FAW VW to make 6th-gen Golf hatchback in 2009

Shanghai, October 9 (Gasgoo.com) The all-new Golf hatchback of Volkswagen AG made its global debut in concept form at the ongoing 2008 Paris Motor Show, and FAW-VW, a joint venture of China FAW Group and Volkswagen AG, will manufacture this sixth-generation Golf in late 2009, said xinhuanet.com today.

The six-generation Golf is the first model developed by Volkswagen on its all-new PQ36 platform and has featured the latest design elements for VW's Scirocco sports hatchback. The new Golf has been given a sharper front end, essentially similar to the new Scirocco, which does give it a sportier image, plus a higher waistline and large wrap-around rear lights.

The state-of-the-art drive-train and chassis technology is also included, such as an electronic limited slip differential (XDS) linked to a sophisticated ESP (electronic stabilization program) system, a first for the Golf.

Four variants of the TSI gasoline engine will be offered, including the 122PS and 160PS engines which use the TSI technology with supercharger and/or turbocharger first used in more recent versions of the Golf V. The new engine is also more efficient, returning 37.6 mpg on the combined cycle while emitting 178 g/km of CO2 compared to 189 g/km for the outgoing model.

FAW-VW is expected to manufacture the six-generation Golf in the second half of 2009. The China-made new Golf will likely carry the 1.4L and 1.6L TSI gasoline engines. And the six-generation Golf GTI will be imported to China for sale. The all-new Golf will start production in Europe in the spring of next year.