And at the end of the year, after a long wait, Volkswagen Golf finally arrives, eighth generation. The dogma of renewal in respect of tradition is respected once again: it is a Golf from the first glance, which gives heart to the butterflies in the stomach to those who have led at least one of those 35 million specimens sold worldwide. At 45 years from the first presentation, the best-selling medium sedan in Europe, a symbol of modernity and safety, has the difficult task, but so far always achieved, of renewing itself profoundly without changing itself. Meanwhile, however, the automotive world scene has completely changed its references to the launch of the seventh generation.
New engines, new policies, new lines, new requirements have now become wider, making the bet even more difficult.
We tested the Nuova Golf 8 during the world press presentation in Porto, Portugal. At the wheel is a pleasant confirmation. Solid, immediate, immediately confides and instills confidence. In our test, we drove the 130 hp petrol version and the 150 TDI which confirmed the usual handling and feeling, with almost overlapping performances in the track layout.
Impeccable road holding. Built on the same platform as the seventh generation, the MQB, the 8 also has dimensions very similar to the previous one: the pace is the same, the difference in the external measurements is small. CX improved, down to 0.275. The more aggressive front, the LED headlights, the streamlined lines that draw the sides to meet on the tail are well accompanied by totally renewed interiors. The dashboard becomes digital in all settings: the cockpit, a 10.25 inch monitor, is completely customizable; 8.5 inches for the infotainment screen. Away all the buttons: from the bridge, from the doors, from the tunnel and from the roof. In addition constant connection that allows remote updates, assisted driving up to 210 km / h, Car2X system that keeps the car connected and warns in advance of possible dangers.
Already in the access version there is the Lane Assist for lane maintenance, the Front Assist perimeter control system with City emergency braking function and pedestrian detection, the keyless central locking and the front and rear LED lights. The 'queen' of Wolfsburg will be equipped for the Italian market launch with two petrol engines (1.0 TSI EVO 110 hp, manual gearbox and 1.5 TSI EVO ACT130 CV, manual gearbox), two turbodiesel 2.0 (TDI 115 hp, manual gearbox and TDI 150 HP, DSG automatic transmission), followed by 9 other engines: two petrol (1.0 with 110 hp and 1.5 with 150 hp), two hybrids (1.0 with 110 hp and 1.5 with 130 hp), two plug-in hybrids ( both 1.4, 204 and 245 hp), two turbodiesels (both 2.0 with 115 and 150 hp) and one with methane fueled (1.5 with 130 hp). The launch preparations in Italy are Life and Style, for each of which there is also a 1st edition in a limited edition of 700 units. The basic set-ups will arrive later. Bookable immediately, first delivery in March 2020. Prices from 25.750 euros.
In its 45 years of life, Golf has written a fundamental chapter in the history of the car: born in 1974 to replace the Beetle, certainly not easy, it was sold in 35 million copies worldwide: one every 40 seconds. Italy has always loved it, and has bought 2.5 million over the years. As many as 700 thousand Golfs from previous generations still circulating and - underlines Andrea Alessi, Director of Volkswagen Italy - two out of three owners buy a Golf again when it is time to change cars. After two days in close contact, we can say that the Golf 8 bet is won. For the first time, however, the German queen sees the throne of Wolfsburg falter, squeezed on one side by the T-Roc suv that has already surpassed it in sales, and on the other by the electric ID.3. Perhaps, the Golf of the future.
