Mk VII Golf Feature Content?

[Isambard]

When you look at the Mk VI Golf as sold in the US, the 2.5 clearly gets the short end of the stick in terms of features compared to the TDI. For example: no four-door manual option, no Dynaudio, no navigation unit, no foglights, no HIDs, you get the idea...

In comparison, the 2.5 and TDI Jettas are equally equipped except for the wheels. Same goes for the Passat.

Do you guys think the Mk VII Golf will follow this new trend, or do you think the gasoline-engined Golf will continue to play second fiddle to the TDI?

[feels_road]

The TDI gets better standard equipment to hide the cost of the expensive engine and emissions equipment.

Generally speaking, the Golf is selling rather well this year, and the Euro is down compared to the dollar. That bodes well for a better selection for the MkVII.

[South.American.GTI]

Do you guys know or have heard anything related to the Golf mk7 being built in Mexico for american markets ???

Because this may chance a little bit the whole scenario about versions, engines and price !

[mediumbluemetalic]

I really don't think that the Golf VII will be built in Mexico. If this were the case, then the Jetta VI and Beetle would have been MQB cars. There's no reason for Mexico to be manufacturing 3 new compact cars designs on two different platforms.

[South.American.GTI]

I see your point, but isn't Audi building a new factory there for the upcoming next medium SUV based on the MQB platform ?

[feels_road]

I see your point, but isn't Audi building a new factory there for the upcoming next medium SUV based on the MQB platform ?

I thought Audi was moving production of the Q5 to Mexico - if that's the case, that's the MLB platform (longitudinal engine). The Q3 is MQB - but not really a big enough seller and not enough profit margin to be produced in North America.

[South.American.GTI]

Then I wonder if it is going to be possible to build the mk7 in the Brazil factory.... because the whole southamerica region is not having a complete Golf range since the mk4. They only sell the GTI and they are loosing a huge marketshare !

[Isambard]

The TDI gets better standard equipment to hide the cost of the expensive engine and emissions equipment.

If that were true, why don't they do the same thing for the Jetta/Passat/Beetle?

[feels_road]

If that were true, why don't they do the same thing for the Jetta/Passat/Beetle?

Because, unlike the Golf, they are not produced in a high-salary country with a marginal exchange rate and with additional transportation costs.

[Blonde Guy]

I vote that they bring higher trim level to Mk VII Golf, like the 1.8 turbo motor, seven-speed DSG, sport suspension and seats, and decent stereo and phone/ipod linkup. As someone pointed out, Europe is screwed up economically for the next few years, just as the US is recovering and demanding nice cars again.

A Golf hybrid would be pretty sweet, particularly with a 6-speed manual and sport package. Actually a GTI hybrid would be even sweeter. Would that be a GTH?

[randomkoreanguy]

I believe Jamie mentioned that VWAG (German parent company) is going to move North American Golf production to North America. This will (according to Jamie) allow VWoA (local VW office for our market) significantly greater control over what options and content our Golfs get, instead of it all being up to the home office (VWAG) in Germany. What does this mean exactly? I'm not 100% certain, but I'd imagine it would mean more color choices, a wider range of specs and options, and less expensive/more competitive pricing. Hopefully it'll also mean a greater range of features, since a pretty sizable number of competitor vehicles in its class are now starting to encroach on Golf territory in interior comfort and features (I.E. - Dodge Dart which has good reviews on interior materials quality, is based on the Alfa Romeo Guilietta platform, and offers lots of nice options like a backup camera). Based on what's already been stated on the new MQB Golf, there seems to be a fairly good chance that the MKVII will be much improved over the MKVI and very competitive in this segment, assuming they handle all of this correctly.

I am curious, however, as to how this will all be handled and how our market version Golf will vary compared to the European spec version. I know a lot of the enthusiasts love to complain how the Euro version is usually better (which it typically is), but keep in mind the Euro spec variants are also usually priced higher too. That being said, with competitors starting to slowly creep upmarket in terms of interior refinement, I think VW needs to also continue to move upwards and improve as well in order to stay ahead of the proverbial curve.

[DasCC]

Would love to see a 1.8 4dr manual.


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