Volkswagen Golf 2017. Theory of evolution

If it were a product of nature instead of a car, it would be a perfect example for the demonstration of the evolution of the species. As in Darwin's theory, the Golf evolves improving in all aspects, but always keeping a faithful memory of its original genes.

Now comes the seventh generation of the model, whose international presentation has taken place on the island of Mallorca. The vehicle is already available in markets with three and five-door body and the Variant family version. In Spain, it sells for 20,150 euros, in a three-door version, equipped with the 110-horsepower TSI petrol engine, and for another 650 euros in the five-door model.

With diesel TDI of 115 horses, the prices start from 23,040 euros. As is already tradition, each Golf bears a resemblance to the previous one, but it is more current and more modern, an evolution that seems simple but is not. On this occasion, the designers focused on the bumpers, the front wings and the groups of front and rear lights so that, especially the front, you get a powerful and attractive image. And without a doubt it is new without betraying its genes. It has been used to change xenon lights by LED technology, much more efficient, durable and with less consumption.

Obedient to the gesture

The biggest update features have to be found in the interior and in this case, as the manufacturer proposes, in the handling of digitalization in many more areas than before. The center of this improvement is found in the new Digital Cockpit screen and its new infotainment system with gesture control. All instruments are displayed virtually on a 12.3-inch color screen, with five information profiles, such as Classic, Consumption and autonomy, Efficiency, Performance, and Driving assistance and Navigation. For example, in the Navigation profile, speed indicators and tachometers are moved to the sides to provide greater visual space to the navigation map.

The control of these systems by driver gestures is accessible from the top termination Discover Pro. The control is performed with a sweep of the hand to move the menus up or down, right and left and, when the movement has occurred successfully, a sound confirms it.

Of course, the new Golf has all the connections with the current smartphones through the App-Connect platform. In addition, the brand will offer, for the first time, a package of services that includes emergency calls and assistance, as well as the maintenance plan and car reviews.

Help in traffic jams

In the Golf equipped with automatic change-option that, as you know, I always recommend-the new model offers the semiautonomous driving system in traffic jams, based on the rail maintenance system and the automatic distance regulation. Up to a speed of 60 kilometers per hour, assisted longitudinal and transverse guidance is possible, so that the car can autonomously perform steering, acceleration and braking maneuvers, but only under the condition that the driver keeps his hands on the car. flyer and can intervene at any time if necessary.

Another of the new functions of the Golf is the emergency assistance system, which acts when it detects that the driver does not perform its functions on the steering, accelerator or brake. In this case the system initiates a process to warn you through several levels of scaling and, if the driver does not react and performs the necessary maneuvers to avoid a collision by reach, the vehicle acts autonomously.

There are many other assistances in the new model and perhaps one of the most striking is the maneuver of reversing with trailer, which sometimes is complicated because it is necessary to turn the steering wheel in the opposite direction in which we want the trailer to move.

As you can see, the new Golf is once again a point of reference in its segment. It is the reason that of this model more than 33 million units have been registered since birth.

The range of engines is very wide, in gasoline and diesel, and it can be said that in all there is something new to make it more efficient. It should be noted that the TSI gasoline basic model will be offered for the first time with turbocharging, which develops 110 horsepower
and 200 Nm and the automatic double clutch transmission goes from six to seven speeds for greater energy efficiency and improved performance.

DATA SHEET

Engines: Gasoline TSI 1.0 of 110 CV, 1.4 of 125 CV and 2.0 of 230 CV. Diesel TDI 1.6 115 HP and 2.0 150 HP.
Transmission: 6 speed manual and automatic 7-speed DSG
Brakes: Disks in both axes.
Address: Zipper with electric assistance depending on the speed.
Benefits: Maximum speed, from 175 to 190 km / h.
Dimensions: (length / width / height) 4.25 / 1.80 / 1.50 meters.
Capacities: Trunk 380 / 1,270 liters. Fuel, 50 liters
Prices: From € 20,150 in gasoline and € 23,040 in diesel.