The popularity of this generation of VW Golf in Europe and Ukraine was overwhelming. More than 4 million pieces have been produced. Produced in six countries on four continents. Of course, in most cases, Golfs imported from Europe roam our roads. Although we officially sold the model in this generation. At the same time, the official fourth stockings were adapted to our operating conditions with a reinforced suspension and engine protection. Looking for running gear parts, there are such springs and shock absorbers, which are called so - for cars with a “bad road package”.

Body and interior.

The body of the Golf is eternal, as the mechanics say. The metal is perfectly protected against corrosion, galvanized on both sides. Despite the years, you can find a car in very good condition. Outwardly, the classic forms of the body does not look outdated. Volkswagen has always been able to make cars that do not look outdated over the years in the way that cars from Asia do.

Problems could occur with door locks (this is a common failure for all cars built on a common A4 or PQ34 platform). Also, over time, some on-board equipment can also fail. The fan of the stove hums at first, and then just stops. The power windows on the doors refuse to raise the windows properly, and the power window buttons on the driver's door are often replaced due to wear or water ingress. Salon at the Golf, the fourth generation, is quite functional even today. The rear seats can be conveniently folded into a separate proportion. There is plenty of second-row passenger space, and you can get a person of any build behind the wheel. What can I say, the standard of landing and accommodation of passengers and cargo in its class, which all competitors were equal to at the beginning of the 2000s.

Popular gasoline engines

There were more than enough powertrain options. The base gasoline engine 1.4 16V (AHW, AXP, AKQ) is quite popular in Ukraine. The main problem of the motor is a weak and short-lived throttle.

Moreover, it cannot be repaired, only replaced. The most popular engine is eight valve 1.6 (AEH / AKL). A reliable and time-tested engine was then installed on the Skoda Octavia Tour for a long time. I was not surprised by the power characteristics, but showed good traction on the bottoms. The motor is simple and reliable structurally. Common problems are a radiator cooling fan and fluid leaks through the water pump gasket. The next demanded gasoline engine was a two-liter one with factory indexes APK / AQY AZH / AZJ. Good engine. Of the main problems, only the desire to constantly eat up oil. But this problem lends itself well to repair. For hot drivers, you can find versions with a turbo engine, 1.8 liter AGU, ARZ, AUM. This motor has already become legendary, thanks to its wide distribution for the entire VAG model range (Skoda Octavia Tour, Seat Leon, Audi A3) and good performance. Of the main weaknesses are the flying ignition coils and the crankcase ventilation system, where the problem valve is. Also, the phase regulator may require replacement after 120 - 150 thousand km. The turbine, with normal oil and regular replacement of the air filter, lives without problems. But if, nevertheless, it's time to replace it (and based on the age of the car, this is no longer rare), it is quite possible to buy a non-original good quality turbine for Golf 4. Among the gasoline engines there were also options 2.3 VR5 2.8 VR6 3.2 R32 (VR6), but this is already a rarity.

Gearboxes. That rare case when an automatic is more reliable than mechanics

The five-speed manual with the factory index DUU is the most problematic. If the first one turns on problematically, then this is the norm for this box. Manual transmission is not for sports driving. With an active drive, the differential rivets break and the box crankcase is destroyed.

Automatic is a rarity for Golf. Those who got a car with a four-speed automatic are very lucky. This box is reliable and there are no problems with it. Only the oil needs to be changed in it every 60 thousand km.

Suspension. Are there any weaknesses in the chassis?

The chassis of the Volkswagen Golf IV, by design, does not differ from its competitors. MacPherson struts in front, and a simple semi-independent beam in the back. But how does it all work. Driving this model is a pleasure. The car handles well and handles the road well. In general, if you use high-quality spare parts for repairs, then there will be no problems with the running system. There are no structural weaknesses in it. As for the resource, for original spare parts it is as follows: silent blocks of the front levers 60–80 thousand km; stabilizer struts 40-50 thousand km; support bearings of the front struts - up to 40 thousand km.

Everything is very easy to change, and there are no problems with maintenance. Just like the steering rack, which does not live longer than 150 thousand, it is restored without problems. Shock absorbers with a "bad roads" package are tougher, but more tenacious than European counterparts, and it is better to install them.

Brakes are reliable and durable

The braking system Golf 4 will not create problems. There is only one fly in the ointment - the brake light switch. But this problem is cheap and solved quickly. Brake discs and pads are inexpensive to replace, and there are a lot of replacement options. When buying a Golf 4 for yourself, be sure to check the operation of the hand brake and the condition of the brake hoses. The handbrake cable is stretched, and it's just time to replace the hoses.

Results. Should I buy a used Volkswagen Golf 4?

If you gravitate towards the German classics, then this option is for you. Here everything is thought out in German and sustained in the spirit of conservatism. Do not forget that many copies have already passed under 500 thousand km, and some have exchanged the second million, so many components and assemblies will definitely require replacement. But if you managed to find a live copy, where the previous owner was a conscientious and accurate motorist, then Golf 4 will not create problems for you for a long time.

Literally ten years ago, Golf 4 was one of the leaders in demand in the secondary market on a par with the fifth Passat. Today, time, of course, has already taken its toll, but you can still find a decent version of the Golf 4. And it will be an excellent choice for an inexpensive and reliable car with a low cost of operation and repair.

Golf 4 was launched in 1997, and although the car looks very similar to the previous model, in fact it is a completely different car, built on a different platform. Audi A3, VW Beetle, Octavia A5, Audi TT, Seat Leon and Toledo are assembled on the same platform. The suspension parts for these machines are interchangeable.

Golf 4 was originally produced in a hatchback body with three and five doors. In 1999, the production of a station wagon began, which was labeled "Variant". Golf 4 in a sedan was called "Bora" (for the US market - "Jetta"). It is worth knowing that the Golf 4 Convertible is nothing more than a facelift of the Golf 3 Convertible.

In the "base" Golf had at least two airbags, seat belts with pretensioners, an ABS system, electric windows and electric mirrors. In addition to the basic configuration, there were also "Comfortline", "Trendline" and "Highline". Later, an ESP system could be ordered for a car for an additional fee. On cars of the last years of production, one could also see window airbags (in addition to side airbags). Thanks to this, the car was one of the leaders in passenger safety in its class.

Modifications and characteristics of gasoline engines Volkswagen Golf IV




The range of engines was quite wide and began with a 1.4-liter gasoline engine that produced 75 forces. Of course, "drive" on it will not work. Moreover, when driving in a stream, this engine must be constantly revved up to high speeds in order to keep up with the bulk of the cars. And this reduces its resource.

Further, you can designate a 1.6-liter unit with eight valves and a hundred horsepower under the hood, and the same, but a sixteen-valve 105-horsepower. These are the most common and most reliable engines for Golf 4. Such engines easily roll back 300 thousand km without major repairs, provided that the oil is changed regularly and overheating is prevented. True, these motors often crack the tee of the cooling system, but it is quite inexpensive and easy to change.

1.6-liter 110-horsepower FSI engines with direct injection were also produced. But in domestic conditions, he often "got sick" because of the poor quality of the fuel. He is also prone to the formation of soot in the cylinder head.




The 1.8-liter 125-horsepower gasoline unit also had turbocharged versions with 150 and 180 horsepower. The naturally aspirated motor with a manual transmission is considered very dynamic, and with a supercharger, this light machine accelerates to hundreds in just over 8 seconds. Buying a turbo version is associated with a certain risk, since far from pensioners drove it to the dacha, and such a car will be “ushatan” at the most “do not indulge” (it concerns, first of all, an expensive turbine). But in good condition for such a device will ask a lot of money. Remember - after "annealing" on such a machine, you should not immediately turn off the engine, you must let the engine run for some time at idle to cool the turbine. And the oil in these units should be changed more often than the manufacturer recommends.

But the two-liter 115-horsepower unit is very unpretentious and reliable. But subject to regular (every 90 thousand km) replacement of the timing kit along with the pump.

Engines V5, VR5, V6 and VR6 (2.3, 2.8 and 3.2 liters) give the fourth Golf excellent dynamics and can boast of durability. But besides that, they are expensive to maintain and repair. Usually, such a car is usually sold only when the time has come for a major overhaul of the motor.

It is worth saying a little about diesel. They are all 1.9 liters. The weakest atmospheric SDI could produce 68 "horses", and engines with a turbine - from 90 to 150. Diesel engines of the fourth Golf are very durable and economical, but in the case of using high-quality diesel fuel, which is not so easy to find in Russia. In general, diesel Golf is worth buying only if you are confident in the good condition of the engine, and plan on long runs on the highway.




The 1.9SDI (AGP, AQM) motor can be called a model of reliability, durability and low maintenance. It has two drawbacks: 17 seconds to hundreds and noise.

Old school 1.9TDIs with 90 (AGR, ALH) and 110 (AHF, ASV) forces have problems with high pressure pumps, which are relatively expensive to repair.

Since 1999, a 115-horsepower 1.9TDI (AJM, AUY) with a pump-injector has gone into the series. Further, units with capacities of 100 (BEW), 130 (ASZ) and 150 (ARL) horsepower appeared in the diesel range.

Compared to the old 1.9TDI, these engines have higher performance and economy. True, the maintenance and repair of such engines has become significantly more expensive.

The weakest 1.9TDI lacks the expensive twin-disk flywheel and variable geometry turbine.




The undeniable advantage of these diesel engines is the absence of a particulate filter, and their common drawback can be called a frequently failing flow meter (on engines until 2001).

Golf 4 was sold with 5 and 6 manual transmissions and 4 and 5 automatic transmissions with manual control. All boxes can be called quite reliable. On the "mechanics" the gearshift lever could sometimes become loose. On the 1.6-liter versions, sometimes there were difficulties with the inclusion of the first gear of the manual transmission. A manual gearbox oil change is provided every 90 thousand km, the clutch, depending on the driving style, can last 130-200 thousand km.

In automatic transmission, oil is designed for 60 thousand kilometers. The oil changes partially, since its very high detergent properties, when completely replaced, are able to dissolve all old deposits, which will inevitably disable the box. If the previous owner did not change the oil for a long time, the mileage of the car is high, and the box works flawlessly, then you should not do this either.

On version 1.8 liters or more, the buyer could order the 4motion all-wheel drive system. In the 2.8-liter version and in the R32 version, all-wheel drive is already in the "base". A car with 4motion makes driving unforgettable, but the cost of repairing this transmission and the complexity of the repair can hurt the owner's pocket. It is worth knowing that in the secondary market, as a rule, either very "shabby" or very expensive Golf 4Motions (which can be called good condition) are sold.

The body of the fourth Golf is very worthy of resisting corrosion. In places of chips, rust does not appear for a very long time. Thanks to minimal clearances and perfectly fitted body parts, aerodynamic noise is absent at any speed. If you see traces of corrosion on the body of the Golf 4, then you are definitely offered a broken car.

Of the body flaws, freezing of door seals during the onset of frost can be noted. To avoid this, pre-treat all the rubber bands in the doorways with silicone grease, which is sold in the form of a spray.

Interior Golf 4 is a strict classic German version. Thanks to the many adjustments of the driver's seat behind the wheel of this car, a driver of any build will comfortably fit.




But using the climate control is not very convenient: its buttons are located far from the driver, and for the settings you have to be distracted from the road. In cars with conventional air conditioning, this inconvenience is not.

Over time, the plastic of the doors and the front panel is wiped off, and "crickets" are populated from the salon. In later versions of the Golf 4, the quality of the interior was improved.

This car does not cause any special electrical problems. Sometimes the rear wiper motor may fail and the front trapezoid will harden. Occasionally it is necessary to change the "frog" of the brake light, located under the pedal.

In versions with automatic transmission, sometimes owners are faced with a blocking of the box selector. To unlock it, remove the connector from the switch and insert it back. If such a "glitch" occurs periodically, then the switch will have to be changed, since it is inexpensive.

On early models, there was a defect in the power windows. Sometimes the owners complained about the failure of the "climate" display and the central lock.




Chassis Golf 4 can be described as comfortable, simple, reliable and inexpensive to maintain. In front - the popular "MacPherson", and in the back - either a beam for front-wheel drive cars, or a "multi-link" for 4x4.

Created with Raphaël 2.1.0Volkswagen Golf 5 can be viewed HERE.

The durability of Golf 4 suspension parts is highly dependent on driving style and speed over bumps. As with most passenger cars, the traction and stabilizer bushings are the first to "surrender" (50-60 thousand km). Shock absorbers during active trips will have to be replaced at about 150 thousand km. Other suspension parts serve an average of 100 thousand km, which is very worthy.

The factory front pads will have to be replaced closer to 30 thousand km, the discs will last almost 100 thousand. The rear pads wear out less, they will have to be changed for the first time at about 70 thousand km.

You can repair the suspension of the fourth Golf for relatively little money - there are many options for spare parts for this car on the market for any wallet.

Summing up, we can say with confidence that Golf 4 adopted all the advantages of previous models, adding comfort and safety to them. The car is one of the best in its class and is definitely recommended for purchase (in good condition, of course).

A selection of reviews, video reviews and test drives Volkswagen Golf 4:

Crash test Volkswagen Golf IV:

Volkswagen Golf 4 can already be attributed to the category of "oldies" in the secondary car market, but you should not write it off. The mere fact that it has been produced longer than the fifth generation speaks of its popularity among buyers. Volkswagen Golf 4 is one of the best cars if you need an inexpensive, compact and cheap "workhorse" to repair and operate.

However, given the venerable age (the newest fourth “golf” is already more than nine years old), the maintenance of these cars requires increased attention from the owners. Especially if the machine is used every day. If you have a need to purchase spare parts for your "darling", then the best place where you can do this is the auto analysis of the Volkswagen Golf 4 at AutoStrong. It has been specializing in the supply of used spare parts from abroad for many years and is ready to provide customers with goods on the most favorable terms.

Advantages of buying spare parts for dismantling VW Golf 4

• This is the only place where you can get original parts at a very reasonable price. And don't let the mileage fool you. The quality of the originals is initially so high that in terms of endurance, reliability and service life they will be compared with any new analogue, and most likely even surpassed.
• At the Volkswagen Golf 4 dismantling, you will find any necessary spare parts. It does not matter what year your car is, what model and what type of engine. For any modification, there are all the necessary details of the "stuffing", interior and body.

Why you should contact AutoStrong

1. Carrying out fault finding. You don't want non-working parts and we don't want to sell them to you. Therefore, we definitely check all spare parts for “professional suitability” and exclude all that do not pass this test.
2. Convenient directory. With the help of search filters, you can easily find the necessary parts on the Volkswagen Golf 4 parsing and find out all their characteristics from the full description, as well as evaluate the visual condition of the parts from the photographs.
3. Affordable cost. At our Golf 4 autodismantler you will buy parts at below market prices.
4. Guarantee. All parts that need to be checked after installation are guaranteed for 14 days, and for engines - 30 days.
5. Large delivery area. Here you can order spare parts from auto-dismantling Golf 4 with delivery to any region of Russia.

You can leave a request by phone, via Viber, Telegram, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, Odnoklassniki or VKontakte. But if you want to get an instant answer, then use the "Online Consultant" window on the site to order.

The legendary Volkswagen Golf was first introduced to the world in 1974. The car was awarded the original name in honor of the warm ocean current - the Gulf Stream (German: Golfstrom). Golf is the most successful model of the German auto giant and one of the best-selling in the world. This car marked the beginning of a whole class of cars that was named after him. Modest plastic trim, angular design and average comfort paid off with front-wheel drive (extremely rare at the time), a wide range of gasoline and diesel powertrains, a choice of body styles (three- or five-door hatchback, Jetta sedan and convertible).

Golf was produced in two versions (basic and luxury), had a large set of options: a rear window washer, a wiper, a sliding sunroof, a lockable gas tank cap and alloy wheels.

The base power unit was a 1.1-liter engine with a capacity of 50 hp. With. With it, the car accelerated to 90 km / h in 13.2 seconds. Maximum speed up to 149 km/h. Average fuel consumption is 8.6 liters per 100 km. From the very beginning, buyers were offered cars not only with a manual transmission, but also with an “automatic”.

In the autumn of 1975, the VW Golf GTI was presented to the visitors of the Frankfurt Salon. A sporty version of the model that combines the cost of a subcompact car with the dynamics of a sports coupe. The GTI version was distinguished by black window frames, sports seats and a steering wheel, wheel frames extended with plastic lining and a number of other details. The main driving force was a 1.6-liter engine with a K-Jetronic fuel injection system. The motor had a power of 110 horsepower at 6100 rpm. This made it possible to develop a speed of 100 km / h in 9 seconds, and its maximum speed was 183 km / h.

Cars with the GTI nameplate began to be in special demand on the market, so already in 1976 the Golf Diesel GTI appeared, equipped with a 1.5 liter turbodiesel with a capacity of 50 hp.

In 1979, Volkswagen introduced the new Golf convertible with soft top. The body was made by the famous studio Karmann from Osnabrück. The release of Golf I convertibles stretched over the period from 1980 to 1993, until the appearance of the Golf III. This was due to the fact that during the period when the production of the Golf I had already been stopped and replaced by the Golf II, the convertible version of the Golf II did not appear.

The Golf I was discontinued in 1983. During the release of the first model in Germany, about 5,625,000 cars were produced, including about 450,000 in the GTI version. In the United States and Canada, it was produced under the brand name "Volkswagen Rabbit", and in Latin America - "Volkswagen Caribe".

The second generation Golf was released in August 1983. The car got bigger. The length has increased by 300 mm, the width by 55 mm, the interior has become more spacious and comfortable. A more perfect body shape reduced the air resistance coefficient from 0.42 for the previous model to 0.34. The main features of the car were retained by Volkswagen specialists, but at the same time supplemented and improved. A set of gasoline and diesel engines from 1.1 to 1.8 liters with a power of 50 to 90 hp was offered, manual and automatic gearboxes.

The Golf II generation proved to be generous with modifications. In 1984, the GTI model appeared with an 8-valve engine with 112 hp. Maximum speed up to 186 km / h and acceleration to 100 km / h in 9.7 s. In 1985, the legendary GTI 16V (139 hp) expands the range. Sales of the Golf GTI II surpassed those of the first generation GTI at 17,193 cars in 1989.

All-wheel drive Golf Syncro appeared in 1986.

But the most striking addition to the family was the appearance in 1989 of the all-wheel drive version of the Golf II Country. The body and units of the Golf Syncro are mounted on the frame here, thanks to which the car has an impressive ground clearance, while, like the Syncro, the Country has a viscous coupling in the rear axle drive, which automatically connects the rear wheels when the front wheels slip. This modification was assembled at the Steyr factory in the city of Graz (Austria). Due to the high price, the model did not find wide demand, only a little more than 7000 pieces were produced.

In the late 80s, VW experimented with mechanical supercharging. As a result of this, a “charged” Volkswagen Golf G60 appears, equipped with a 160-horsepower 1.8-liter engine.

Golf II was produced not only at factories in Germany, but also in France, the Netherlands, Great Britain, Spain, Austria, Switzerland, Finland, Japan and the USA. Volkswagen continued to produce the Golf II until 1992. 6.3 million copies rolled off the assembly line.

The debut of the third generation Golf took place in August 1991 at the Geneva Motor Show. Body styles included three-door and five-door hatchbacks, the Golf Variant station wagon, and a convertible. The volume of the luggage compartment of the station wagon with the back of the rear seats reclined was 1425 liters.

Golf III received a unique design and a much more spacious interior. Among the additional equipment, one can single out the ABS system, electric seat heating, air conditioning, electric seat back angle adjustment, centralized lock control, electric adjustment of the position of the exterior mirrors, engine preheating system in cold weather and much more.

The engine range includes seven petrol engines (from a 60 hp 1.4 l. turbocharged 90 hp). All gasoline engines were equipped with converters. The most "modest" engine had a volume of 1.4 liters, and the most powerful - 2.8 liters (with such a car it developed a speed of 225 km / h, and gained a "hundred" from a standstill in 7.6 seconds). The most powerful versions received a four-speed automatic transmission with an electrohydraulic drive, equipped with two programs - for economical and sporty driving styles, as well as disc brakes on all wheels (front - ventilated). All cars were equipped with power steering and brakes.

In 1995, a unique VW Golf appears with a 2.8-liter VR6 engine under the hood. The VR6 concept was to take a conventional V6 and change the angle between the two cylinders by 15 degrees so that all the pistons fit under one cylinder head. The 2.8-liter VR6 produced 172 hp.

The developers paid special attention to safety - there were volumes easily crushed upon impact, a reinforced frame, and amplifiers built into the doors. Also on the Golf III there were airbags for the driver and front passenger, a 170 mm deformable steering column, a foam-covered instrument panel and steel rear seat backs. Plus, the creators of the Golf III gave their customers a 12-year warranty against rust through.

Golf III sold 4.8 mil. copies and its production ceased in 1997.

The "fourth" Golf, whose production began in 1997, has become a more comfortable and expensive car with a rich list of options.

Without cardinal changes, the designers managed to give the car a modern look. First of all, unusual lighting fixtures attract attention. Under a common glass dome are hidden two large dipped and main beam headlights, as well as two small circles of direction indicators and fog lights. The rear part of the car has noticeably changed, the characteristic element of which is now the curved rear roof pillar, turning into the wing. New sound-absorbing materials and new engine and exhaust system mounts were applied. The Golf IV is available in four equipment levels: Trendline, Comfortline, Highline and GTI.

While maintaining the overall proportions, the Golf IV has become larger. Its length has increased to 4149 mm (+131 mm), width - up to 1735 mm (+30 mm), and the base - up to 2511 mm (+39 mm).

The list of standard equipment is impressive: ABS, front airbags for the driver and passenger, two side airbags in the backs of the front seats, disc brakes on all wheels (front ventilated), power steering with variable ratio and steering effort, height-adjustable seat driver, air particulate filter in the ventilation system, rear head restraints, body-colored bumpers, grille and exterior mirrors.

Optionally, the customer can install a navigation system with an LCD display on the center console. There are things that were not previously installed on cars of this class at all. For example, a rain sensor monitors the intensity of the wipers.

The range of engines includes six petrol and three diesel engines ranging from 68 to 180 hp.

The fifth generation Golf was unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2003. The car is built on the latest platform, which also formed the basis of the second generation Audi A3 and VW Touran. Along with it, the car received a multi-link rear suspension, and in addition - a new body, the rigidity of which increased by 80%.

Golf V has become longer by 57 mm (4204 mm), wider by 24 mm (1759 mm) and higher by 39 mm (1483 mm). The rear passengers will be the first to feel the increase in space: legroom has increased by 65 mm, and the ceiling has risen by 24 mm. Trunk volume has grown to 347l.

The silhouette of the model is defined by five main elements: a waist line that runs under the side windows and rises noticeably upwards, a clear graphics of the side windows that form a single whole, embossed sidewalls in the area of ​​​​the rear doors and pillars, the characteristic shape of the rear pillar, curved at an angle, and a swift roofline . Completely redesigned front end with improved aerodynamics. Twin round headlights with transverse direction indicators, like the Phaeton, characteristically “sharpen” towards the center of the front. Relief curved surfaces of the wings rise above the headlights. As a continuation of the hood, together with the radiator grille, they form a V-shaped figure.

The interior of the car is strict in German, functional and very ergonomic: all functional levels are clearly separated, all buttons and switches are in their places. Every detail has been refined and improved compared to the previous model. For example, the center console with its instruments: here the controls for the audio/navigation system and ventilation/air conditioning are located higher, so they are more visible and easier to operate.

The design of the front seats has been completely redesigned to provide maximum comfort. The Golf V is the first vehicle in its segment to offer an optional seat with electrically adjustable 4-way lumbar support (integrated into the seat) or with an independent heater. In addition to the standard 60:40 split-fold rear seat, a front passenger seat with a forward-folding backrest is available as an option, increasing the load area and making it possible to transport long items.

For the Golf V, several engine and gearbox options are available. The diesel line is represented by two units: 2.0 l / 140 hp. and 1.9/105 hp The choice of gasoline engines is much larger: 1.6 l/102 hp, 1.4 l/75 hp, 1.6 l/115 hp. The car can also be equipped with 1.4TSI units (three versions - 122, 140 and 170 hp), 2.0 FSI (two versions - 150 and 200 hp).

Golf V will be offered in 3 versions of the basic equipment: Trendline, Comfortline and Sportline, differing in some trim details. Each of them already includes 6 airbags, ABS with brake assist and ESP.

In the summer of 2009, the presentation of the sixth generation of the car took place. The Golf VI is 4199 mm long, 5 mm shorter than the previous model. On the other hand, the car has become wider by 20 mm, at the same height. The whole look of the Golf VI speaks of its sporty character. The front part of the body attracts attention with a radiator grille and an elegant shape of the headlights. A pronounced line running from the headlights to the taillights visually elongates the body and makes the car look lower.

Inside, high-quality design elements delight the eye, including chrome appliqués, numerous decorative inserts in the front panel and door trim. Pleasing to the eye and white backlight received a new design devices. The Climatic air conditioning system is included as standard.

The new Golf is equipped with a host of safety systems: next-generation ESP, skid prevention, ABS with brake assist, MSR, trailer stability control and ASR traction control. The manufacturer took care of the safety of both the driver and all passengers and installed seven airbags, and one of them protects the driver's knees.

The power units of the car remained the same. The basis is a 1.6 liter engine that runs on gasoline and has a power of 102 horses. There is also a 1.39 liter turbo with 122 or 160 horsepower. And also manufacturers took care of diesel engines with a 2.0 liter turbo unit, which develops a power of 110 or 140 hp. Power units traditionally for Volkswagen are distinguished by low fuel consumption and develop excellent power. The new 7-speed DSG transmission provides comfortable shifting without interruption in power flow.

Of particular note is the sporty version of the Golf GTI. Its 2.0 TSI engine develops 155 kW (210 hp), accelerating the car from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.9 seconds (top speed 240 km/h). With such indicators, fuel consumption remains acceptable - 7.3–7.4 l / 100 km. The choice is also automatic 6-speed DSG, or traditional mechanics.

The seventh generation Volkswagen Golf was officially presented at the Paris Motor Show in 2012. The new generation, as usual, has become more spacious, lighter and more economical. Contrary to expectations, the chief designer of the concern, Walter da Silva, known for his bold work, did not dare to radically change the design of the model. But minor improvements were enough for the Golf VII to acquire modern features, become more attractive and dynamic.

Having retained the main features of the style by which this brand is recognized, the seventh Golf nevertheless changed its geometric dimensions. The car has become 56 mm longer (4255 mm), 13 mm wider (1799 mm) and 28 mm lower (1452 mm) than its predecessor. The wheelbase was lengthened by 59 mm (up to 2637 mm), which made it possible to “stretch” the cabin by 14 mm and the space at the feet of the rear passengers by 15 mm. It has become more spacious in the shoulders: at this level, the interior has expanded by 30 mm. The driver's seat has been lowered by 2 cm, the gas and brake pedals have been moved apart by 16 mm and the steering angles have been increased. The extended trunk has added 30 liters in volume (up to 380 liters), and its loading height has decreased by 17 mm.

The continuity of generations in the VW Golf family is a non-negotiable concept, however, on the "seven" you will not find a single common body panel with a sixth generation car. This car is really brand new. It has a more dynamic silhouette due to a reduced body height and a slightly elongated roof. It has more sharp edges, and headlights with LED sections now peek out from under the shifted “eyebrows” of the hood edge. The lowered roof gave the car not only a dynamic look, but also improved aerodynamic characteristics. Despite the increased width of the body, the drag coefficient has become smaller.

Thanks to the use of the latest MQB modular platform, Volkswagen designers have managed to reduce the weight of the car by 100 kg. The body was lightened by 23 kg, the engines and new seats became lighter, 3 kg were won due to the modified wiring, another 26 kg of weight was dropped by the suspension. German engineers fought for every gram, realizing that reducing the weight of the car would reduce fuel consumption.

Volkswagen AG Chairman Martin Winterkorn challenged his employees to radically improve the model's fuel efficiency. As a result of the work carried out, the car consumes 23% less fuel, and the Volkswagen Golf 1.9 TDI BlueMotion has become the apotheosis of the struggle for fuel efficiency. This 110 hp turbocharged diesel engine and a torque of 250 N * m with a five-speed manual transmission consumes only 3.2 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers. This result was achieved with the help of the start-stop system, the installation of tires with reduced rolling resistance, and the braking energy recovery system. The height of the BlueMotion suspension was reduced by 15 mm, and additional aerodynamic elements were installed on the bodywork to improve engine cooling and reduce drag. By the way, the drag coefficient of the VW Golf BlueMotion is only 0.27.

In addition to this power unit, the diesel range is represented by engines with a capacity of 90, 150 and 180 horsepower. The TSI gasoline family includes: 1.2-liter (105 hp), 1.4-liter (122 hp) and 1.4-liter (140 hp). A more powerful version of the model with the GTI prefix received a 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline unit with a capacity of 220 horsepower. The choice of transmission is a 6-speed manual transmission or a 7-speed DSG automatic transmission.

As for the suspension, the seventh-generation McPherson Volkswagen Golf has two types of rear suspension in front: for modifications with engines weaker than 125 horsepower, a semi-independent beam is provided (it is more compact, lighter and cheaper), and for all other versions - multi-link.

The car has a lot of new electronic systems. The equipment will include adaptive cruise control with automatic braking, an all-round video surveillance system, a marking tracking system, as well as a traffic sign recognizer and a driver fatigue detector. The classic “handbrake” will give way to electronic, and the steering will receive five operating modes (Eco, Sport, Normal, Individual and Comfort). The list of options also includes an adaptive suspension. Whether an adaptive suspension will appear in Russia is not yet clear. But it is known that for our market the Golf will undergo another “adaptation”: the ground clearance will increase, and the settings of the elastic elements will also be revised.

 Comparison test January 02, 2008 Bestsellers (Chevrolet Lacetti, Citroen C4, Ford Focus, Kia Ceed, Mazda 3, Opel Astra, Skoda Octavia Tour, Volkswagen Golf V)

There are eight golf-class hatchbacks worth up to 500,000 rubles on the Russian market. Among them there are petrol and diesel versions, three- and five-door European, Japanese or Korean brands. In a word, the choice is the widest.

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Comparison test January 06, 2007 Urban rockets (BMW130, Ford Focus ST, Honda Civic Type-R, Mazda 3 MPS, Opel Astra OPC, Volkswagen Golf GTI)

Golf-class models are in the production range of almost all automakers. These are cars without claims, for trips "from point A to point B", even if in many cases they are of very high quality. Sports modifications based on these ordinary, in general, machines are a completely different matter. They use more advanced technologies, sometimes borrowed from higher-end models. They have a character capable of delivering driving pleasure even to the fastidious motorist. It is these flagship representatives of the golf class that will be discussed in our review.

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