Volkswagen Australia launches heavily upgraded Golf 7.5 Performance range


In brief

  • More power for Golf GTI, new GTI Performance Edition 1 and R models
  • Return of the iconic three-door body style for Golf GTI Performance Edition 1
  • Technology and infotainment upgrades on all performance Golfs as part of 7.5 model update
Blue Mountains, August 2017: Volkswagen Australia has launched a heavily revised and more potent performance Golf range, with three models joining the already lauded Golf 7.5 range of hatches and wagons.

As part of the Golf 7.5 upgrades that began with the launch of standard Golf hatch and wagon ranges, and the newly enhanced Golf Alltrack range in July, all performance Golfs benefit from the same suite of technology and infotainment advances premiered in the previous month.

Larger, high-resolution infotainment screens with the latest in connectivity, the availability of Active Info Display digital dashboard and an array of additional active and passive safety system are but just a portion of the Performance Golf range's evolution.

From launch, Volkswagen Australia has reinvigorated its iconic Golf GTI and Golf R models, as well as introducing a new take on the fan-favourite GTI Performance, the Golf GTI Performance Edition 1, which also heralds the return of the popular three door body style.






 

 

Golf GTI

In its new 7.5 guise, the Golf GTI has been extensively upgraded. Retaining such traditional fixtures as tartan upholstery and red grille trim, the model has been described as "one of the few cars that can legitimately be called 'iconic'", and now comes with:
  • 2.0 TSI 4-cylinder turbo engine (169kW/350Nm)
  • 6 speed manual or 6 speed DSG
  • Air Care dual zone climate control air conditioning
  • Keyless Access, keyless entry and starting system
  • Leather multi-function steering wheel with cruise control
  • Multi-Function Display (MFD Premium)
  • Discover Media 8" navigation system with App-Connect
  • LED interior ambient lighting
  • Rear View Camera (RVC)
  • 7 airbags
  • Driver Fatigue Detection system
  • Multi-collision brake
  • Extended Electronic Differential Lock (XDL)
  • 18" (Milton Keynes) alloy wheels
  • Adaptive chassis control with driving profile selection
  • Front Assist with City Emergency Brake (City EB)
  • Front fog lights
  • Automatic headlights and rain sensing windscreen wipers
  • Automatically dimming rear-view mirror
  • Parking distance sensors, front and rear
  • LED headlights with dynamic cornering
The Golf GTI can be upgraded with optional Infotainment, Drive Assistance and Luxury packages.






Golf GTI Performance Edition 1

The original performance hatch has returned in the shape in which it was conceived – Volkswagen's Golf GTI can once more be had in three door form.
As part of the renewed Golf 7.5 model line-up, 150 examples of the Volkswagen Golf GTI Performance Edition 1 will be released in August to coincide with the Australian launch of the standard Golf GTI and the Golf R.
"The hot hatch on which all others are implicitly based is the Golf GTI," Volkswagen Group Australia Managing Director Michael Bartsch said. "This version is one for the purists."
The three-door Golf GTI Performance Edition 1 is the first in a series of limited release GTI Performance variants foreshadowed last year by the Golf GTI 40 years, a run of 500 that rapidly sold out.
Available in either White Silver or Dark Iron Blue metallic paint, the Golf GTI Performance Edition 1 looks and feels every bit as special as the hotly demanded limited edition GTI models that came before it.
Key additional equipment above the 169kW GTI runs to:
  • 180kW/370Nm 2.0 TSI engine with 7 speed DSG
  • Front Differential Lock and larger disc brakes
  • 19" (Brescia) alloy wheels
  • Honeycomb microfleece/Leatherette upholstery
  • Premium LED tail lights with dynamic indicators
  • Active Info Display
  • Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
  • Lane Assist
  • Park Assist
  • Dynamic Light Assist
  • Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Traffic Alert
  • Dark tinted rear and rear side windows
  • White Silver Metallic and Dark Iron Blue Metallic paint
To further sate the appetite for the GTI's proud legion of loyal fans, each of the 150 cars comes with a complimentary Merchandise Pack of items from the GTI Collection. Valued at $340 it consists of sport bag, umbrella, cup, folding box and beach towel.






Golf R

The Golf R – Volkswagen's class- and sales-leading compact performance car – has never been faster or so luxurious.
In its renewed "7.5" form, Australia's favourite compact performance car now breaks the five second barrier for the 0-100km/h sprint when equipped with the new seven-speed DSG transmission and 213kW 2.0-litre turbo petrol four.
"You need not look too far into the past to find the time when 4.8 seconds was the preserve of a Porsche 911," Volkswagen Group Australia Director Michael Bartsch said. "It is extraordinary that a relatively affordable car not only attains this performance, but includes refinements and technologies that remain options in some prestige brands."
The previous Mk 7 206kW Golf R sold 353 units in this year to March 31, easily out-distancing performance compact cars from fellow German and Asian competitors.
The 7.5 version of the Golf R comes standard with:
  • 2.0 TSI 4-cylinder turbo engine (213kW/380Nm)
  • 4MOTION all-wheel drive
  • 6 speed manual or 7 speed DSG
  • Discover Pro 9.2" navigation system with App-Connect
  • Gesture control
  • Voice control
  • Active Info Display
  • Vienna leather appointed upholstery
  • Heated front seats
  • Electrically adjustable driver's seat with memory
  • Driver's electric lumbar adjustment
  • Power folding door mirrors with memory function
  • Dark tinted rear and rear side windows
  • Metallic/Pearl Effect paint
  • 19" (Spielberg) alloy wheels
  • Premium LED tail lights with dynamic indicators
  • LED headlights with dynamic cornering lights
  • Air Care dual zone climate control air conditioning
  • Keyless Access, keyless entry and starting system
  • Leather multi-function steering wheel with cruise control
  • Multi-Function Display (MFD Premium)
  • LED interior ambient lighting
  • Rear View Camera (RVC)
  • 7 airbags and Driver Fatigue Detection system
  • Multi-collision brake and XDL
  • Adaptive chassis control with driving profile selection
  • Front Assist with City Emergency Brake (City EB)
  • Front fog lights
  • Automatic headlights and rain sensing windscreen wipers
  • Automatically dimming rear-view mirror
  • Parking distance sensors, front and rear
R options are few, running to the Driver's Assistance package (which includes adaptive cruise control, Lane Assist and blind spot detection) and a panoramic sun roof.

Golf Performance Range Price List:

GOLF GTI 
GTI 6 speed manual $41,490
GTI 6 speed DSG$43,990
GTI Performance Edition 1$47,990
Options 
Metallic/pearl effect paint (GTI) $500
Driver Assistance package (GTI)$1,600
Infotainment package (GTI) $2,300
Luxury package (GTI)$3,900
Panoramic sunroof (Performance Edition 1)$1,900

GOLF R 
R 6 speed manual $52,990
R 7-speed DSG $55,490
Options 
Driver Assistance package $1,300
Panoramic sunroof$1,900
Prices subject to change without notice. The Recommended Retail Price is a suggested retail price only. It does not take into account cost savings which may be realised by dealers under The New Tax System. Dealers have an independent obligation to comply with the price exploitation provisions in the Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth), which may require them to adjust this RRP. Prices quoted are Manufacturer List Prices excluding dealer delivery charges, which may vary from dealer to dealer and statutory charges, which vary from state to state.


In detail

Sharper design, more power, more ingenious assistance systems, Golf performance models feature gesture control
Interactive electronics: high-end infotainment and automated driving functions
Power boosted: 7kW extra for GTI and R, 11kW for GTI Performance Edition 1
Key facts – the Performance Golf update in summary
  • Boosted: More power for all Performance Golf models
  • More intuitive: The 9.2-inch "Discover Pro" infotainment system with gesture control brings the user interface of the future into the car
  • Sharper: New bumpers, new radiator grilles and new full-LED tail lights as standard
  • More radiant: Brand new LED headlights replace all xenon headlights
  • More extensive features: Bigger screens, more convenience and safety technology than ever before.
As demonstrated with the arrival of the Golf 7.5 range in July 2017, Performance Golf customers are also treated to an armada of hardware and technology upgrades; getting a Golf with state-of-the-art engines, a sharpened design, highly ingenious assistance systems, a new generation of infotainment systems and extended features.

World's first compact car with gesture control
  • High-tech for everyone. All Golf 7.5 models are star-studded with technical innovations. Some examples: for the first time in the compact class, the new Discover Pro radio-navigation can be operated via gesture control. Sporting a 9.2-inch screen, it forms a single conceptual and visual unit with the new Active Info Display that is also new in the Golf.
Powerful, more refined design and new LED lights
  • LED replaces xenon. The more refined design of all of the new Golf models makes a more powerful impression than ever before. Design modifications include new bumpers front and rear, new LED daytime running lights, full-LED headlights – instead of xenon headlights, new front wings and, as already mentioned, new full-LED tail lights as standard for all Golf versions. New wheel designs and body colours round off the update of the exterior. New trim panels and materials also upgrade the interior of the Golf.

Exterior and Interior design heightened

A whole different beast: upgraded interior and exteriors for all Performance Golfs
Updated Golf GTI and R models have new bumpers, headlights and LED tail lights
Front: new, more aggressive bumpers with diffusers and new LED dual headlights
Rear: LED tail lights and sharpened bumper design with improved aerodynamics for an aggressive on-road stance
Interiors: iconic, but with a whole new technological-bent: bigger displays and digitised instrumentation

Exterior design – global bestseller refined in its details
The iconic design of the updated Golf has even more charisma with a number of new detailed solutions. The exterior design of the Golf, which has been systematically developed over a period of more than 40 years, has been consciously advanced to a new evolutionary level. That is because the success of the Golf – along with its technical concept and all-round qualities – has always been based on a design that is considered unmistakable and extends beyond class boundaries. This makes the Golf – the updated version included – the essence of Volkswagen.

Reinvigorating an icon: the Golf GTI front-end. As fans have come to expect of the GTI, the front end design plays a significant part in displaying the hot hatch's iconic look, and while the GTI in 7.5 guise has been tweaked, it is noless recognisable. The red strip sits prominently across the grille and into the headlight cluster, the lower front bar's diffusers and lower air intake frame the vehicle's nose, and the honeycomb grille and front fog lights bring the sporty look together.
Adding further differentiation, the GTI Performance Edition 1 carries with it the sleek look of a three-door body style, as well as heightened performance attributes: bigger, 19-inch wheels with larger disc brakes and red, GTI-branded callipers, and red 'GTI' badging, replacing the standard GTI's chrome treatment.

Tartan and tech: inside the GTI and GTI Performance Edition 1. What would a Golf GTI be without the iconic tartan seat trim? Fans of the much-loved hot hatch demand the GTI's heritage, and the Golf 7.5 version of the GTI and new GTI Performance Edition 1 do not disappoint.
Making its return to the Golf GTI 7.5, the popular 'Clark' tartan seat trim returns as standard fitment for the GTI, while the track-ready GTI Performance Edition 1 receives the unique Honeycomb 'Art Velours'/Leatherette seats with red highlights, tying in with another iconic aspect in the GTI's legend – the grille. Adding a new look to the interior is also refreshed GTI decorated dash inserts and a premium colour multi-function display. In essence, the GTI is every bit a fresh, modern sports car, with a loving nod to the past.

Power and purpose: the Golf R body styling. Aggressive, purposeful and yet elegant, the Golf R's exterior is built for function and stance on the road. Sitting squat on 19-inch 'Spielberg' alloy wheels, the Golf R has undergone a subtle update in the 7.5 upgrade, much like the GTI. Most notable in this upgrade is the inclusion of premium LED tail lights with dynamic indicators that make a 'swiping' motion while indicating. Coupled with the Golf R's quad exhausts at the rear, the uber-performance hatch poses a menacing figure on the road, hinting at the Volkswagen's fire-breathing 380Nm of pulling power and sub 5-second 100km/h sprint time.

An iron fist in a velvet glove: the Golf R's interior. Premium, technologically superior, and above all else, luxurious. The Golf R's plush interior blends Teutonic functionality with unrivalled elegance. The R's bolstered front bucket seats with R branding and blacked-out cockpit compliment the new raft of standard R technologies, including the premium 9.2-inch high definition Discover Pro media system and the Active Info Display on the instrument cluster. Unlike other Golfs, the R also takes full advantage of these new technology features, also offering a lap time and other performance-oriented data as part of its suite of functionality.

Standard Safety

High levels of standard safety equipment in all Performance Golfs
Front Assist with City Emergency Brake, Driver Fatigue Detection System and Multi Collision Brake all standard.

Performance and protection
All Performance Golfs in the new 7.5 range offer an upgraded suite of standard safety. Both Golf GTIs and the Golf R model offer as standard: Front Assist with City emergency Brake (City EB) function, a rear-view camera, the innovative Driver Fatigue Detection system, the Multi-Collision Brake system, an electro-mechanical parking brake with convenient Auto Hold, a low tyre pressure monitor, extended Electronic Differential Lock (XDL), seven airbags, the Electronic Stability Program with ABS, EBD, BA, EDL and ASR and front and rear parking sensors.
For those customers who wish to further specify their vehicle with even more safety and convenience features, the Driver Assistance package is available for GTI and R models.

Digitalised interior

Digital revolution democratises progress

Golf is the world's first compact car with gesture control
9.2-inch Discover Pro infotainment system controllable with gestures
Performance Golf range available with fully digital Active Info Display for the first time

Digitalised Golf – Active Info Display and gesture control
The update of the Golf range is especially distinctive in the interior. And the focus is less on the new trim panels in the doors, the gear shift panel, centre console or new seat covers. Rather it is the digitalised display and control concept that has been extended to more and more areas that make the new Golf one of the most progressive cars of its class. This is based on the Golf's new Active Info Display and a new infotainment system with gesture control. This makes the Golf the world's first compact class car to be available with gesture control. At the same time, Volkswagen has updated its whole range of infotainment systems. Its most important characteristics are their new sophisticated design, larger touchscreens and as mentioned above – for the top Discover Pro model – gesture control, which is being implemented for the first time in the Golf class.

Active Info Display – the fully digital cockpit

A new generation of instruments. Standard in the Golf R and included in the optional Infotainment Package for GTI models, the Golf's Active Info Display is a fully digitalised instrument cluster with numerous interactive functions. All of the instruments are displayed virtually via software on the 12.3-inch colour screen. The 1,440 x 540 pixel resolution enables extremely precise and sophisticated representation of all details. There are five different information profiles, in which the kind of information and graphics displayed changes in certain areas. The driver can select from a number of different profiles: A good example of the interactive elements of the Active Info Display is taken from the Navigation profile.

Here, the speedometer and rev counter are relocated to the sides to make more room for the navigation map in the middle. Information on driving, navigation and assistance functions can also be integrated into the graphic areas of the speedometer and rev counter, as necessary. Data such as telephone contact images and CD covers can also be displayed in the Active Info Display. The graphics are customised according to the model and, in the case of Golf performance models, play to the hot Golf's sporty attributes. Active Info Display is standard on the Golf R and GTI Performance Edition 1 models and is included in the optional Infotainment Package for GTI.

Latest generation MIB – with gesture control for the first time
World premiere. Gesture control celebrates its world premiere in the compact class with its debut in the updated Golf range, now extending to performance variants. It is available with the top system of the Modular Infotainment Matrix (MIB) – the Discover Pro – effective immediately.

From 6.5-inch to up to 9.2-inch screens. Volkswagen has replaced all previous infotainment systems in the Golf with a new generation of the MIB. All systems have a new design and larger touchscreens; however, the names of the infotainment systems have not changed. The previous Discover Media (incl. Navigation) came with 6.5-inch screens previously. They have also been replaced by systems with the same names, but with 8.0-inch screens and a resolution of 800 x 480 pixels. The top system, the Discover Pro (incl. Navigation), gets a 9.2-inch screen instead of an 8.0-inch screen; its resolution has been increased from 800 x 480 to 1280 x 640 pixels.
Discover Media. The Discover Media is standard on GTI and GTI Performance Edition 1 models. It is based on the Composition Media infotainment system, and features AUX-IN interfaces, a USB port (also compatible with Apple) a Bluetooth connection for mobile phones, a CD drive, satellite navigation, the innovative Media Control function, and two SD card slots. Updates to the navigation software are provided free-of-charge for the first five years.

Discover Pro. The top-of-the-line Discover Pro unit is included in the optional Infotainment Package for GTI models and is standard in the Golf R. Not only does the Discover Pro version of the MIB have a 9.2-inch display with a resolution that has increased from 800 x 480 pixels to 1,280 x 640 pixels, it has also been completely redesigned. In contrast to the previous iteration of this unit, the entire front is spanned by a stylish glass surface (also applies to the new Discover Media system). Conventional buttons and controls are a thing of the past with the Discover Pro; manual control is performed solely via the touchscreen and five capacitive surface buttons on the left side of the new infotainment system. This vertical bar contains the functions "Menu", "Home", "On/Off", "Louder" and "Quieter" – which are higher-level commands. That is because the driver should have immediate access to functions such as the volume control. The same applies to the capacitive surface button "Home", with which the driver can return in an instant from any sub-menu to the home screen.
  • Individually configurable home screen. In contrast to the previous version of the Discover Pro, the new system offers, for the first time, a home screen that drivers can now configure. Always arranged in a large field on the left side of the display is the navigation function; on the right two smaller fields are available, one above the other. Drivers can assign functions – that are particularly important to them personally – to these two display panels. The panels are also interactive – for instance the driver may position the radio or media library on the top panel and their phone favourites on the bottom panel.
  • Gesture, touch and voice control. As mentioned, the Discover Pro system is now operated by gesture control, touch functions and voice control. Of course, the new Discover Pro is also equipped with a proximity sensor that makes even more menu functions appear on the display when a hand approaches the screen. Despite a range of features and functions unparalleled by previous systems, the new infotainment system's operation remains intuitive and simple – as is typical of Volkswagen.
  • Gesture control. Gesture control works in various menus. A swipe gesture of the hand is all it takes to move the horizontally arranged menu items to the left or right. This enables the driver to scroll through the main menu, change radio stations, scroll forward or back through the playlist or browse in the Picture Viewer and in the music albums (CoverFlow). A light reflex and a visualised "hand symbol" indicate the contexts in which gesture control can be used. User operation is assisted by visual interactive feedback; a successfully executed swipe gesture is also acknowledged by a sound effect that may be deactivated.
  • Maximum features. The range of equipment offered with the Discover Pro system also includes an amplifier with 4x20 watts of output power, a DVD drive, one USB port (Apple compatible), two SD card slots, an AUX-IN port, an SSD drive with 10 GB of storage, a full range of music playback capabilities, a movie player, jukebox, podcast player, proximity sensor, voice control as well as navigation.
Apps for the Golf
App Connect. The latest generation Modular Infotainment Matrix creates the proper conditions for connecting the Golf with today's Apple and Android smartphones via App Connect. That is because along with MirrorLink (Android) App Connect integrates Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ (Google) into the infotainment systems.

Media Control. Volkswagen is offering an interface to the infotainment system for tablets (and smartphones) in the form of the Media Control app. The app can be used to control many infotainment system functions conveniently from a tablet. Passengers simply connect their tablet to the Discover Media or Discover Pro infotainment system via the WiFi hotspot. The systems that can be controlled include the radio, all audio and video sources (e.g. USB, CD, DVD, hard drive) as well as the navigation system. When music is selected, the Media Control menu displays information such as artist and album names, as well as an image of the cover. In addition to standard functions of the navigation menu, it is also possible to execute an Internet-based address search and use the results as destination inputs. Rear seat passengers can now also send the calendar events and address book entries of a tablet or smartphone to the infotainment system for use as navigation destinations. This makes Media Control a mobile extension of the infotainment system and an affordable Rear Seat Entertainment system for a new era.

Semi-automated assistance systems

Automated driving functions
More assistance systems in Golf than ever
New Dynamic Light Assist System ensures optimal on-road illumination

Golf protects driver, passengers and pedestrians better than ever
If there was ever a model series to democratise progress, then it has been the Golf in its first seven generations. Systems such as ABS, ESP and later the whole broad spectrum of assistance systems came to be accepted as normal features by millions of people the world over thanks to the affordable Golf. It was, for example, one of the first cars in the compact class with Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Front Assist with City Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Monitor, Rear Traffic Alert, Park Assist, Driver Alert System, reversing camera (Rear View), Automatic Multi-Collision Braking System. The updated Golf continues this tradition.

Dynamic Light Assist. Making its debut in the high-spec Golf GTI and Golf R in the optional Driver Assistance Package, Dynamic Light Assist offers optimal illumination of the roadway for even greater safety on the road. The system allows the main beam to be left on continuously without dazzling oncoming traffic. This unique feature is made possible by the headlight's masking function, which can partially dip that main beam headlights. The data provided to the headlights, which includes other road users and the street light, is captured by a camera on the interior mirror and relayed to the Dynamic Light Assistance System.

Lane Assist. Lane Assist: Lane Assist is a lane departure warning system that is designed to help reduce the likelihood of the vehicle leaving the road or crossing into an oncoming lane and therefore the risk of accident as a result of driver distraction or a lapse in concentration.

The Lane Assist system monitors the road ahead with the aid of a camera (located near the interior rear-view mirror) which recognises lane markings and evaluates the position of the vehicle. If the vehicle starts to leave the lane, the Lane Assist system takes corrective steering action. If this is not sufficient the driver is warned about the situation by a steering vibration and is asked to take over the steering. Additionally, if no active steering movements by the driver are recognised for longer than approximately 8 seconds, a message will appear in the Multi-Function Display in conjunction with a warning tone. Semi-automated assistance systems

The corrective steering function can be overridden by the driver at any time and the system does not react if the turn indicator is set before crossing a lane marking.

ACC speed range. The driving speed range has been extended for ACC. Instead of the previous 0 to 160 km/h, the Adaptive Cruise Control now covers a larger range, well in excess of highway speeds. While this feature will likely never be utilised in Australia, it speaks of the Golf's pure German heritage and its effortlessness in autobahn driving conditions.

Front Assist and City Emergency Braking
Safety in the city. The Front Assist ambient traffic monitoring system uses a radar sensor to detect critical distance situations and thus help to shorten the braking distance, reducing the risk of a rear-end collision. The traffic ahead is monitored constantly by the radar at the front. If a vehicle is detected ahead of you in the lane, the distance and the speed relative to it are calculated. If the gap is closing too fast, Front Assist initially warns the driver by means of an audible as well as a visual signal. At the same time, the brake pads are brought into contact with the brake discs and the sensitivity of the Brake Assist is increased. This primes the braking system for a possible emergency stop. Furthermore, an automatic jolt of the brakes warns the driver of the danger. If the driver also fails to react to the warning jolt, Front Assist brakes automatically, helping to avoid a collision or reduce the severity of the accident.

The City Emergency Brake (City EB) function is a radar based emergency braking system designed to help a driver avoid a low-speed crash or to reduce its severity. At vehicle speeds below 30km/h, City EB monitors the area ahead of the car for vehicles which might present a threat of collision. If a collision is likely, City Emergency Braking first pre-charges the brakes and makes the emergency Brake Assist system more sensitive: if the driver should notice the risk, the car is ready to respond more quickly to their braking action. However, if the driver still takes no action and a collision becomes imminent, City Emergency Braking independently applies the brakes very hard. If the driver intervenes to try to avoid the accident, either by accelerating hard or by steering, City EB will deactivate and allow the driver to complete the avoidance manoeuvre.
Park Assist 3.0 – semi-autonomous parking

Steers automatically. Park Assist makes it possible to park semi-autonomously in any parking space that is parallel or perpendicular to the carriageway; in addition, the system can exit from parallel parking spaces. For perpendicular parking spaces, not only is parking in reverse supported; it is also possible to park in a forward direction semi-autonomously. The first generation of Park Assist helped the driver by performing automated steering for parallel parking. The second generation of Park Assist added automatic steering for reverse parking into spaces perpendicular to the carriageway, and it could handle smaller parallel parking spaces. In addition, automatic exiting from parallel parking spaces was then also possible. The third generation of Park Assist, which is now offered in the Golf, also makes it possible to park forwards into parking spaces semi-autonomously.

Proactive occupant protection system (PreCrash) – best possible safety
Being prepared. The Golf is one of the first cars in its class to feature a proactive occupant protection system (PreCrash). The Golf update includes further refinement of the proactive occupant protection system. It also interacts intelligently with the Front Assist system to react to strong autonomous braking interventions and acute collision hazards to provide the best possible assistance for occupants in critical situations. If the proactive occupant protection system detects a potential accident situation – such as by the initiation of hard braking via an activated brake assistant – the seatbelts of the driver and front passenger are automatically pre-tensioned to ensure the best possible protection by the airbag and belt systems. When a highly critical and unstable driving situation is detected – such as severe oversteer or understeer with ESP intervention – the side windows and sunroof are also closed, except for a small gap. The reason: when the windows and roof are nearly closed, the head and side airbags absorb crash energy optimally and thereby achieve their best possible effectiveness.

Personalisation – individual settings are stored
ID is your key. The number of convenience and assistance systems increases with each new generation of vehicles. Many of these systems are individually adjusted, often by different drivers of the car. This means that drivers constantly have to restore their personal settings. To simplify this, Volkswagen has conceptualised a method of personalisation. It involves combining the individual settings for a driver into a user account and saving them. Drivers can now call up user management to quickly activate their individual user account, which in turn calls up their individual settings. Drivers simply identify themselves by their car key, which takes place when the Golf is unlocked. This activates initial settings such as adjusting the position of the driver's seat, which can now be saved using the memory function. An overview of settings that can be personalised in the Golf, depending on the specific equipment version:
  • Exterior mirrors (passenger side mirror lowered in R gear)
  • Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Front Assist
  • Infotainment (navigation, radio station sorting, volume settings for such features as radio, phone and media)
  • Automatic climate control system
  • Instrument cluster/multifunction display
  • Lane Assist
  • Light and Sight ("leaving home" and "coming home" functions, rain sensor)
  • Park Assist
  • Locking/unlocking
  • Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Traffic Alert
  • Driver's seat (for seats with memory function)

Engines and gearboxes perfected

More power for all Performance models

Golf R now cracks the 5-second barrier to 100km/h

Impressive gains over previous GTI Performance figures with Performance Edition 1

New heights of performance for upgraded Golf GTI and R models
Whether a customer prefers the unadulterated balance and poise of the GTI or the out-and-out blistering performance of the Golf R, enthusiasts are spoilt for choice with the upgraded Golf 7.5 performance range. All three models at the time of launch have received power boosts over the previous iterations to match the all-new heights of infotainment and assistance systems.

2.0 TSI with 169 kW. The 2.0-litre TSI with 169kW is offered exclusively for the Golf GTI, having previously been the state of tune for the Golf GTI Performance variant. The GTI can sprint to 100 km/h in just 6.4 seconds. With a manual gearbox the engine consumes just 6.7 l/100 km. The optional 6-speed DSG reduces fuel consumption to 6.6 l/100 km. Excellent fuel economy aside, perhaps the most impressive figure of the GTI's performance is the smooth delivery of torque, with 350Nm available from 1,500 – 4,600 rpm.

2.0 TSI with 180kW. Now, with the newly graded Golf GTI Performance Edition 1, the three door GTI is available exclusively with a new seven-speed DSG. The 2.0-litre turbocharged unit boasts 180kW and 370Nm from as low as 1,850rpm.

2.0 TSI with 213 kW. Offered as the pinnacle of performance in the Golf range, the Golf R also receives a 7kW boost as the standard GTI does. The Golf R is powered by a 2.0-litre TSI engine that makes 213kW and 380Nm of torque, good for a 0-100km/h time of 4.8 seconds with the standard 4MOTION allwheel drive system – a time previously the preserve of high-end sports and luxury cars triple the Golf R's price.

While being the most powerful Golf ever offered in Australia, the R still consumes fuel moderately, with a combined cycle of just 7.2 litres per 100km when equipped with the 7-speed DSG transmission, and 8-litres per 100km with the 6-speed manual.

New 7-speed DSG. Volkswagen has developed a new second 7-speed dual clutch gearbox (DSG) for the Golf R and GTI Performance. The new DSG is known internally as the "DQ 381". It was engineered for more powerful engines with torque figures starting at 340 Nm. Also available in high-output diesel models such as the Golf Alltrack 135TDI, the new DSG transmission is characterised by its smooth, fast shifts and lag-free take-off from a standstill: perfectly suited to the Golf R's 'bahn-storming turbocharged performance.

Optional Packages

Volkswagen customers are typically spoilt for choice with a wide range of high standard specification in all vehicles, and the Golf Performance range is no different. However, for those GTI and R customers who demand the best of everything, a range of competitively priced optional packages are available for Golf GTI, GTI Performance Edition 1 and Golf R models.

Driver Assistance Package (RRP $1,600 GTI/ $1,300 R)
For GTI and R models, the optional Driver Assistance Package offers a number of convenience features, including Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Lane Assist, Blind Spot Monitor, Rear Traffic Alert, Park Assist (not available for Golf R), Proactive occupant protection system and the new Dynamic Light Assist system.

Infotainment Package – GTI only (RRP $2,300)
Golf GTI customers can choose to equip the optional Infotainment Package to their vehicle, which brings the latest in technologies to the Golf's cockpit. The Package includes Active Info display, Discover Pro 9.2-inch satellite navigation system with gesture control and voice control, and a Dynaudio Excite 400W premium audio system with 10-channel digital amplifier and subwoofer.

Luxury Package – GTI only ($3900)
For Golf GTI customers who want the best of everything, the all-inclusive, Luxury Package combines capability with creature comforts, lifting the already impressive setup of the GTI exponentially. The package includes a panoramic electric glass sunroof, Vienna leather-appointed seats with electrically adjustable driver's seat with memory, heated front seats and power folding door mirrors with memory function.

Prices subject to change without notice. The Recommended Retail Price is a suggested retail price only. It does not take into account cost savings which may be realised by dealers under The New Tax System. Dealers have an independent obligation to comply with the price exploitation provisions in the Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth), which may require them to adjust this RRP. Prices quoted are Manufacturer List Prices excluding dealer delivery charges, which may vary from dealer to dealer and statutory charges, which vary from state to state.


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