Volkswagen will be breaking all boundaries with the Mk8 Golf hatchback and will feature state-of-the-art goodies including a 10-speed DSG gearbox.
The current generation Golf is one of the more legendary and popular names for Volkswagen globally and the company plans to take this feat a notch higher with the next generation model as well. With the Volkswagen Golf Mk8 scheduled to arrive in 2017 as per Volkswagen’s five-year model cycle, the German automaker has been working extensively to make the new model more powerful, lighter, economical and significantly smarter over the outgoing version with a plethora of new features on offer including a 10-speed DSG gearbox.
Based on the MQB platform that also underpins the Audi A3 and Skoda Octavia, the Volkswagen Golf Mk8 will get the world’s first 10-speed DSG gearbox. The new unit developed is the same size as the company’s existing 7-speed DSG gearbox, but get 3 gears extra. Not only will this help in smoother power delivery but will also reduce the load on the engine, improve fuel efficiency and thereby reduce CO2 emissions. With the 10-speed DSG designed to handle up to 550 Nm of torque, the gearbox will be featured on the more powerful Golf GTI, GTD and R versions. The company will continue to offer the 7-speed DSG on the lower variants.
Keeping up with new features, the Mk8 Golf will also get the new 2.0-litre BiTDI diesel engine that recently debuted on the Passat and could find its way under the hood of the next GTD variant. In addition to the diesel mill, Volkswagen plans to introduce the new e-Golf in the next generation lineup that will have an improved range of 25 percent over the outgoing model. There is also a possibility of the smaller entry-level petrol engines being paired to a hybrid powertrain, and will help the automaker achieve the title of being the most sustainable manufacturer by 2018.
Apart from the mechanicals, the Mk8 Volkswagen Golf will get technologically richer over the current model. The additions include a new pigment for the dashboard that absorbs less heat and reduces the need to use the AC, while keeping the model lighter than its predecessor will be the steel and polymer composite body panels. The next generation Golf will also benefit from complete integration of the Mirror Link system and will be compatible with newer technologies like Android Auto and Apple CarPlay for in-car connectivity.
While the outgoing Volkswagen Golf could not make it to India, the next generation model could make it to domestic shores to rival the Mercedes A-Class, BMW 1-Series and the Audi A3 hatchback. With its impeccable driving dynamics along with state-of-the art features, the new Golf will certainly be one of the best driver’s cars in the segment at a relatively lower price over the competition. With the market opening up to newer products, Volkswagen should seriously consider bringing the Mk8 Golf to India.
Source – Auto Express
