New Golf wins World Car of the Year Award

The New Golf has proved its global appeal by winning the World Car of the Year award.
This is the second year in a row that Volkswagen has won the World Car of the Year title and the fourth time since the awards were launched nine years ago. The up! won in 2012, Polo in 2010, and the Golf Mk VI in 2009.

The new triumph news comes less than a month after the Golf claimed the prestigious European Car of the Year award.

The hatchback was awarded the honour at the New York International Auto Show, beating rivals the Porsche Boxster and Cayman, Mercedes A-Class and Toyota GT86 and Subaru BR-Z sports car.

The World Car Awards jurors, made up of 66 journalists from around the world, commented: “Honed over seven generations since its launch in 1974, the Golf is as close to the perfect hatchback design as any car company has come yet.

“Right-sized but spacious, practical and comfortable inside, the latest Golf has been brought up to date with a fresh if evolutionary design, a range of new engines, plus an impressive list of equipment and safety features. What’s more, it’s fun to drive. If ever there was a car for everyman, the Golf is it.’

Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG, said: ‘We at Volkswagen are all delighted that the Golf has been named ‘World Car of the Year’. To win this award again shows that the Golf is and remains in a class of its own all around the world.

“This car sets new benchmarks again and again, not least in terms of efficiency and environmental credentials. Soon, for instance, the Golf will also be launched as a plug-in hybrid and as a 100 per cent electric car.”

Earlier in March the New Golf also won the best lower-medium car category in Fleet News car of the year awards.

New Golf GTI and GTD

The latest Hot Hatch Pair are open for ordering from Tuesday 26th March. From this date, you will be able to configure your new GTI and GTD at www.volkswagen.co.uk.

Golf GTI

The new GTI’s engine packs a 220 PS punch that delivers incredible performance and makes the most of the New Golf’s gains in efficiency and dynamics. 

For the first time Volkswagen are offering the Performance Pack option for the GTI. The pack upgrades the car’s power to 230 PS, and adds larger diameter brake discs and a mechanical limited-slip differential.

There's also sports suspension, twin exhaust pipes, red brake calipers, 18in alloy wheels, special side sills, a rear diffuser and smoked LED lights to finish the transformation.

Golf GTD

The new GTD has a 184 PS common-rail diesel engine, making it the most powerful GTD to date, and returns a frugal 67.3 mpg. As a result, the new GTD accelerates from 0-62mph in 7.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 143mph.

The GTD gets a new look with 17-inch alloy wheels, a rear spoiler and two chromed tailpipes that sit on the side of the new rear bumper.

Inside is the classic tartan pattern seats, a sports steering wheel, GTD trim strips and instrument cluster, automatic climate control and ‘ParkPilot'.

Both the Golf GTI and GTD are open for ordering on Tuesday 26th March.

SEAT Leon SC

At 380 litres, even the luggage compartment is as generously proportioned as that of the five-door variant.

The new Leon SC is packed with technology, including state-of-the-art infotainment, intelligent driver assistance systems, systematic weight reduction measures, the latest generation of engines, and a chassis tuned to strike the perfect balance between comfortable day-to-day use and engaging driving.

All engines combine power with cost effectiveness, with the cleanest 1.6-litre TDI emitting less than 100 g/km CO2.

Just like the five-door Leon, the Leon SC is offered in S, SE and FR.

The design: a powerful look

Although it is only 35 millimetres shorter than the five-door model, the visual effect is very powerful.

With its perfectly balanced proportions, the new Leon SC cuts a fine figure from the very first glance. The relationship between its length, height and width, plus its short overhangs, convey its dynamics even at a standstill. Inspired by the design language developed through the IBE, IBL and IBX concept vehicles, the three-door compact car is the dynamic interpretation of the SEAT design language.

The expansive rear windscreen, with its coupé-like sweep, is 19 degrees more inclined compared with the five-door marking a further characteristic feature of the new Leon SC.

The drive: efficient and powerful

The new Leon SC is launched with a series of powerful and efficient TDI and TSI engines, all of which feature direct injection and turbocharging and are set up for rapid warm-up and low internal friction.

At the most economical end of the spectrum, the 1.6 TDI is equipped with Start/Stop System and Energy Recovery has an average fuel consumption of just 74.3 mpg, equating to a CO2 figure of just 99 g/km. The 2.0 TDI, which drives the Leon SC with a powerful 150 PS and 320 Nm, can travel an impressive 68.9 miles on a gallon of fuel* and emits just 106 g/km.  

The Leon SC will be officially unveiled at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show.

*Official EU combined mpg rating

Meet the New Golf R Cabriolet

The first ever open-top R model will open for ordering this Spring priced at £38,770 RRP OTR.

The new range-topping cabriolet is powered by a four-cylinder 2.0-litre engine, which propels the car from 0 to 62 mph in just 6.4 seconds, with an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph. This makes the New Golf R Cabriolet the fastest open top Golf in history.

Exterior

The New Golf R Cabriolet offers a bespoke front bumper with a gloss-black grille and 'R' logo. The sports chassis means the Golf sits 25mm lower than the standard Golf Cabriolet sitting on 19" Alloy wheels.

On closer inspection you will see the new painted black brake calipers sporting the Golf R logo to go with the new black door mirror casings.

The look is finished with side sill extensions, a gloss black rear diffuser framed by chrome-tipped exhausts either side and smoked LED tail lights. 

The fully electric insulated hood, operated by a switch in the centre console, can be lowered in 9.5 seconds at speeds of up to 18 mph (and raised in 11.0 seconds).

Interior

The cabriolet has four individual sports seats in ‘Vienna Cool Leather’, with ‘R’ logos in the head restraints. 
The multi-function steering wheel is leather wrapped with handbrake grip and gear lever sporting a contrasting grey stitching. 

Pedals feature brushed aluminium caps, and the doors and dashboard have ‘Silver Lane’ aluminium decorative inlays.

Spec includes DAB radio with MDI (multi-device interface) and Bluetooth telephone connectivity. 

The New Golf R Cabriolet opens for ordering on 5th March with deliveries expected in May.