GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk5 => Topic started by: Teutonic_Tamer on 19 September 2008, 13:08
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Quote from AM-online:
Volkswagen is shortening its model cycle in the face of fierce competition from Asian manufacturers.
The sixth generation Golf comes five years after the previous version instead of VW's traditional seven-year cycle.
Torsten Volkmer, head of VW product marketing, said: "There has been a lot of new competition in that time, not just from traditional rivals like Ford, Vauxhall, Renault and Peugeot but Korean car makers.
"Who would have thought five years ago that Hyundai and Kia would have cars that are genuine rivals to our own Golf? Then there have been new entrants like BMW's 1-Series and the Audi A3 bringing a different challenge to the sector."
Classless car
Volkmer explained that VW won’t be positioning the new Golf as a rival to the 1-Series of Audi A3 as it has been designed for a much wider customer base and must still be a “classless carâ€.
In the UK the new Golf will be launched with three trim levels, S, SE and GT with prices from around £13,000 to £21,000.
Sales in 2009 are expected to be around 60,000. In 2007, Volkswagen UK sold 67,570 Golfs. A three-door GTI will make its debut at the Paris motor show.
Hybrid Golf
VW has also already started testing a Twin Drive plug-in hybrid Golf in Berlin with 20 vehicles.
The system differs from other hybrids as it can use either a diesel or petrol engine and both the engine and electric motor are linked to a single gear transmission.
The car will be electronically powered at low speeds, with reverse always under electric power. The combustion engine takes over with the gearbox set in fifth gear.
Development so far has been carried out using a 1.5-litre TDI engine and VW is claiming fuel consumption of 113 mpg.
VW hasn’t yet announced when the model will be going on sale in the UK but dealers should expect it to hit roads before 2010.
*ends*
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Hmm, according to Top Gear magazine this month, the Golf MkVI has been introduced early because the MkV was too expensive to build in comparison :huh:. It wouldn't suprise me if that was the truth - as VW obviously wouldnt admit that as the reason for updating a model.
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So . . . . who do you trust the most? A dedicated and respected "professional trade-only" publisher, or a sensationalist "consumer" magazine? :smug:
And no, I don't have any particular dislike of Top Gear - in fact, the automotive world would be a much duller place without them (but we really do need to get rid of that utter shyte, commonly known as Fifth Gear :angry:). But would TG mag really have any desire to print what is relatively boring commerce-based issues? :wink:
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More importantly when is the Paris motor show !? :D
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More importantly when is the Paris motor show !? :D
Google - yer lazy fecker! :evil:
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More importantly when is the Paris motor show !? :D
convoy to paris anybody?? :lipsrsealed: :lipsrsealed: :rolleyes:
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More importantly when is the Paris motor show !? :D
convoy to paris anybody?? :lipsrsealed: :lipsrsealed: :rolleyes:
In a beat up old bus maybe - don't trust the Parisian drivers! :tongue:
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....Are we to assume that the Mk6 GTI will only be available as a 3-door? :sad:
I still don't see Hyundai and Kia as rivals but perhaps my head is buried in the sand. Still, one thing I've learnt from having my Mk5 GTI is that a base range standard car will never be for me! Unless of course it's a real performance car straight out of the box like a Porsche or even a new Evo X biggie....I'm now utterly spoilt!
If circumstances forced me into a small car it would have to be the Abarth version of a small Fiat - Just as an example.
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More importantly when is the Paris motor show !? :D
4th to the 19th October, I'll be there looking at the Mk6.... :smug:
Taking the piss out of the korean "white goods" on display.... :sick:
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This has probably been stated elsewhe before, but I have noticed that a part of the "cost cutting" programme involves replacing the excellent Mk5 multi link rear axle, with the mk4 setup on the new car ???? Bizarre move ???
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This has probably been stated elsewhe before, but I have noticed that a part of the "cost cutting" programme involves replacing the excellent Mk5 multi link rear axle, with the mk4 setup on the new car ???? Bizarre move ???
I'll ask our resident expert. :smug:
TT, your thoughts please, is the new MK6 rear axle a rejigged MK4 as Gareth believes, or a decent cheaper to manufacture upgrade :rolleyes:
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I still don't see Hyundai and Kia as rivals but perhaps my head is buried in the sand.
Well, according to those turds which present Fifth Gear - of course Kia are rivals to Volkswagen! :rolleyes:
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This has probably been stated elsewhe before, but I have noticed that a part of the "cost cutting" programme involves replacing the excellent Mk5 multi link rear axle, with the mk4 setup on the new car ???? Bizarre move ???
Where on earth did that BS come from? The yanks? :rolleyes:
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This has probably been stated elsewhe before, but I have noticed that a part of the "cost cutting" programme involves replacing the excellent Mk5 multi link rear axle, with the mk4 setup on the new car ???? Bizarre move ???
I'll ask our resident expert. :smug:
TT, your thoughts please, is the new MK6 rear axle a rejigged MK4 as Gareth believes, or a decent cheaper to manufacture upgrade :rolleyes:
It should have the identical multi-link rear end from the Mk5 - afterall, the "new Mk6" is actually built on the identical floorpan as the Mk5. Even the bulkead/firewall is identical! :rolleyes:
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I still don't see Hyundai and Kia as rivals but perhaps my head is buried in the sand.
Well, according to those turds which present Fifth Gear - of course Kia are rivals to Volkswagen! :rolleyes:
Own/drive a Kia or Hyundai, I'd rather cut my c0ck off :sick:
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Own/drive a Kia or Hyundai, I'd rather cut my c0ck off :sick:
:grin: i wouldnt go to the same degree as that mate but i understand the point and agree
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So . . . . who do you trust the most? A dedicated and respected "professional trade-only" publisher, or a sensationalist "consumer" magazine? :smug:
And no, I don't have any particular dislike of Top Gear - in fact, the automotive world would be a much duller place without them (but we really do need to get rid of that utter shyte, commonly known as Fifth Gear :angry:). But would TG mag really have any desire to print what is relatively boring commerce-based issues? :wink:
No I'm not saying I trust everything in TG - I realise that they mainly print for 'entertainment' purposes as opposed to absolute facts :wink:. However this article is based around a series of quotes, all of which are from the head of VW product marketing. What I meant was it is plausible, and that if VW make a statement about why they are changing to the new model 2 years early they're obviously not going to say it is to save themselves money. I dont believe either that Kia and Hyundai posed any threat to the customer base of the Mk V Golf and so I merely believe that this could be a possibility and that the reasons they have stated are simply 'marketing' spin.
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check this out chaps http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/Volkswagen-Golf/234355/ (http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/Volkswagen-Golf/234355/)
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So . . . . who do you trust the most? A dedicated and respected "professional trade-only" publisher, or a sensationalist "consumer" magazine? :smug:
And no, I don't have any particular dislike of Top Gear - in fact, the automotive world would be a much duller place without them (but we really do need to get rid of that utter shyte, commonly known as Fifth Gear :angry:). But would TG mag really have any desire to print what is relatively boring commerce-based issues? :wink:
No I'm not saying I trust everything in TG - I realise that they mainly print for 'entertainment' purposes as opposed to absolute facts :wink:. However this article is based around a series of quotes, all of which are from the head of VW product marketing. What I meant was it is plausible, and that if VW make a statement about why they are changing to the new model 2 years early they're obviously not going to say it is to save themselves money. I dont believe either that Kia and Hyundai posed any threat to the customer base of the Mk V Golf and so I merely believe that this could be a possibility and that the reasons they have stated are simply 'marketing' spin.
And I actually agree with you. :wink: I think it is well known that the Golf 5 was expensive to produce. However, this is not some kind of knee-jerk reaction - Volkswagen are simply responding to two crucial business areas, economics, and what their competators are doing. :smug:
And whilst most sane Volkswagen owners would never consider that Kia, Hyundai, and any of the other Asian manufacturers could be seen as direct competators - they (VW) would be foolish not to respond to the media bollox from the likes of VBH and her pond life at Fifth Gear. And they would also be foolish not to respond to the current economic climate.
I have no doubt that many early Golf 5 owners, who might in normal economic times, have changed for a newer Golf 5 on a regular basis - are now actually not buying them. But if VW can tempt them with a fresh new model, this should then kick-start sales of Golfs again. :nerd:
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check this out chaps http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/Volkswagen-Golf/234355/ (http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/Volkswagen-Golf/234355/)
Yup, that confirms what I stated in an earlier thread about VW wanting to make maintenance on the newly developed engine cheaper.
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im quite sad about the R version,i was hoping they would have used the v6 with more power and forget the emisions,after all it was a enthusiasts car that was surpost to be produced in limited numbers and most enthusiasts would still buy it,i presume its just going to be like the s3 to drive ,dull but not as boring to the eye. all imo of course
Im not surprised the gti out so soon as its basicly is a face lift.Im sure mk iv came out virtualy straight away i think i remember seeing R reg and S reg gti turbos for sale.I expect gti values to fall a lot more now,edition 30 not as sharp as the bhp issue.
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....Yep, that V6 sound is awesome and it's definitely an enthusiast's car but there are too many accountants running businesses nowadays imo.
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....Yep, that V6 sound is awesome and it's definitely an enthusiast's car but there are too many accountants running businesses nowadays imo.
Aint that the truth RR!! Should have seen the look on my accountants face when I told him I had got an R32 and he should try get me my VAT back :laugh:
He just peered over his spec's with a blank look :huh: