated leather seats, 19” Pretoria alloy wheels, 12.3” Active Info Display, 9.2” Discover Pro with App-Connect with Gesture Control, LED headlights with Dynamic Cornering Lights, LED taillights with Dynamic Indicators and progressive steering.

Right now, all Golf variants stated herein come with a 3 year (up to 45,000km) free maintenance, 5 year manufacturer's warranty. Terms and conditions apply, obviously.