First Drive: Volkswagen Golf Mk7

The new Volkswagen Golf is available for less than €20,000

More than 200,000 Volkswagen Golfs have been sold in Ireland since the marque was launched in 1974, and Volkswagen believes there are currently 81,000 on the road in this country.

The Golf has long been a phenomenal success for the German car maker.

It has taken the number 1 spot in its segment in Ireland for the past four years, and Volkswagen Ireland is hoping that the seventh generation model, which was launched here yesterday, will continue that pattern.

Its managing director Simon Elliott describes the new Volkswagen Golf as ‘a brilliant car’ and after our all too brief spin in it yesterday, we’re certainly looking forward to having it all to ourselves for a proper test drive.

Three petrol and two diesel engine options are available in the new Volkswagen Golf from launch with all models falling into the new A2-A4 tax bands, meaning annual road tax of between €180 and €200.

Efficient Bluemotion technology such as Stop/Start and gear change indicator are also standard across the new Golf range.

Volkswagen Ireland expects the 1.6-litre TDI (diesel) 105hp model to be the volume seller. It puts out 99g/km of CO2 and falls into tax band A3.

The cockpit in the new Volkswagen Golf is uncluttered and functional, with at-a-glance access to controls

Volkswagen has also announced that it will not be adjusting its prices to take into account VRT increases in last week’s Budget.

We took the manual 1.4 ACT 140HP TSI (petrol) model for a quick spin around the frost-tinged west Dublin/north Kildare countryside yesterday.

ACT or Active Cylinder Technology is a fuel saving measure which returns a 13g/km CO2 saving and allows this car to sit in the A4 tax band category.

While road conditions during our test meant we had to be extra careful, we did manage to get a feel for the car and enjoyed the smooth drive, seamless gear changes and peppy engine.

The cabin in the new Volkswagen Golf is roomy and comfortable, with a nice, clean driver-focused cockpit.

Air conditioning, electronic parking brake, and the up!-premiered variable luggage compartment floor are standard in all new Golfs.

However, you’ll have to increase your spend by €1,650 for the mid-level Comfortline trim if you want Bluetooth, Cruise Control and rear electric windows.

Our test car was the top of the range Highline, which has sports seats with lumbar support and front fog lamps, fatigue detection, multiple impact braking and leather multi-function steering wheel as standard.

The boot in the new Volkswagen Golf has underfloor storage

Extras fitted to our car included the Discover Pro Navigation System, park assist with distance control monitor, adaptive cruise control and lane assist.

As well as parallel and perpendicular parking, park assist will also drive you out of a space.

Dynamic Light Assist, which allows you to drive on full beam lights all the time and automatically dips them for oncoming traffic, is also available as an option.

Volkswagen Group Ireland MD Simon Elliott said ‘The Golf has been on sale here in Ireland for over three decades and has always been a top-seller. This latest generation car is bigger, cleaner and safer than ever before and we are delighted to be announcing such competitive pricing for the new car.’

Prices for the new Volkswagen Golf start from €19,995 for the three-door 1.2-litre 85bhp entry level Trendline model, with the diesel line up starting from €22,695 for the 105bhp 1.6-litre TDI model.

Prices for the Highline 1.4 ACT 140HP TSI model we were driving start from €26,745, with optional extras bringing the price of our car to €33,081.

Visit the Volkswagen Ireland website or its Facebook page for further details.

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