2013 GTI is a Mk6!

[feels_road]

VW is actually moving in a good direction now and I have regular discussions with people internally there making decisions about future product and feel good about the current team and the plans they have. ...

... Hatch sales are always slippery here in the U.S. but the current product planning people want the Golf 7 to shine as a very good product (which it is) over the Golf 6.

Actually, I think Andres and others also did a very good job with the MkVI, previously. So much so, that VW is on its way to sell almost 50,000 of them, this year. That is one of the reasons that made me curious why VW would not sell any MkVII for almost a year - now that Golfs are actually doing quite well in the US. I understand that there may be complications regarding certifying first a German and later the North American version, regarding engines and changing equipment levels - but 50,000 cars is a lot to give up, also when you consider interrupting the market just at the point when the Golf appears to gather wider appeal in the US.

[PUMA4kicks]

Jamie - when you say "North America" are you talking about the Mexico plant or Chattanooga? Can't wait to see the MKVIII. Seems the GTI has been developed right along side the core model, so hopefully not too much of a delay.

[imm19]

... Can't wait to see the MKVIII...

I can hear you But before that we are waiting for MK VII. Give VW 5-6 years and MK VIII will be here

[hhaller]

Don't know if it's legit or just another guess, but pic #31 on this Autobild article looks like it could be the new MK VII. Seems to be a bit different from the renderings that we've seen before. Or I could be totally wrong.

http://www.autobild.de/bilder/bilder...u-3431630.html

[PUMA4kicks]

I can hear you But before that we are waiting for MK VII. Give VW 5-6 years and MK VIII will be here

oops! I meant MKVII

[roger2050]

Don't know if it's legit or just another guess, but pic #31 on this Autobild article looks like it could be the new MK VII. Seems to be a bit different from the renderings that we've seen before. Or I could be totally wrong.

http://www.autobild.de/bilder/bilder...u-3431630.html

Not sure that we've seen that one before, but I'm fairly certain it's just another bad rendering. Bad, bad rendering.

[TWinbrook46636]

Knowing who is currently in charge of VWoA product planning, I'd say this new MQB Golf will be a better car than the Golf 6. Will there now be a cheaper version available? Probably, but I expect that our Golf won't be too watered down.

Watered down compared to the Golf Mk VI we have now or compared to the upcoming Euro Mk VII? I see a Made in the USA version of the Golf as a way of stripping out even more. Just look at the Jetta and Passat which are both better sellers than the Golf. Pretty bare bones. So imagine what they'll do to a model that sells less in the US like the Golf! Basic econobox here we come.

While other manufacturers are adding things as standard (even on lower end models) VW has been removing them entirely.

[TWinbrook46636]

I'd say go for the Audi A3 but it still does't look like they will be offering it as a hatchback in the US anymore.

[randomkoreanguy]

I'd say go for the Audi A3 but it still does't look like they will be offering it as a hatchback in the US anymore.

Jury is still out on whether or not Audi will offer the Sportback version stateside. The only definite at this point is supposedly the new A3 Sedan, which has yet to be unveiled in production guise. Personally, I think it would be foolish of Audi to completely abandon the Sportback in our market. Granted, it's not a huge seller but the current model is long in the tooth and competitors are trying to work their way into the entry level luxury market with similar hatchbacks (CT200h). I haven't heard a definite on whether or not Mercedes Benz is bringing their A Class hatchback here, but if they do and Audi kills the Sportback you can take a wild guess where some of those sales will migrate to. You could argue that entry level hatchbacks are only a very small slice of a pretty big pie, but getting those new, young buyers into your brand at an early age is a really big deal (supposedly) and I think with the popularity of various hatchback cars (MINI Cooper, et al), they'll be more willing to migrate to other hatchbacks than older generation folks like myself. (A lot of people I know that are my age simply don't like hatchbacks for style/design reasons. My sister insists it looks like a sedan with the trunk lopped off.)

Part of it is also that the A3's "refresh" was so subtle that it looked like the same exact car. It was similar to when Lexus did a refresh of the IS, which also looked the bloody same. You can only go for so long on the same dated styling before people get bored, especially when it comes to the luxury segment. I personally attribute the A3's mediocre sales to the fact that it's tremendously old. The MKVI Golf, at least, looks drastically different enough from the MKV to appear to be a new car (even though it's the same under the skin). Average Joe Consumer probably wouldn't be able to tell the difference between a "new" A3 and one from 2006. A lot of it is perception. If you're on a continuous lease cycle every 4 years, you don't necessarily want to come off your lease and step back into a new model year badged clone of your old car for another four years or you would've just bought the old car instead.

[South.American.GTI]

Watered down compared to the Golf Mk VI we have now or compared to the upcoming Euro Mk VII? I see a Made in the USA version of the Golf as a way of stripping out even more. Just look at the Jetta and Passat which are both better sellers than the Golf. Pretty bare bones. So imagine what they'll do to a model that sells less in the US like the Golf! Basic econobox here we come.

While other manufacturers are adding things as standard (even on lower end models) VW has been removing them entirely.

I agree with you. I've to the States recentlly, and go to Europe almost every year, and it's amazing how basic are the German Golfs sold in the US. But, as I said before, that is because the Golf i s cheap car in the US, the lower model of the Range. And it is built in the EURO-Zone, therefore more expensive for VWoA to buy. That is why you have, as a distributor/importer, start to cut here and there expensive options thay finally increase the reail price and leave no room for profit. I hope that if production is moved towards anyplace in our continent, things should chance, especially if VW plans to increase sales volume and be, as planned the top no.1 manufacturer of the planet in 2018 !!!!

For example, here in Argentina, where everything is quita expensive (typically in the fashion of a third world country), a 5 door GTI costs 47.000 US DOLLARS Retail, and if you pay cash you may get discounts up to 2.000 USD. For that price, the car comes with manual tranny, 17" Denvers (not 18"), no led taillight, no parking sensors, no headlights auto-funcion, no cruise control and no folding mirrors. But, it comes standard with bixenon and front leds, leather, RCD510. Weird configuration for a 47,000 USD car, but the market over here is like this. Thay have to let aside some equipment to try to make the model fit in a certain market segment.

[volkan_04GLI]

Jamie: I know it's still early, but do you think there might be a chance to see a GTD here in the States? I'd love the sport styling and handling of a GTI with the fuel efficiency of a Diesel motor.

[jamie@vwvortex]

I think if VW is going to build the Golf 7 in North America, then the chances for GTD are pretty good as VWoA will want to expand the lineup to cover costs of producing it domestically. If the GTI is produced in the same factory, then "borrowing" some parts to create a GTD would be very easy.

Sounds like Golf 7 is likely to be introduced the first week of September in Berlin.

-jamie

[PUMA4kicks]

I think if VW is going to build the Golf 7 in North America, then the chances for GTD are pretty good as VWoA will want to expand the lineup to cover costs of producing it domestically. If the GTI is produced in the same factory, then "borrowing" some parts to create a GTD would be very easy.

Sounds like Golf 7 is likely to be introduced the first week of September in Berlin.

-jamie

when you say "North America" are you talking Chattanooga, TN or Mexico??

[jamie@vwvortex]

Most likely Mexico. I think the next most likely vehicle to be produced in Chattanooga is an SUV that shares some components with the Passat. This will eventually all be MQB chassis.

Mexico could then produce Golf, Golf Estate/Jetta Wagon, Jetta, Beetle and maybe Bulli if VW decides to build it. Basically full MQB vehicles (eventually). If VW adds AWD down in Mexico for rumored Jetta Alltrack then I'd expect Golf 7 R to come out of mexico as well.

1.8T and 2.0T would come out of new engine factory in northern Mexico. If demand could be justified, maybe even TDI out of that same factory.

Lots going on!

-jamie

[South.American.GTI]

Jamie, did you hear anything about this new mexican engine plant (Silao) to built also 1.4T engines ?

[jamie@vwvortex]

Jamie, did you hear anything about this new mexican engine plant (Silao) to built also 1.4T engines ?

I've heard that it is possible. The Jetta Hybrid will use the 1.4T and VW would like to use that engine in other applications. However I haven't heard anything official.

-jamie

[PUMA4kicks]

sucks we're getting a year delay. better late than never.

[feels_road]

If VW adds AWD down in Mexico for rumored Jetta Alltrack then I'd expect Golf 7 R to come out of mexico as well.

Jamie, you keep saying this - but Mexico already produces the 4Motion Golf Variant for Europe.

[South.American.GTI]

Jamie, you keep saying this - but Mexico already produces the 4Motion Golf Variant for Europe.

perhaps what he means is that they actually build that transmission in MX.
Probably that 4motion tranny for the Golf Variant now is shipped from Europe and just mounted on the MX variants for Euro market, and therefore it's just a small production figure, not something massive that can make a difference for the US market.....

[jddaigle]

Mexico could then produce Golf, Golf Estate/Jetta Wagon, Jetta, Beetle and maybe Bulli if VW decides to build it.

So will a Jetta/Golf wagon be offered in the US beyond the transitional 2013 model year?

[randomkoreanguy]

So will a Jetta/Golf wagon be offered in the US beyond the transitional 2013 model year?

Current speculation is that the current Jetta Sportwagen will be replaced by an MQB based Alltrack model (much like the European Passat Alltrack). Whether this highly theoretical car will carry the Jetta or Golf name attached to it is anyone's guess, but supposedly it will offer up the much asked for but not yet offered combination of TDI and 4Motion.

A few notes, this is all highly speculative at this point, but the appearance of the Euro spec Passat Allltrack at the New York Auto Show was a pretty good sign that it's being heavily considered. There's also an article on the whole thing on this very website where a lot of these speculations originate from. Also, offering both an Alltrack and the standard FWD, standard height wagon variant probably isn't seen as cost effective for our market given how low wagon/hatchback sales generally are in North America so I would expect an Alltrack version to completely replace the current JSW if the whole project is greenlit. Assuming it's not given a go, they'll probably continue to offer some version of the JSW on the new MQB architecture given how popular it is in TDI trim.

[bbout]

So is there any consensus on when the mk7 gti will be available and for roughly
how long might the gap between the mk6 and mk7 where there would actually
be no available gti's for puchase?

[Waterfan]

Oh that's such bad news. I'd rather have the scraps VWAG lets us have than the de-contented, stripped down and "Americanized" version of the Golf VWoA is undoubtedly going to offer us. Oh this is going to be bad. Very very bad.

My initial feeling is much the same. I hope we are both very wrong.

[feels_road]

So is there any consensus on when the mk7 gti will be available and for roughly
how long might the gap between the mk6 and mk7 where there would actually
be no available gti's for puchase?

Fall this year in Europe, and Fall of 2013 in the US.

Since production of the MkVI stopped earlier this month, any MkVIs available are those in transport and stored at the ports etc. I would think selection should begin to get tight in October/November, with few left over in December/January.

[Travis Grundke]

My initial feeling is much the same. I hope we are both very wrong.

Actually, with the considerable cost savings that the new MQB production method provides Volkswagen will likely be able to hold content and pricing constant, if not improve it.

[bbout]

Fall this year in Europe, and Fall of 2013 in the US.

I had been assuming fall 2013 until I saw the article by Jamie - "Volkswagen
Announces 2013 Model Year Lineup" where it stated:

"However, we won’t see the Golf 7 here in North America till early calendar year 2014, or about a year later."

Any reason to believe it might actually be calender year 2014 in stead of fall 2013?

tight in October/November, with few left over in December/January.

Surprising that VW would actually have no inventory for 8-9 months - or 12-14 months
if it turns out to be calender year 2014.

[nastybags]

We won't see a MKVII golf for sale here until this time next year

It will be a MY2014 but will be here technically in 2013

[vdub10golf]

Can anyone confirm where the MK7 will be built? After getting my '12 Beetle anything built in that factory is a dealbreaker for me. I really hope it's still going to be built in Germany.

[Hajduk]

Can anyone confirm where the MK7 will be built? After getting my '12 Beetle anything built in that factory is a dealbreaker for me. I really hope it's still going to be built in Germany.

Other than the 2 plants in Germany, there are no other confirmed MK7 production sites.

[gripitnripit13]

YUP...MK6, was at the dealer this and the 2013 are not the MK7!!! Wait another year