Golf rollout to span two years
Golf range roll-out will span almost two years with a swathe of variants in the pipeline, including a new Golf RVolkswagen has promised its new Golf range will expand exponentially over the next two years with a broader model mix, greater engine selection and an all-new 4MOTION all-wheel-drive performance model.
Speaking at the international launch of the Golf Mark VII, Volkswagen new marketing boss and ex-Skoda man, Jurgen Stackmann, told motoring.com.au that as well as an expanded choice of powertrains, a new performance diesel and range-topping AWD Golf R are certainties for the future of the model.
“There are a few cars I can’t talk about and a few cars that I can,” Mr Stackmann told motoring.com.au.
It appears the new R is in the former category. Indeed, when questioned regarding a replacement for current R AWD Golf, Mr Stackmann announced enthusiastically “yes”, before a minder gave him a nudge in the arm. He then revised his answer to say “I would not exclude that”.
On other models, Mr Stackmann was more candid.
“Obviously there's the new GTI -- which is a fantastic car. It will be 'bigger' than what it was -- bigger in terms of what it does to the people driving it.”
By bigger, Mr Stackmann suggests that the car is improved, saying a brief drive of a prototype model in the days leading up to the Paris Motor Show revealed a chassis he says is “fantastic".
As well as a high-output front-drive petrol model, we can also expect an equally impressive diesel model in the form of a new GTD. Mr Stackmann explaining that the model is especially important in diesel-biased European markets.
“GTD is going to be another important model for many important [European] markets,” emphasised Mr Stackmann.
“We have many markets in Europe which are 80 per cent diesel mix now. They’re actually geared up by GTD ideas... And there are more versions to come.”
Mr Stackmann also explained that we could expect to see a variety of engine choices and body styles leveraged from Volkswagen’s new modular architecture. This will include more low output petrol and diesel variants aimed at markets not especially driven by performance... And a few more “exciting” models for those that are.
“We have 98 markets selling Golf and we believe this Golf will represent the next generation of fascination for our competitors. It’s futureproof,” exclaimed Mr Stackmann.
“We will deliver a family of cars going into 2013 when we will have GTI, GTD and more technologies to come at the back end of the year. The Golf story will go on from now until 2014, at least,” he said.
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