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GOLF
- A classic in the making. This sporty looking number is fast becoming
a modern immortal in the annals of motoring history. She features
18" alloys and suitably low profile tyres that improve cornering
in the dry, but be careful in the wet. The sign writing on this car was courtesy
of SignTek in Eastbourne.
She is being used as transport for welding plant and other duties in
connection with the SeaVax ocean cleanup project. The MKIV is arguably one of the best looking
of the family that has provided reasonably priced motoring to millions
of households. This photograph and the design on the car are Copyright
© Bluebird
Marine Systems Ltd 11 November 2016. You will need the permission
of BMS Ltd to reproduce this picture.
The Volkswagen Golf or VW Golf GTI is a small family car produced by the
German manufacturer Volkswagen since 1974, marketed worldwide across seven generations, in various body configurations and under various nameplates – as the Volkswagen Rabbit in the
United States and
Canada (Mk1 and Mk5), and as the Volkswagen Caribe in Mexico (Mk1).
The original Golf Mk1 was a front-wheel drive, front-engined replacement for the air-cooled, rear-engined, rear-wheel drive Volkswagen Beetle. Historically, the Golf is claimed to be Volkswagen's best-selling model and the world's second best-selling model, with more than 29 million built by 2012.
Most production of the Golf was initially in the 3-door hatchback style. Other variants include a 5-door hatchback, station wagon (Variant, from 1993), convertible (Cabriolet and Cabrio, 1979–2002, Cabriolet, 2011–present), and a Golf-derived notchback sedan, variously called Volkswagen Jetta, Volkswagen Vento (from 1992) or Volkswagen Bora (from 1999). The cars have filled many market segments, from basic personal cars, to high-performance hot hatches.
The Volkswagen Golf has won many awards throughout its history. The Volkswagen Golf won the
World Car of the Year in 2009 with the Volkswagen Golf Mk6 and in 2013 with the Volkswagen Golf Mk7. The Golf is one of only three cars, the others being the
Renault Clio and Opel/Vauxhall Astra, to have been voted
European Car of the Year twice, in 1992 and 2013. The Volkswagen Golf has made the Car and Driver annual 10 Best list multiple times. The Golf Mk 7 won the Motor Trend Car of the Year award in 2015, and the Mk1 GTI also won the award in 1985 (due to it being built in Pennsylvania.)
THE
MKIV
The Golf Mk4 was first introduced in August 1997, followed by a notchback version (VW Bora or, in North America, again VW
Jetta) in August 1998 and a new Golf Variant (estate) in March 1999. There was no Mk4-derived Cabriolet, although the Mk3 Cabriolet received a facelift in late 1999 that comprised bumpers, grill and headlights similar to those of the Mark 4 models.
As had happened with the earlier three versions of the Golf, the UK market received each version several months later than the rest of Europe. The hatchback version was launched there in the spring of 1998 and the estate some 12 months later (around the same time as the
Bora).
New high-performance models included the 3.2 L VR6-engined four-wheel-drive Golf "R32" introduced in 2002, its predecessor the 2.8 L VR6-engined "Golf V6 4Motion" (succeeding the 2.9 L Mk3 "Golf VR6
Syncro"), as well as use of the famous 1.8T (turbo) 4-cylinder used in various Volkswagen Group models.
As of 2008, certain variants of the Golf/Bora Mk4 were still in production in Brazil, China, and
Mexico. Revised versions of the Mk4 were sold in Canada marketed as the Golf City and Jetta City from 2007 to 2010. The two models were VW Canada's entry-level offerings. They received a significant freshening for the 2008 model year, including revised headlamps,
taillamps, front and rear fascias, sound systems, and wheels. Both models were offered only with the 2.0 L, 8-valve SOHC four-cylinder gasoline
engine, rated at 86 kW (115
bhp). They were the only entry-level offerings with an optional six-speed automatic. Production of the European variant of the Golf Mk4 ceased at the end of the 2003 model year. Production of the U.S version ended in 2006.
When the Chinese market Bora received a July 2006 facelift, the Golf did too, becoming the
"Bora HS" in the process.
The MK4's popularity and low cost has allowed it to remain in production in several countries, including
Brazil and
Argentina, with minor
cosmetic changes.
WORKHORSE
- Fitted with a towbar and soon a roof rack, this car has already
hauled umpteen bags of sand and cement, concrete blocks, paints, tools
and other parts and equipment in connection with the SeaVax ocean
cleanup project. She was in a mess when Bluebird Marine got her. She
needed a camshaft belt change, front wishbones and a wheel bearing,
front discs, new headlights and a complete valet inside, because the
previous owners may have been smokers or owned a dog - according to
the incredibly efficient mobile service that cleaned her up. The front
indicator was also troublesome because the wiring harness had chafed
just under the battery tray, parting three wires and almost two
others. These were repaired with new wire inserts and a really hot
soldering iron. If you attempt such repair, make sure to fully
insulate each wire with a good quality pvc tape. You should also
stagger the joins so that repaired sections do not meet other repaired
sections and refit the outer corrugated plastic protector. This photograph and the design on the car are Copyright
© Bluebird
Marine Systems Ltd 11 November 2016. You will need the permission
of BMS Ltd to reproduce this picture.
MK7
GOLF
The Volkswagen Golf has been facelifted for the 2017 model year. VW has given its family hatchback a mild styling refresh and significant changes under the skin where improved infotainment and connectivity, along with better
fuel economy from more efficient engines, should keep the VW Golf ahead of the pack. The new Golf mk7.5 is due on sale in the UK early in 2017 with prices from around £17,000.
Volkswagen insiders are referring to the new Golf as ‘Mk 7.5’ instead of the full-spec Mk8 - but while the external differences are mild and evolutionary, and big components like the chassis remain essentially unchanged, there are significant upgrades as the embattled manufacturer tries to win back consumer confidence with its best-known model.
2017 ENGINE RANGE
The engine line-up gets a rejig, and a new arrival in the shape of a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol producing 148bhp. This unit is the second in the history of the Golf to be offered with Active Cylinder Management, technology that allows it to shut down cylinders to save fuel when the car is cruising. VW also says an eco-focused version of the same engine, with Bluemotion badging and a more modest output of 129bhp, is under development.
At the top of the Golf range, meanwhile, the GTI hot hatchback gets a revised engine with more power. The ‘regular’ GTI now produces 227bhp, while the Performance edition moves up to 241bhp.
The final mechanical tweak comes in the gearbox line-up, where VW has announced that it plans to phase out the six-speed dual-clutch DSG transmission across the range and replace it with a seven-speed unit.
FACELIFT
DESIGN CHANGES
VW rarely gets radical with the Golf’s looks, so this mid-life face-lift brings only a mild rethink on styling. There are tweaks to the front-end design, with the option of
LED headlights and different air intakes in the lower bumper. At the rear, every Golf will now get LED tail-lights as standard, and higher-end editions will feature animated ‘flowing’ indicators.
Inside, there are new patterns of seat covers, plus new materials in the dashboard, door panels and centre console. Cabin space and boot capacities will remain unchanged, because the car and its wheelbase haven’t grown at all.
The revised Golf models - three-door, five-door, GT, GTI, GTE and estate - are due to go on sale in February, with first deliveries starting in April. VW hasn’t announced any prices yet but we’d expect at worst a small increase over the existing car; that would give the entry-level three-door hatchback a figure of around
£18,000.
INFOTAINMENT
In particular, the Golf gets noticeable upgrades in its infotainment systems. It will now be offered across the range with the option of ‘Active Info Display’ - the same digital instrument panel that we’ve already seen on various Audis and VW’s own Passat.
Every Golf will get a colour central dashboard screen of at least 6.5 inches in size, and the resolution of that display is double that of the most basic (black and white) system in the existing car.
The existing 6.5-inch screen-based systems move up to eight inches, while the range-topping Discover Pro set-up grows from eight inches to 9.2 inches, and from 800x480 pixels to 1280x640 pixels. Discover Pro also brings voice commands and, in what VW claims is a first for this size of car, gesture control for some of its key functions. The system itself also gets a software upgrade, with a configurable homepage and the ability to swipe through items like album covers.
WELDING
RIG - Seen here parked outside their tank test facilities, the
Golf
is hitched to a trailer/generator combination to provide portable
power to a beach location where a giant amphibious
vehicle will launch the SeaVax ocean dustcart. The BMW
i3 is seen in the distance. The i3 is one of the most economical and
climate friendly cars on the marker today. Volkswagen
also produce an electric
car that we would like to review and Tesla
are bringing down the cost of some of their models and pioneering
cartridge exchange, taking over where Better
Place left off. These photographs and the design on the car are Copyright
© Bluebird
Marine Systems Ltd 11 November 2016. You will need the permission
of BMS Ltd to reproduce these pictures.
UK
VEHICLE INSURANCE ONLINE A - Z
No
matter what car, van or bike you drive, we're all looking for great
value and quality in our UK motor insurance? But who is the best
- who is the cheapest and who offers great service in the event of
a claim?
See
the insurance companies below who claim to offer competitive cover at
sensible prices, our
guide to the jargon and tips for cutting your quote - Good
Luck:-
LINKS
http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/volkswagen/e
http://www.volkswagen.co.uk/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_Golf
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/volkswagen/golf/91568/new-2017-vw-golf-specs-pics-video-and-release-date
Is
this the
world's fastest electric car: 350mph + using energy from nature. Time
will tell...
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