The Volkswagen Golf Mk7 is the first truly new Golf since the Mk5 (upon which the current Mk6 is heavily based) and will make its public debut at the Paris Motor Show in September.
The latest news, however, is that Volkswagen will in fact begin production of the new Golf Mk7 as soon as August, at their Wolfsburg and Zwickau factories. US industry journal Automotive News reports the factories will convert to modular transverse matrix (MQB) platform production processes during a three-week summer break.
The all-new Golf Mk7 will be the second MQB-based vehicle built by the VW Group following the new Audi A3. The flexible platform will be used as the base for cars across Volkswagen Group’s many brands including Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda, Seat, and even underpins the Bentley EXP 9F SUV concept.
The Golf 7′s exterior styling is expected to be an evolution of the current model’s design DNA as Volkswagen does not want to alienate buyers of its most successful model series. The new car is also expected to be lighter than the current Golf, while continuing to be offered in its familiar body styles of: three- and five-door hatchback; estate and cabriolet.
A number of new petrol and diesel engines will be available in the new Golf. The range will start with a new 55 kW, 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder and end with a 165 kW, 1.8-litre, 4-cylinder for the Golf GTI. It’s not yet known what engine will power the next Golf R, but that hot hatch is a couple of years away yet. A choice of new, eco-friendly, Golf 7 models will also be available in the form of both petrol and diesel hybrid powertrains and a fully electric alternative.
