Golf VI: premature "facelift"?

[eckonc]

According to "Quattroruote", and the German Ed. of the "Financial Times" the Golf V (not yet distributed in the US (excluding the newly introduced Golf GTI) is very likely to undergo a premature "facelift."

Quattroruote reports that VW has decided to anticipate the introduction of the Golf VI (photos attached) to amend the design flaws of Golf V, and reduce product development cost; thus the Golf VI will be introduced in the year 2008.

Source: http://www.quattroruote.it/auto/mond...m?codice=52014

[VW2.0Driver]

Swweeeeeet

[hoonbug]

That just looks ugly and angry - which will put off many female buyers.

All I can say is... beyond poor interior plastics (compared with Golf IV), what design flaws? It rides so much better, the engines are amazingly better (particularly the 2.0 TDI, 2.0 FSI and 2.0 TFSI engines), and it looks pretty good to my eyes.

The only thing is that it does look quite dull compared to the new Honda Civic hatch on sale now in England. But then so does everything else on the planet. That is one good looking car with amazing features for the price.

Andrew

[SPIRU]

Man that looks tight!!! That Golf is HOT!

[SMG]

The new Golf front looks A1, the rear is a step back and the Civic just looks crappy.

[hoonbug]

The 06 Civic has caused Toyota to delay the introduction of their new Corolla, and now this "early" change (the Golf V has been known to the public for about three years now, so 2008 is hardly early for a mid-life freshen up) means it is a defining car, like the Banglization of BMW is causing creases and "flame surfaces" in most cars these days, including both the compgen of the Golf VI and the new Civic.

The Golf V is just so late arriving in the US as hatches don't sell well in the US, and the Jetta is a definite afterthought for EU (and most markets) as sedans sell so poorly there now, so it's designed (and released) somewhat after the main release, in the Golf V / Jetta V case, about 18 months after the main release.

Andrew

[pdoel]

I like the new changes. I had read that VW was going to give it a minor facelift to keep it inline with the other models. They all have that kinda look.

As for calling it a Golf VI? Well, unless it's on a completely new platform, it'd still be a Golf V with just a facelifted front end.

[Fowvay]

2008 for Europe and the rest of the world. 2011 for the North American market... probably.

Wow they just made the Golf V look old

[hoonbug]

I found the bits they used to make the compgens.

• The sides come from a merge of Alfa's 147, Golf V and EOS. You can tell it's the 147 from the rear quarter window and the right hand image's mirror
• The front lights and bonnet crease comes from the EOS and A pillar on up and the upper roofline is Golf V
• The rear treatment is a merge between the Golf V and the EOS light treatment, accentuating the angry beaver look

VW doesn't mind sharing some looks within families (see Polo GTI and Golf V GTI), but wouldn't steal sales from EOS by directly borrowing major details even if cost savings could be made, for the same reason the Jetta now looks somewhat different to the Golf to prevent "Golf with a boot" comments.

I'll wait for the real thing before passing final judgement. I'm not for angry beaver designs - I think they look silly and aggressive, and will date the car.

Andrew

[AmyJane]

Originally Posted by hoonbug

That just looks ugly and angry - which will put off many female buyers.

I dont know about that. Im likin it!

[kcfoxie]

"angry beaver look" ROFL that's the best way to describe it.

I think VW wants to appeal to more men. hmm totally unrealted, wasn't Audi the first to sponsor a woman race car driver?

[Billsbug]

I dig it. BTW kcfoxie, I'd be careful about using the terms 'angry beaver' and 'woman' in the same post...

[eckonc]

The design flaws are relative to the product development front: six sigma, so to speak.

Originally Posted by hoonbug

That just looks ugly and angry - which will put off many female buyers.

All I can say is... beyond poor interior plastics (compared with Golf IV), what design flaws? It rides so much better, the engines are amazingly better (particularly the 2.0 TDI, 2.0 FSI and 2.0 TFSI engines), and it looks pretty good to my eyes.

The only thing is that it does look quite dull compared to the new Honda Civic hatch on sale now in England. But then so does everything else on the planet. That is one good looking car with amazing features for the price.

Andrew

[Billsbug]

Originally Posted by eckonc

The design flaws are relative to the product development front: six sigma, so to speak.

Cool terminology! "Six Sigma is a term often defined as a measure of quality that strives for near perfection."

[mentalVdub]

i really dig the new look for the golf.

that civic, on the other hand, loox like complete arse.

[Oyveychris]

Originally Posted by wawalker

Yes it does, in fact, I'm wondering if Honda has a spy camera in my bathroom! I am quite sure I've seen that before floating in my toilet bowl.

The updated Golf looks very sweet.

LMAOROTF!

[gypsy73]

The new facelift is excellent automotive styling.

whereas that honda is an abomination to everything
on the road.
It looks like a mini Pontiac Asstek. YUCKK!!

[hoonbug]

Originally Posted by gypsy73

The new facelift is excellent automotive styling.

whereas that honda is an abomination to everything
on the road.
It looks like a mini Pontiac Asstek. YUCKK!!

And thus we see the difference in EU vs US tastes. The Civic is a huge success in Europe and there's a huge waiting list for it.

It's highly unlikely you folks will get the 06 Civic hatch (there are no current plans by Honda Australia to import it either, which is a shame as it would be my next car if I could get it here and I was staying). Instead, you will get the boring as dishwater Civic sedan, which looks like an evolution of the previous model. Which means more Golf V sales. Yay!

Andrew

[Concept1]

I really like those Golf VI renderings but that Civic hatchback looks weird, like a wedge shaped car I made for the Pinewood Derby back when I was in the Boy Scouts. Since the upcoming Scirocco is based on the Golf VI we'll probably get it before this new Golf seeing as how the current Golf has just been introduced.