The Golf is the heart of the Volkswagen brand – and it stands for the term “bestseller” like hardly any other model. More than 37 million vehicles have been sold in eight generations. Volkswagen is celebrating the popular model to mark its 50th birthday next year. After all, the Golf has not only shaped mobility in Germany, but also in many other regions all over the world. However, the company is not just looking back as part of the birthday celebrations: the world premiere of the new Golf will take place already at the end of January – and like its predecessors, it will bring numerous innovations into series production.

Most successful European car
It was an automotive revolution when Volkswagen presented the first Golf and thus the successor to the legendary Beetle in 1974: with front-wheel drive (instead of rear engine) and a variable overall concept thanks to the large boot lid and folding rear seat backrest. In addition, the straight-line design created by Giorgetto Giugiaro helped Volkswagen adopt a new style, which was also continued in its successors. The Golf quickly became a true “Volkswagen”, and the first million units were sold as early as 1976. More than 37 million vehicles have been delivered to date. This makes the compact car the most successful European car, the best-selling Volkswagen of all time – and an icon.

No matter which generation – the secret of success was and still is the sum of all its characteristics. This is because the Golf has always been a perfect companion for everyday life, embodying versatility, functionality, reliability and quality. Over the decades, the portfolio has been expanded to include further variants: whether Golf GTI, Golf Cabriolet or Golf Variant, or many others. With each new model generation, state-of-the-art technologies, safety concepts and convenience features have been incorporated into the compact class. The Volkswagen Golf has thus democratised not just technologies such as the monitored catalytic converter and anti-lock braking system, but also airbags, cruise control and electronic assist systems as well as mild and plug-in hybrid drives.

In the anniversary year 2024, Volkswagen will present the evolutionary development of the eighth Golf generation. It will impress with visually refined features, new assist systems and powertrains, and also next-generation infotainment systems and software. The world premiere of the new Golf is just a few weeks away, with pre-sales scheduled for spring 2024.

Keeping history alive Volkswagen Classic will also accompany the Golf in its anniversary year and will present historic Golf models from the Volkswagen collection on numerous occasions. From 31 January to 4 February 2024, the Golf Generations I to VII will enhance Volkswagen France’s presence at the “Salon Rétromobile” show in Paris. Directly afterwards, from 2 to 4 February 2024, Volkswagen will show a Golf I and the unique EA 276 concept car – the Golf predecessor from 1969 developed in Wolfsburg – at the “Bremen Classic Motorshow”.

Media information and stories about the Golf
Further information, numerous texts and image material on the Golf in its eight generations can be downloaded from the Volkswagen Newsroom. Additional background information, detailed information on the model history and many stories about the successful model can also be found at Volkswagen Classic.

Article source: www.volkswagen-newsroom.com

The latest generation of the Volkswagen exit warning system helps to avoid dangerous situations when exiting the vehicle in inner-city traffic. The assist system can warn the driver and passengers about road users approaching the parked Volkswagen from behind. For example, within system limits, the system can detect cyclists, who are often among the most vulnerable road users. In addition to the driver and front passenger doors, the exit warning system also provides protection for the rear doors. The new ID.7, new Passat and new Tiguan are equipped with this assist system as standard. In the Golf, ID.4 and ID.5, the technology is optionally available in a technically specific form.

The exit warning system in the new ID.7
The new ID.7 is equipped with the highest specification of the assist system. The exit warning system scans the area behind the Volkswagen via two rear radar sensors (on the left and right in the bumper) and informs the passengers of a danger before a door handle is even operated: if a road user is approaching, an LED light in the exterior mirror automatically lights up as the first warning level. If one of the door openers is nevertheless pressed, the door is also prevented from opening for a short period of time. If the door is opened, a warning signal sounds. Furthermore, the assist system remains active for three minutes after the Volkswagen has been parked and switched off in order to cover all passengers who exit the vehicle.

The exit warning system in the new Passat and new Tiguan

The exit warning system in the new Passat and new Tiguan functions in a very similar way to the ID.7: the system uses the LED light in the respective exterior mirror to inform the vehicle occupants if a road user is approaching from behind, even before the door handle is operated. If a door handle is nevertheless operated, the acoustic warning sounds via a speaker in that door. Since both models are equipped with mechanical door locks, the additional door opening delay feature from the ID.7 is not available.

The exit warning system is optionally available in the ID.4 and ID.5. It operates in almost the same way as in the ID.7. The only exception: in this case, the LED light in the exterior mirror is only activated in case of danger when the passengers operate one of the door handles. The other warning levels – the acoustic signal in the respective door and the electronic opening delay – are identical to those in the ID.7.

The first Volkswagen with an exit warning system was the current Golf. Here, the system works in a similar way to the ID.4 and ID.5. As with the Passat and Tiguan MQB models, the Golf is equipped with mechanical door locks, which means that the additional door opening delay feature is not available.

Article source: www.volkswagen-newsroom.com

The new ID.7 from Volkswagen has received the top score of five stars in the renowned Euro NCAP (European New Car Assessment Programme) safety test. This puts the all-electric limousine among the best-rated models of 2023 in the overall ranking by the independent European test organisation. With its five-star rating, the ID.7 joins the ranks of the other ID. models that have also received the highest award.

The Euro NCAP safety assessment is based on the results in four categories. The ID.7 achieved the best result in the 'Occupant protection for adults’ category with a rating of 95 per cent. Likewise, the ID.7 achieved excellent results for ‘Occupant protection for children’, ‘Protection of unprotected road users’ and the driver assist systems available as standard.

Good marks thanks to driver assist systems
Alongside occupant protection, Euro NCAP also examines how well automatic emergency braking systems can protect vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists in the event of an impending collision. The testers additionally attach great importance to other standard assist systems. The ID.7 Pro has the following systems on board:

• Oncoming vehicle braking when turning and swerve support
• Driver Attention Monitor and Driver Alert System
• Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
• Travel Assist, Lane Assist and Emergency Assist
• Memory function for Park Assist
• Autonomous Emergency Braking Front Assist with Pedestrian and Cyclist Monitoring
• Park Assist Plus including Park Distance Control
• Side Assist, Rear Traffic Alert and exit warning system
• Area View including rear view camera system
• Dynamic Road Sign Display

Another technology that every ID.7 in Germany has on board is Car2X. This allows the vehicle to communicate with other vehicles and the traffic infrastructure to exchange information about local hazards.

Article source: www.volkswagen-newsroom.com

The completely newly developed ninth generation of the Passat can now be ordered in the first countries in Europe. The model impresses with a new aerodynamic design, high quality and new high-efficiency drives. Deliveries of the new Passat, which is offered exclusively as a spacious Variant model, will start in the first quarter of 2024. With more than 34 million units sold so far, the Passat is one of the bestsellers of the Volkswagen brand.

New top Volkswagen duo in the mid-sized class: with the Passat and the likewise new all-electric ID.7, Volkswagen will offer two ultra-modern product lines in the high-volume mid-sized class in future. The new Passat is available with the complete spectrum of petrol (TSI), diesel (TDI), mild hybrid (eTSI) and plug-in hybrid (eHybrid) drive systems. With an electric range of up to 100 km and a DC fast charging function, the optimised eHybrid models bridge the gap to electric mobility – they are designed for all drivers who want to cover short and medium distances under electric power but want to complete long journeys without stopping to a charge. At the market launch, the new Passat will initially be offered with engines from the particularly successful 110 kW class (150 PS). In addition to a Passat “Business” 1.5 eTSI (from 44,995 euros), the entry-level version – the Passat eTSI – will also be available soon from 39,995 euros. Both are equipped with a mild hybrid drive (48-volt technology), which is used for the first time in this model series. Also on offer: a 110 kW (150 PS) 2.0 TDI (from 48,495 euros) with extensive standard equipment.

Largest Passat of all times: thanks to its generous space, the new Volkswagen breaks down all the usual class boundaries. The 50 mm longer wheelbase compared with the predecessor benefits above all the legroom in the rear. With its significantly enlarged luggage compartment capacity of up to 1,920 litres (previously 1,780 litres), the new Passat is the perfect all-rounder for business and leisure.

Next-generation interior: Volkswagen has completely re-designed the high-quality interior. The clearly structured, large display landscape is characterised by the standard 32 cm (12.9 inch) display, optionally available up to 38 cm (15 inches). The technical basis for this is the latest-generation modular infotainment matrix (MIB4). The new Passat shares the menu structure and graphic design with the all-electric ID. models, among others. The Passat additionally sets new standards in terms of comfort. This is particularly true in the case of the optional new adaptive chassis control (DCC Pro). Thanks to the use of two-valve shock absorbers in a Volkswagen for the first time, this system permits an unusually large spread between dynamics and comfort. The new Passat is also equipped with a Vehicle Dynamics Manager for the first time. This standard system ensures especially neutral, stable, agile and precise handling. The excellent long-distance driving comfort is enhanced further by the optionally available ergoActive seats with a new, pneumatic pressure point massage function.

Basic specification with high level of standard equipment: the new Passat can be configured in the four equipment lines “Passat”, “Business”, “Elegance” and “R-Line”. They have all been significantly enhanced compared with previous versions. Thebasic specification “Passat” already includes features such as the new MIB4 display, Car2X warning system, App Connect (wireless Apple and Android integration), automatic air conditioning, USB-C ports with 45 W charging capacity at the front, black roof rails, LED headlights, LED tail light clusters and numerous assist systems.

These standard systems include:

• Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
• Side Assist (lane change assist)
• Front Assist (Autonomous Emergency Braking)
• Lane Assist (lane keeping system)
• oncoming vehicle braking when turning function
• Park Distance Control (acoustic and visual warning signals at the front and rear)
• Rear View (rear view camera system)
• Dynamic Road Sign Display

“Business” specification for frequent drivers: In view of the fact that the Passat is one of the most successful company cars in Europe, Volkswagen is also offering the optional “Business” specification in the new generation. From the outside, this model can be recognised by chrome trim on the side windows, silver-anodised roof rails and chrome elements at the front and rear, among other things. In Germany, dark privacy glass is added for the rear windows. On the inside, the Passat Business is characterised, among other things, by seat covers in ArtVelours, own interior applications, partially electric seats with massage function, additional 45-watt USB-C ports in the rear and three-zone automatic air conditioner. Systems such as Light Assist (automatic lighting control, Park Assist (assisted driving into and out of parking spaces) and Travel Assist (partially automated driving) additionally come as standard. Also standard in Germany is the new IDA voice assistant. This can be used to control functions such as navigation or to ask general knowledge questions to obtain information such as a weather forecast, for example.

“Elegance” and “R-Line” as the top versions: Volkswagen has positioned the “Elegance” and “R-Line” versions above the “Business” equipment line. With these specifications, the Passat can be made either more stylish (“Elegance”) or more dynamic (“R-Line”), depending on preference. Compared to the Business version, both lines share additional equipment details such as:

• the new-generation IQ.LIGHT LED matrix headlights with high-performance main beam (range of up to 500 m)
• LED tail light clusters with dynamic turn signals
• seat heating
• extended seat massage (12 instead of three pneumatic massage elements)
• keyless locking and starting system Keyless Access
• electrically operated boot lid
• 30-colour background lighting
• IDA voice control (for all markets)
• the new Park Assist Plus with memory function
• Dynamic Light Assist main-beam control system

The Passat R-Line is equipped with sports seats with integrated head restraints. In the top-of-the-range R-Line Signature model, the roof pillar trims and headliner are finished in dark ArtVelours in the Passat R-Line. These features are complemented by matching aluminium decorative trims with a dark anodised finish. “Puglia” leather that has been sustainably tanned with olive-leaf extract is optionally available – this made its debut in the premium-class Touareg. The front and rear ends of the Passat R-Line have a sporty R design. Its roof and the exterior mirror caps have a sporty Black paint finish.

Optional 19-inch alloy wheels. Further custom features of the top models include specific 17-inch alloy wheels (optionally 18-inch) for the Passat Elegance and 18-inch alloy wheel rims for the R-Line version. Both top versions can also be optionally ordered with 19-inch alloy wheels.

Articles source: www.volkswagen-newsroom.com