The new 2009 Volkswagen Golf
Here’s the first official pictures of the new 2009 Volkswagen Golf.
The sixth incarnaton of the Golf has a front-end that looks very reminiscent of its sibling the new Scirocco - which has divided opinion on this blog.
What do you think of the new Golf?
It’s only five years since the current Golf (Mark V) hit the streets. But Volkswagen is understood to want to cut production costs of the car, hence the rush to the new model.
VW claim the new car will be able to average 62.7 miles per gallon using its 108 bhp, 2-litre diesel, which emits just 119g/km of CO2.
There will also be sportier versions - the Golf GTi is expected to use Volkswagen’s 250bhp 2-litre TFSI engine. No word on what may be in store for the R32 model yet, though.
The public will get the first chance to see the car up close at the 2009 Paris Motor Show in October.
The Golf is an enormously popular cars and, along with the BMW 3 Series, is one of the two cars that is searched for most frequently on Auto Trader. There are over 13,000 used Golfs and Golf Pluses available on Auto Trader at the time of writing.
What do you think of the new-look Volkswagen Golf? Do you run a Golf at the moment? Give your verdict on the new version below.
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- New 2009 Volkswagen Golf - interior
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- The new 2009 Volkswagen Golf
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- New 2009 Volkswagen Golf - rear
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- New 2009 Volkswagen Golf - front
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- New 2009 Volkswagen Golf - side
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- New 2009 Volkswagen Golf - rear
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- New 2009 Volkswagen Golf - front
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29 Comments
August 5, 2008 at 11:48 am
Isn’t it just a re-skinned MK 5? Also I’m concerned about the build quality given that they have retired the MK 5 prematurely at 5 years old and still class-leader because the MK 6 will be half the price to build.
The new common rail 2.o Tdi should be a big improvement, however. As a MK 5 2.0Tdi owner and also a Focus TDci owner, the Golf’s unit is very effective in terms of shove and economy but it is harsh throughout the range.
Overall, though, I like the look of the new MK 5 but is too evolutionary to warrant the term “new generation”, they should have called it the MK5.5.
August 5, 2008 at 2:53 pm
To me it looks like a cross between Tiguan and Scirocco. Same as the previous Golf, the rear looks still bulky and not very aggressive!
August 5, 2008 at 4:09 pm
I too have concerns about the build quality of the Mk6 as they have already said they Mk5 is being replaced because it is too expensive to produce compared to rivals.
I expect a noticeable jump in prices justified by ‘new’ features further reducing sales as per the MK5. The Mk4 was a success volume wise because it was priced correctly, especially with the GT TDi spec but this has been lost with the Mk5.
August 5, 2008 at 6:26 pm
I agree with Chris hooper looks abit like the mk5 with a few tweeks to the shape. I currently own a mk4 and prefer the shape to the mk5. Also I have heard about quality issues and that the price you pay for the quality sometimes does not match what you are getting in the finished product as read a few customer reviews complaining about creeking cabins specially the dash. But am still interested to know what the GTI will look like.
August 5, 2008 at 6:45 pm
Hmmm… looks like a car to me, a plain old car… buuUUut the GT TDi spec seems lost to the Mk5 now (Mk6) that it’s been remodeled into the WSj7, which is still better then last years TYU7m, but come-on you can’t get worse then the TYU7m.. well maybe the NUxyz-1234, that one was the awesomest of them all… ah I miss the NUxyz-1234.
August 6, 2008 at 12:44 am
I also have price concerns.
There is no way the new price tag will warrant the extra “gas boost”.
I will always prefer the Mk4 as I still drive one.
They are ll starting to look the same to me…..
August 6, 2008 at 10:05 am
I think it looks great!
Having owned and loved a Mk4 GTi for years I am sure that the build quality will be just fine compared to the Astra I have been relegated to driving to since getting married and having a child!
August 7, 2008 at 9:11 am
Looks like the new sirocco,
Has the same features as standard as a Sirocco,
a 2ltre 250bhp TSI engine better than the 2ltr 197bhp TSI engine in the sirocco,
almost identical interior to the sirocco…….
Why would i buy a Siricco? are they seriously going to throw away all that money spent on design/production and then just destroy it’s sales?
I was seriously close to buying a sirocco, i waited and searched for all specs hoping for an 3.2 version….but that seems very unlikely in the near future…..and now i’m not so sure. Why should i buy a supposed sports car that is out witted by a family hatch?
I was desperate for an upgrade to my golf mk4 (still the best golf) and thought the sirocco was it….now i’m not so sure…..
Someone at VW is a complete Nugget….
August 7, 2008 at 10:04 am
The Golf is a machine that will not die ever.
We hope not cost BOTH.
August 7, 2008 at 3:42 pm
I hope that the new Gti will have the powerplant to bring it back to somewhere near the top of the pile as regards performance.
I have always had a soft spot for the golf gti but the last few incarnations have fallen short both in terms of BHP, 0-60 and max mph to most other hot hatches.
Sure the R32 is quick, but also costs £5k-8k more than most of the competition.
I drive a Mazda3 MPS which while lacking the pedigree, more than makes up for it in sheer performance.
If the new golf is to really work, they need to get the gti right and back where it belongs, as the top hot hatch…
August 8, 2008 at 8:40 am
So the MK 6 is being rushed into production to reduce production costs, I wonder if the MK 6 will be cheaper to buy than the MK 5 then!?
Sorry but this is VW at it`s best right now sharing parts like dashboards & engines with other models & brands they own like Seat which makes financial sense.
But they always want a premium as you are buying a VW because 20+ years ago they were ultra reliable & solid, but then the rest of the car world caught up with that, giving us the modern car which we expect to start first time & not rust after being a year old!
Sorry VW but you are not fooling me with this largely unnoticeable restyle, even though you will claim it to be a “so many percentage” new from the ground up vehicle!
August 8, 2008 at 6:12 pm
As a slightly bias VW carsalesman of 5 years, Im reading some comments on here about the mk5 golf and new mk6 and they seem a little lacking in education. Firstly, (Ben MPS) the Mk5 GTI was top of the pile. (even Clarkson said it) it had the GTI heritage, it had performance (although maybe not as much as some of its rivals) but where it excelled past the competition was its ability to use all of its power. it didnt spin up through every gear, nor suffer torque steer like most higher powered rivals did. secondly, RYAN. The scirocco is going to take on a 3.6 but not from launch. It will be roughly Autumn 2009. This has been apparant through VWs marketing since the mk4. They start with some ”Okay” engines, then add a GTI and then a range topper (R32) With the Sirocco it will benefit from the ”GTI spec” from launch at 200ps. Missing out the more basic engines until latter on, Which is something the Mk6 cannot boast. Mk6 will be launched with the TDI engines up to 140ps and probably the petrol side will top out at the 160ps 1.8TSI engine. It wont be until Autumn 09 that the golf GTI mk6 may appear (its rumoured it may be 250ps, but mark my words, VW will but exactly the same 250ps engine in the Scirocco within a year and probably before the mk6 gets it) and then historically, another year before an R32 version. (which will now be an R36) So the Sirocco is a great design. It will fill the void of ‘hot hatch’ between mk5 and Mk6, and as a 4 seater it takes a slighly different market to the mk6, it also looks alot more aggressive which may help to compete against the VXR on looks. because lets face it. Thats the only thing Vauxhall can claim to beat VW at, Even their prices arent that much better these days.
Now ive nearly finished moaning, i will moan some more. The rear end of the mk6 is a little dissapointing. It looks to flat and seems to of recieved a Touareg rear light transplant.
In all, im sure it will be just as good as every other golf, just as practical, and just as sit on the fence like. The car that time wont forget. Because its not ‘fashionable’ enough to ever go out of fashion. Im sure you get my point. Its just a car, a nice, well built…. car. and that is where the Scirocco will win hands down. Its special, Different, and its the first VW ive sold that some people ‘Dont like’. (except the golf plus, still got no idea why VW designed it) Its one of the only current VWs that generate proper opinions, its sporty, sexy and some may say ugly, but either way, it draws an opinion. not just ”yeah, it looks OK.”
August 9, 2008 at 4:30 pm
I think it looks crap. Honestly, the golf is supposed to be ‘the’ hot hatches of hot hatches. No where near the aggressive look im looking for out of the golf. Might need to move over to the cupra or S3.
August 10, 2008 at 8:25 pm
I personally cannot see much difference except the rear looks a bit like the Alfa. As a MK5 TDI 1.9 owner, I can honestly say I love it, but I also had a Mk 4 and i loved that too. Can’t really tell yet looking at prototype, i will reserve judgement until I see finished product.
August 12, 2008 at 10:27 pm
The whole idea of a golf is understated! What a load of rubbish written above.
If you want a ‘nice’ looking car get an astra or a focus or citreon C4- Be honest are these nice looking cars? No just boy racer machines.
Mk 5 golf the best looking and driving GTI ever, if the new one looks the same, thats the whole idea!
Is a real vw enthusiast going to move to Seat? Five minutes in a Leon is enough.
The only issues with the current golf are build quality, creaking dash etc. And lets be honest tractor engines, the new 108 bhp is the one everyone will go for, if vw have the engines and interior right, its a surefire winner.
In the real world (Fuel crisis) a car with 110 bhp, 35 quid tax, decent performance, well built, and mad combined 62.7 mpg will always sell and make VW top of the tree.
Despite claims of poorer reliability im on my fourth mark 5 with zero problems. Bring on the next model looks fabulous.
August 18, 2008 at 12:38 pm
I don’thave concerns about the build quality.
In developing the Mk5, VW probably spent a load of money on the R&D costs. These costs, even though they aren’t actually costs now, are proportionally added onto each car that is built. This makes the cost of the car inflated. This is what they are meant to do with R&D costs in their accounts. It’s all about reporting the number to shareholders!
By cutting out much of this R&D on the Mk6, they are saving loads and increasing the margins without actually spending more/less actually building the car.
It looks great and hopefully goes well too. We’ll see, but I think I’ll be buying one.
August 18, 2008 at 12:45 pm
PS - Re: the fuel spec…
BMW 118d - 130bhp, 62.7mpg, 118g/100km
It’s a little more expensive, but VW certainly didn’t get there first with that one…
August 23, 2008 at 2:41 pm
I agree with what Chapperz has said, but I have more to add!!
I have a Mark V Golf Gti and I love it! I love the styling, I love it’s understated, but timeless looks and I also love the little bits of classic GTI Styling, the tartan seats, red trim at grill and red brake calipers.
I have seen the Mark 6, at first I thought “Oh its just the same as my one”, but look closer and its evolved and matured into a real winner!
If you want brash styling, tacky add on air scoops, over exagarated front wings then go for the cheap, classless Focus ST (in its vomit orange paint work). The GTI is the original hot hatch so it doesn’t need to contend with other pretend “hot hatches” (inc Vauxhalls garish torque steering wannabe hot hatch the VXR).
I am hoping to replace my fantastic red mark 5 GTI in Sept 09, and like many GTI fans I will be looking for the same kind of styling as is on the mark 5, but perhaps with a few more BHP coming from the magnifent 200psi torbo unit in the mark 5! I also hope VW keep some of the paint colours in the mark 5, as Candy white and Tornado red were simply made for the GTI!
So here’s the challenge VW…give us a GTI that will satisfy true GTI fans, but not offend the more conservative drivers out there! I am now 30 and been through my phase of brash hot hatches and super minis, now I want to drive a mature grown up hot hatch and there is only 1 badge I will trust to give me that, and that is Volkswagen!!
September 16, 2008 at 1:22 pm
The new Golf looks like a bit of a face-lift! I’m sure it will continue to sell, having owned 3 Golf’s to date, I hope they have gone back to the soft feel dash and door cappings.
Shame about the fact that they are ditching the Classic and very Stylish “Blue Dash Lights with Red Needles” though. This colour scheme looks FANTASTIC, they have clearly not consulted their customers on that issue!!!
September 16, 2008 at 5:32 pm
The result of a slap dash cost cutting exercise.
If the Ford or Vauxhalls of this world had done this everyone would be universally panning the new car.
However there seems to be so much unjustified residual ‘VW love’ in the motoring press VW escapes the truth; VW’s are no better than other car’s, just more boring to look at and more expensive to buy.
September 16, 2008 at 9:04 pm
Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear VW really should have more imagination than this! This MK6 Golf is a rehash! It looks like a MK3 Golf, has the interior of the MK 4 & the MK 5’s chassis.
Almost of all of its rivals are more striking, where are the natty details, that make you proud to be the owner?
Conclusion: Competent in all areas but its the usual dull, overpriced German fodder.
September 17, 2008 at 8:57 pm
VW is one of the most powerful car firms, my point is that they have enough money to spend on Research & Development. MK6 is very very similar to the MK5.
Design is very bland.
I am truly disappointed.
September 18, 2008 at 10:06 pm
as a mk.5 2.0tdi gt owner the mk.6 does not look too different from outgoing mk.5……..main concerns are price……..eg audi A3,bmw 1, competative.tyre wear problem on mk.5 hopefully resolved…roof shape on mk5 allowed rainwater to fall on lap of rear seat passengers when doors opened….same problem opening tailgate water running down struts…and the windnoise around front doors restricts having the radio on as unable to hear at comfortable level.Hope economy of mk.6 is as good or better as 5…..I think price will be the judge of the mk.6
September 21, 2008 at 12:38 am
There is nothing wrong with improving an exisiting model and its what VW have done. But where is a 1.6 Diesel? I own a MK5 its been fine apart from the bumpy jittery suspension, now I see why there is an option of normal comfort & sport? BUT why not have the normal on the S. comfort on the SE and sport on the Sports model?
The Golf has been a good car and I think leads the htach market, not sure I would buy one straight away as I have to wait until VWUK put back all the accessories they take off first at launch, unlike in Germany
September 23, 2008 at 4:13 pm
Does anyone know if there will be a new VW GT sport version coming out and if so when?
October 18, 2008 at 5:51 am
The VW website has just been updated with further details of the MK6.
So much for the widely quoted CO2 figures for the 2.0L 110 PS TDI producing 119g/km. The website and brochure state 128g/km only 1 less than the 140PS engine. In fact there is no mention of any engine with the band B 119g/km figures
I have been waiting for the MK6 golf in order to get a lower emission car and save money on road tax. Now either this is a typo in both their website and brochure, or VW have not been totaly truthful in their pre-release literature! Given that over 5 years that is going to cost £400 extra in road tax (assuming the costs stay the same) and with the almost £1500 price rise over the equivalent 5 door it makes the Audi A3 a far more attractive proposition.
Also it begs the question what other pre-release facts do not convey the full picture!
November 4, 2008 at 3:43 pm
Jaw droppingly good, and to think its made out of the same component parts as a skoda!!!!
November 26, 2008 at 10:50 pm
Can i just say its a real shame not many car makers are making cars that really get your heart racing, the new Golf looks very ordinary its almost bland. It may be a fantastic car to drive, own and live with, but Im sorry if I am the only one who is drawn to a car for its looks. Being a bit of a snob, I am drawn to quality brands, but am left with very little choice when it comes to a hatch, blimey, maybe i should go for the new Megane coupe, now there is a stunner and great detailing, something fresh at least and not a re-hash of an already uninspiring look….. come on you Germans, stop being so conservative!
December 24, 2008 at 9:18 pm
i agree its not so different to the mk5 as it sits on the same platform, but the styling has improved and i like the new scirroco style front on it and hope to see it throughout the new volkswagen range in future. the s and se models look rather dull but i the gt and gti models i believe are the most attractive in its class.
the ford focus, civic type r, megane sport will be no match for the gti or R studie if it comes out in future, and volkswagens build quality will never go down hill, cant wait to see them on the roads
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