Volkswagen Australia calls the Golf 7.5, a car that ‘‘democraticises technology’’ by bringing fresh kit to the booming compact car market.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
It’s not really a “new Golf” but has been released to keep the car on par with rivals.
External changes are slim – there are new LED head and tail lamps and reworked lower bumper treatments, as well as reshaped front guards that match the fresh facades with a sharper crease over restyled wheels.
It’s a similar story under the bonnet, where VW Australia will press on with existing 1.4-litre petrol and 2.0-litre diesel options instead of adopting a new 1.5-litre engine designed to meet increasingly strict CO2 requirements in Europe.
Instead, the news comes from fresh tech such as a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster that replaces conventional clocks in the driver’s eyeline: fully customisable to display a range of widescreen maps, vehicle data, entertainment options and more.
There’s also a new 9.2-inch central infotainment display that does away with physical buttons, including a volume knob, while introducing gesture control for the first time.
High-end models equipped with active cruise control now have basic autonomous driving in traffic at low speed.
Remarkably quiet on the road, the diesel unit offers impressive refinement to match improved fuel economy brought on by an extra gear in the transmission.
The Golf retains outstanding onroad manners anchored by composed ride, excellent body control and crisp steering response.
