New VW Golf set to March on in 2020

It is expected here at the end of March 2020 and akin to its previous forty-five years, it will find easy homes all over Ireland – the eight version of Volkswagen’s Golf undoubtedly receiving a Cead Mile Failte.

Volkswagen design engineers have once again shown us their talent to present us with a totally new Golf that is unquestionably a Golf – proof that when it is not broken, why fix it.

As can be expected it will come with a host of new technologies, more efficiency on road, but for me the exciting aspect of this new family hatchback is its connectivity. Add the term ‘Car2X’ to your motoring dictionary, as this is like nothing we have seen before. Effectively cars, in this instance, like equipped VW’s, talking to each other within an 800m range and capable of receiving information on road, weather and traffic matters from other approved agencies. This has huge development potential and will undoubtedly become part of our driving future and the part artificial intelligence will play in it.

We are not alone in of desire for this German hatchback, with some thirty-five million global customers proving its popularity. Here in Ireland, one in five A-segment hatchbacks is a VW Golf, a safe bet this new model is going to do its best to ensure that statistic doesn’t waiver.

The 2020 VW Golf will arrive here in three trim levels: Life, Style and R-Line. All models come with the following as standard:

• LED headlights
• LED tail-lights
• Keyless Start
• Digital cockpit
• We Connect
• We Connect Plus mobile online services and functions
• Automatic A/C
• Lane Assist, turn-off assist, front assist motoring.

Petrol and diesel engines 

The new Golf engine menu includes two four-cylinder petrol engines (TSI), with 90PS and 110PS. Those choosing to go diesel, (TDi), get the choice of two four-cylinder diesel engines with 115PS and 150PS. There is also a natural gas drive (TGI), with 130PS. Key engine for the Irish market will be the petrol 1.0 TSI 110hp Evo and the 2.0 TDI 115hp.

Five hybrid drives for the new Golf

Volkswagen’s hybrid offensive begins with this new Golf, with five hybrid drive versions available. It will come with 48V technology: a belt starter generator, 48V lithium-ion battery and the latest generation TSI engines badged eTSI. Volkswagen will offer the Golf in three eTSI output stages: 110PS, 130PS and 150PS.

The new Golf will also be available as two plug-in hybrid drive variants. A new efficiency version generates 204PS, while those looking for some extra pep can opt for the sporty GTE with 245PS. Both Golf plug-in hybrids will launch with a new 13kWh lithium-ion battery that enables larger electrically powered ranges of approximately 60 kilometres, and temporarily turns the Golf into a zero-emissions vehicle.

Car2X as standard – Golf to Golf chit-chat

New terms, new technology and a new motoring world opens up with this new Golf. Sporting a digital console as standard, this 2020 VW Golf is ‘connected’ to all outside via an ‘Online Connectivity Unit’, (OCU). This standard OCU features integrated eSIM links to “We Connect” and “We Connect Plus” online functions and services. Add to this the new Golf’s comes with Car2X. This system can receive signals from the traffic infrastructure and information from other vehicles up to 800 metres away, all of which are notified to the driver via an in-car display. The clever thing is that the Golf also shares these warnings with other Car2X models.