Volkswagen Golf Mk7 Cut Model at KLIMS2013 - A Demonstration of German Engineering

Volkswagen took a prime floor space at KLIMS 2013, a vast portion of the hall previously occupied by Proton in the KLIMS 2010. It brings the whole lot of its car together with the yet-to-be launched CKD Volkswagen Polo hatchback. However, the item that really catch my eyes is the cut model of the Volkswagen Golf, a car that won accolades of awards, triple award I would say; European Car of The Year, World Car of The Year and Car of The Year Japan. Award does not fall from the sky, so this car ought to be quite something.

The cut model of Volkswagen Golf Mk7 is very fascinating to look at. It is the free demonstration of Volkswagen engineering design which is very useful to be benchmarked. After all, Volkswagen Golf Mk7 is significantly 100kg lighter than the model it replaced. The savings are achieved via 3.0kg lighter electrical system, 12.0kg of car's equipment, 22.0kg from engine, 26.0kg from the drivetrain and a whopping 37.0kg from the body structure. The culmination of the savings is the result of finite element analysis which optimize the load path and reduce the redundant structure. The main structure is a hybrid of high strength steel with hot formed steel among other conventional materials.

Lets start with the front. While I don't bring the gauge to check the thickness, I am pretty sure it is quite a standard thickness as far as the hood inner and outer panel is concern. However what can be seen is the hood inner panel is quite mainstream in the design and generously structured near the cowl section. In addition to the hood inner beaded section close by, the hood outer is further augmented by stiffener, so even the rearward right section alone is supported by 3 reinforcements.

The section below shows the front bumper assembly consists of bumper fascia, bumper beam and its foam insert as well as the lower radiator grille louvre design. Also consistent with the current trend, the bumper itself is very thin, around 2mm and usually can't support its own weight is disassembled. Bulk of the loading is taken by the beam, while the yield can be support by the fascia, the springback is aided by the foam.

Moving further downward, one can clearly see the floor is fully covered to aid aerodynamics. The fairing covers even the lowest point of the car which is the oil sump, which seems to be insulated this this example. The next photo shows the main body structure of Volkswagen Golf Mk7, which is the side structure, a structure that envelope the occupants inside the car. The A, B and C pillar are exposed here, although only the critical section of B-pillar is cut out for us to see. 

Closer inspection through the web reveals the B-pillar inner panel is off the TWB type, i.e Tailor Weld Blank which means the panel comes as multi thickness along the length. This is particularly useful in saving weight as it isolates the need for an additional reinforcement of metal sheet to add strength, which also requires spot weld. For TWB, the sheet is rolled in the desired thickness at desired location, the concept which is as per illustrated. This technology is nothing new, as our local grown Proton Saga BLM employs the same technology in its door panel. More details after the jump.

Volkswagen Golf GTI Landed In Malaysia

Volkswagen Malaysia has launched the 7th generation of Volkswagen Golf GTI last week, and this time around both the 3 door and 5 door versions are made available. The car is the continuation of the legendary hot hatchback which sets the benchmark on how the hot hatchback should performed. The new GTI is priced from RM211,060 for the 3 door while the 5 door is priced at RM219,060. Both are OTR without insurance, and in case of the 5 door version you can opt for 19' Santiago wheels upgrade for RM3,000 and Tech-Pack (Adaptive Chassis Control, Electric Driver Seat (!) & Vienna leather seats) for RM10,000.

As per MMN earlier coverage (read HERE), the exterior of the Mk7 Golf GTI is subtly different from the cooking TSI version, although it does give a visual tension of dynamism despite the subdued exterior makeover. The front of the car gains the customary red insert inside the upper grille, which extends into the headlamp internal. The front bumper air intake has been enlarged, and flanks by the straked fog lamp housing.  Side profile is garnished by the fender motif which enhanced the aggressiveness together with 18' Austin alloy wheel (3 door make do with 17' item, although both are wrapped by 225-mm tyre section). Rear changes are limited to spoiler and double exhaust outlet.

The interior is where the action will be. The sense of occasion is heightened by dark trim, accented by Tartan seat upholstery, leather wrapped flat-bottomed steering wheel with red stitching while similar treatment can be found on the gear knob too. The dashboard and the door trim (surprise, surprise which is not unlike Proton Preve/Suprima S, only the front door trim upper section is soft padded while the rear door is moulded of hard plastic) are adorns with the textured black deco. Driving position is occasion-like, likewise the relative positioning of the control item and dashboard ergonomics are all showing the depth of experience of the company designing it.

Underneath the hood lies the 220PS 2.0L mill packing the BlueMotion technology including the direct injection system and the turbocharger. The headline power figure is reached from 4,500rpm and sustained until 6,200rpm, whereas the fat torque curve spread from 1,500-4,400rpm where all 350Nm of it is available continuously. Drive is channelled via 6 speed DSG transmission. Performance is scorching, with 6.5s century sprint and 244 km/h of top speed.

The comprehensive equipment level however is not mirror by the 3 door version which unfortunately lose the Bi-Xenon headlight (get halogen instead and no LED fog lamp), only 17' Brooklyn alloy wheel, elimination of auto wiper, auto dimming, electric foldable mirror, USB and Bluetooh player while the aircond unit is of  manual type, smaller 5' infotainment system (down from 5.8') and there's no cruise control either. So there's quite a big chunk of equipment lost for the RM8,000 you save. The choice is yours. The gallery of the interior of the Volkswagen Golf GTI can be found after the jump to whip up your wet dream.

2013 Volkswagen GTI unveiled in Paris

Sombreness is the new aggressiveness. You may shout as loud as you will, but do it with with your lip shut. This is MMN analogy to describe the new appearance of the Mk7 Volkswagen Golf GTI. Clothed in a very, very restrained styling projection, which best describe as if the body flexing muscle is conceal by the tight-flat-wrapped clothing, hiding the athleticism from the being visible. The "mature" face hides a screaming 217bhp and 350Nm of power and torque produced by the new turbocharged, direct injected 2.0L lump employing the Start/Stop to boost fuel economy to the tune of 6.0L/100km.

Compared to the cooking Mk7, the GTI Design Study (yeah right) gets a different front fascia design, employing the legendary red stripes that run along the upper grille, and new for Mk7, into the headlights too. The bumper, while retaining similar outline, is actually more bulging and protruding outward, with prominent meshing grille pattern. The strakes adorns the fog lamp housing. The rear end meanwhile gets a smoked rear lights and 80mm diameter exhaust outlet poking on each side of the rear bumper valence. The car sits on the Brooklyn 17" alloys, with 18 inchers available as an option. The former is wrapped in 225/45 tyres. Other than that, the Golf GTI is pure Mk7 Golf, meaning that it is a clean-looking C Segment hatchback with stunning stressed-metal-sheet look customary to VAG family and littered with lots of tiny design detailing that counts beyond their sums.

Volkswagen Golf GTI is powered by the aforementioned 2.0L 4 cylinder engine, assisted by the modern direct injection system and boosted by a turbocharger. Transmission option is either 6MT or 6 speed DSG. There are two states of tune available. The standard tune offers 217PS and 350Nm of power and torque combo, while the Performance Pack liberates another 10PS. In the "lower-power guise", the new GTI sprints to 100km/h in 6.6s, on the way to 246km/h top speed. Opting for the Performance Pack cuts the century sprint time by 0.1s and rounded up the top speed to 250km/h. Going for the power pack not only liberates more power, but the handling is further enhanced by larger front disc brakes measuring 17-inch in diameter (with GTI  embossed on the caliper) and front axle differential lock.

The interior of the VW Golf GTI is garnished in the best of GTI tradition, meaning that the "tartan" upholstery pattern and the golf-ball shaped gear knob. Since the last generations too the flat-bottomed steering has been featured and carried into the Mk7 GTI with 3 metal spokes and high-gloss black trim. The dashboard is trimmed in similar high-gloss black too. The leather parts are red stitched, lending further ambiance of sportiness. Also making a strong statement is the GTI instrument cluster with a colour display and independent graphics of its instruments. It is no coincidence that it resembles high-end chronographs. The GTI-specific look of the interior is completed by red ambience lighting, special trim strips and panels (trim strips in the front doors with ambience lighting), brushed stainless steel pedals and foot rest (on left), door sill entry plates in front with a stainless steel application and ambience lighting that is also integrated here.

The Mk7 Volkswagen Golf GTI will be on sale in Europe in early 2013 in both 3 and 5 door body styles. UK will get the car in their summer. One more photo after the jump.