Volkswagen Golf 2004 Review

OVERVIEW
The fifth generation Golf marks the biggest evolutionary change in both design and technical content since the first Volkswagen Golf rolled into Australia in 1976. That model was a 1600cc three-door priced at just $5351 new. Today we have five doors, though the engine's size remains the same, and a price more than five times that amount.

Okay, it's not that simple, not by a long shot. Golf V is so vastly superior to the first model that we hesitate to start any comparison. Instead let's look at the improvements over the model it replaces, the Golf IV that sold from September 1998 to July 2004.

Most noticeable is the new exterior styling which embraces curves instead of angles. It's not love-at-first-sight, but the Golf's classy new clothes do grow on you over time.

Dimensionally the Golf is the biggest it's ever been: we're talking 54mm longer, 24mm wider and 46mm taller than before. Interior space is said to be the big winner, though on-road dynamics will be helped by the bigger footprint.

This time around the Golf leans heavily on sister company Audi for much of its technology, including the car's basic structure. In the short term Audi will only sell a three-door A3, and Volkswagen will only sell a five-door Golf, but don't expect this body-style exclusivity to last.

Volkswagen is expected to add a three-door high performance GTi model to the range in 2005, most likely with a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine producing 147kW & 280Nm. Price? Too early to confirm, but we're guessing mid-$30,000s.

Late in 2005 or -- more likely -- 2006, a replacement for the all-wheel drive R32 Golf will arrive. Engine details are sketchy, though the current 177kW 3.2-litre V6 will be substituted for something with more cubes, more power and even more performance.

FEATURES
The importance of the Golf to Volkswagen's business cannot be underestimated. Globally it accounts for more than one-third of all Volkswagens sold, and Australian Volkswagen sales are more than one-half Golf. Did you know that Volkswagen has sold more than 23 million Golfs in 30 years, making it the company's biggest seller of all time -- outstripping even the popular Beetle.

Volkswagen Group Australia will offer no less than 14 models as part of the Golf V range at launch. All are five-door hatchbacks, while engines vary from 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre FSI four-cylinder petrol versions to 1.9 and 2.0-litre turbodiesel fours. Transmissions include a 5- and 6-speed manual, 6-speed automatic and the revolutionary 6-speed DSG (Direct Shift Gearbox) automatic.

Equipment levels across the range include the basic Trendline, mid-spec Comfortline and top-spec Sportline. All models come standard with driver and front passenger airbags, electric windows and mirrors, remote central locking and air-conditioning.

Pricing ranges (at launch in August 2004) from $25,490 for the 1.6-litre, 5-sp manual Trendline to $35,290 for the 2.0-litre Tiptronic Sportline.

COMFORT
There's very little to criticise with the Golf. The steering wheel adjusts for height and tilt, and the seat adjusts likewise, which makes for a good driving position. There's a couple of cupholders and door pockets, as well as a sizeable glovebox to take care of oddments storage.

The cruise control system on our car took a little getting used to, but functions well once you know how. Visibility is good in all directions, and the Golf's compact size makes it easy to park in tight spaces.

Room in the back seats is adequate without being spacious, and the seats fold down to enlarge an already decently-sized boot.

SAFETY
'Tis a wonderful safety story Golf has to tell, headlined by no less than 12 star performance in the European New Car Assessment Program -- which crashes vehicles into barriers to assess their occupant protection skills.

Okay, 12's a bit of a joke, especially since it's out of five, but if VW's marketing dept says so, then... No. Five stars for frontal and side impact occupant protection, four stars for child protection and three stars for pedestrian protection. Very safe.

It does this with no less than six airbags -- two front, two front-side, and two curtain airbags -- and three-point lap-sash seatbelts in all five seating positions. The Golf's body structure is now 80 per cent more rigid than before, thanks to manufacturing technology new to Golf.

In addition to this, the driver's pedals retract upwards in a frontal collision, reducing the severity of injuries to the driver's legs.

Active safety includes four-wheel disc brakes with antilock, electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist. Traction control is standard on all models,

MECHANICAL
Four engines are available on Australian Golfs, hooked to no less than five different transmissions. All are front-wheel drive and all petrol models request 95RON premium unleaded.

First up the 1.6-litre four cylinder, which produces 75kW/145Nm, and is available with a five-speed manual or six-speed automatic gearbox. Volkswagen claims a 0-100km/h time of 11.4 seconds and a fuel consumption average of 7.5litres/100km.

Second is the 2.0-litre FSI four-cylinder petrol engine. FSI stands for Fuel Stratified Injection, and refers to the fuel injection system. VW claims a cleaner burn, more efficient performance and optimum fuel economy as a result.

The engine produces 110kW/200Nm, is capable of propelling the 1240kg Golf from rest to 100km/h in 8.8sec and drinks just 8.0litres/100km. Gearbox options include a six-speed manual and six-speed automatic.

Volkswagen will offer two different diesel engines, despite expecting less than one-in-ten to opt for the oil burners. First up is a 1.9-litre, turbocharged four-cylinder engine which produces 77kW/250Nm and sips diesel at the leisurely rate of just 5.5litres/100km -- that's good for 1000km between fills of its 55litre tank. Melbourne to Sydney anyone?

Then there's the more powerful 2.0-litre, turbocharged four-cylinder diesel, which boosts power and torque to 103kW/320Nm. It drinks just 2/10th of a litre more per 100km and accelerates from rest to 100km/h nearly two seconds quicker (9.3 vs 11.1) than the 1.9 diesel.

Gearbox choices for both diesel engines include six-speed manual and VW's brilliant six-speed DSG gearbox. Let's take a closer look at DSG.

Direct Shift Gearbox essentially uses two clutch assemblies, each on its own shaft. In very simple terms the next gear is poised, ready and waiting to engage the millisecond the previous gear is released. This reduces gearchange times to hundredths of a second, leaving occupants practically clueless to every change. Without the drop in engine noise and plummeting tacho needle, even the driver would be oblivious, so smooth is the change.

COMPETITORS
Volkswagen's aiming the Golf at what it calls the premium compact hatchback market. First level competition comes from Peugeot 307, Holden Astra, Ford Focus, Renault Megane and Mazda 3. It's a close-fought segment, and which is better depends heavily on how you value the different disciplines: performance, value, safety and practicality.

For our money, we'd put the Golf on the test drive list every time.

Second level competition would include Nissan Pulsar, Citroen C3, Mitsubishi Lancer, Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla and Subaru Impreza.

ON THE ROAD
Volkswagen's previous Golf left us feeling very little indeed. It did nothing badly, but excelled at nothing, either. Generation V addresses this mediocrity with an outstanding performance. The 1.9-litre and 2.0-litre engines we drove at the launch are really impressive and the DSG gearbox is a real delight.

None of the engines can be described as powerful, but they're on the better side of adequate and deliver good, strong performance across the rev range. The 1.6-litre petrol engine will rarely trouble the traction control system, but for around town use it's more than capable.

Perhaps the biggest surprise is the Golf's civilised ride. Independent suspension all round easily coped with bumps and irregularities -- even one nasty dip on our favourite test loop. Where the last model bottomed out noisily, this time around the Golf coped without complaint.

One complaint we do have is the din kicked up by the tyres on coarse chipped country roads. At a constant 100km/h the tyre noise is intrusive, more so than wind noise off the A-pillars and windscreen header.

The balloon tyres fitted to the 1.9-litre diesel we drove also dulled steering turn in, though Volkswagen's new electromechanical power steering system does an admirable job of keeping mid-corner bumps from the steering wheel without impinging too much on feel and feedback.

BOTTOM LINE: Expensive, but you get what you pay for

It was straight to the top of the pile for this tester's first taste of the latest Golf, stepping into the second-most-expensive version available fitted with 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, six-speed manual 'box and sports suspension. Not surprisingly, after 400-plus kilometres there was little to criticise about this up-market family hatch.

Underwhelming at first sight our silver-grey test car's soft new curves serve to freshen up rather than radically tinker with the style of one of Europe's most successful models.

Similiarly, the grey, uninspiring interior (fitted with optional leather) hardly set the pulse racing. Instead it's a lesson in build quality and ergonomics, with all switches and gauges clear and accessible and clever use of available space, right down to the inside door-mounted cup holders. The optional sports seats are worth the extra money, while the powerful air-con and quality CD stereo also impressed.

The extra interior space is also welcome, particularly at the rear where two or even three sets of long legs can now be comfortably accommodated provided the front seats are not pushed right back. Boot space is exceptional for a small hatch, swallowing a full load of weekly groceries or the obligatory golf clubs and buggy.

The refined and willing 2.0-litre direct injection engine will appeal to those who enjoy fuss-free motoring. It's almost silent at idle, and even at full throttle emits a distant, electric motor-like whirr. Nonetheless acceleration is brisk and satisfying, the manual box shifts cleanly and steering and brakes are comparable with the competition.

The sports suspension offers a firm but comfortable ride, soaking up bumps without the disconcerting jolts felt in some sporty Euro hatches. With its lowered ride, firmer springs and shocks and meaty 16-inch tyres the Sportline-spec Golf is poised and confident in corners, with little body roll and excellent grip even in the wet.

Fuel economy is another good story -- we averaged 8.7l/100km during a combination of city and highway driving -- although compulsory premium unleaded reduces some of the appeal.

The only question mark concerns value for money. Although well-equipped, super-safe and blessed with Audi-like engineering and refinement, $35,000-plus is big money for a small Euro hatch, even one with sporting aspirations.

But view it as a cut-price Audi or feature-packed, albeit compact family car, and it makes a compelling case.