Filed under: Hatchbacks, Volkswagen
VW of America: Golf VI is heading to the U.S.
by Alex Nunez on Jun 17th 2008 at 1:56PM 
While the European press reports that VW honcho Martin Winterkorn has iced plans to sell the Golf Mk VI in the United States, a rep for the automaker's American division has responded to the contrary. Volkswagen of America spokesman Steve Keyes told Inside Line that plans to introduce the 6th-generation Golf and GTI in the U.S. continue apace, with a Stateside introduction scheduled for next fall. Keyes also told IL that the new Golf's sales volumes have been factored into VWoA's '09 financials. The world should get its first official look at the Golf VI at this year's Paris Motor Show in October.
[Source: Inside Line]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Noe 2:04PM (6/17/2008)
hopefully this time they'll come with an efficient 4 banger! plz
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Kingcyrus 2:07PM (6/17/2008)
until they change those headlights, they can keep these things oversees.
Maverick Saturn 2:15PM (6/17/2008)
Whats wrong with the headlights, I think it looks sweet, maybe its the silver lining.
Allan 2:28PM (6/17/2008)
I think you're in a very small minority about the headlights. But look at it this way, they could be worse:
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/16/nissans-diesel-maxima-may-be-manual-only/
MastrCake 2:32PM (6/17/2008)
Hey, What's the problem with the 5-banger? Sure, it's a bit rough, and it could be a little better on gas, but still, have you ever felt the torque? It's really quite strong. Torque is what VeeDub does best (at least on their newest engines). And this thing is no exception. I havn't yet been in one of the ones with 170hp, but the 150hp was more than adequate. It felt really nice.
As for the fact that the next Golf (Rabbit, if I get my way) is going to make it stateside makes me excited. I may get one, as my 98 civic is due for an upgrade.
Jared 2:51PM (6/17/2008)
"Hey, What's the problem with the 5-banger? Sure, it's a bit rough, and it could be a little better on gas, but still, have you ever felt the torque?"
Well, it's a bit rough, and it gets poor gas mileage ;)
H2oVento 3:11PM (6/17/2008)
What is eff to you. My 1.8T 4 banager
gets 28 MPG
Jared 4:21PM (6/17/2008)
It would sell a lot better if it got 35 mpg. The Golf is overweight, which reduces its mileage.
MikeW 6:29PM (6/17/2008)
They have an efficient four cylinder engine, it is the 2.0t.
Now VW needs to configure it for two dissimilar markets.
At the low end, 175hp 175ft-lbs on regular fuel, with low torque latency. So that mean no air/air intercooler, air/liquid/air like the 1.4t (twincharger-minus the supercharger)
At the GTI level, VW needs 225hp 225ft-lbs
montoym 6:49PM (6/17/2008)
@ MikeW:
I don't disagree with you completely. The GTI does need to stand apart from the base Rabbit and Jetta. With the Jetta being offered the same 2.0T as the GLI and GTI, it takes away a bit of the exclusivity.
But, the 2.0T is the more fuel efficient engine except for the TDI. It's been updated by the EPA to state 21/31 vs. the 21/29 it had previously. Compared to 21/29 for the 2.5L 5cyl. They might be able to get away with lower octane fuel with lower boost, then they could offer say a 180HP version for the Jetta and Rabbit with better economy and lower fuel cost. Then offer the GTI and GLI a 220HP version that runs on premium and still gets 30MPG. I'm fine with my 1.8T getting about 28mpg on average and I don't have the lightest foot either.
Then again, a quick call to APR, Revo or a number of other chip makers and you could have 240-250HP with better fuel economy so long as you keep your foot out of it most times. Chip only costs about $600 as well.
MikeW 11:06PM (6/17/2008)
I posted elsewhere that the 175hp 175ft-lbs calibration (on 87 gas) should have an overboost function, so that when you fill up with 89AKI (US mid-grade) and you have the DSG in the manumatic gate & you have the cruise control on, but don't have a target speed set, when you push the gas to the floor, you get 200hp & 200ft-lbs.
The same would apply to the 225hp 225ft-lbs version, when you can find 93AKI gas (in lieu of 91AKI), you can get 250hp 250ft-lbs.
Basically this would help with passing, you put the hammer down & you go!
Then there is room for a 300hp R36 top dog.
pmiddle5 2:07PM (6/17/2008)
Bleh.
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lauralemay 2:13PM (6/17/2008)
Uh. That pic is of the MkV R32.
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Allan 2:29PM (6/17/2008)
Yes... it is an R32. But if you read the last sentence, you'll understand why:
"The world should get its first official look at the Golf VI at this year's Paris Motor Show in October."
Torrent 2:16PM (6/17/2008)
That looks like the R32 to me.
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Maverick Saturn 2:16PM (6/17/2008)
These are picking up over here, seen a few people getting one.
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yacoub 2:24PM (6/17/2008)
of COURSE it's coming here. VW dealers might as well close up shop if it weren't.
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MastrCake 2:38PM (6/17/2008)
Well, they could (maybe) make do with just Jettas, but I think the new Rabbit is selling pretty hot. I saw two Rabbits and about 15 jettas remaining on the lot. I was actually quite bummed that they didn't have a black Rabbit :(
I agree with you when you say that they will ultimately fail without the Rabbit (or Golf, whichever you prefer).
John Ellenich 2:38PM (6/17/2008)
I have an 07 Rabbit and absolutely love it. I was a little upset when I saw the Gold VI wasn't coming to the US, but thankfully they were wrong.
For the price it can't be beat. And it's only depreciated about $1000 since I got it 2 years ago how's the for resale value?
I wouldn't mind seeing them bring the Polo over though. I'd buy the GTI version of that little bad boy in a heartbeat.
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akatsuki 3:31PM (6/17/2008)
Definitely looking forward to the Mark VI GTI.
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