New VW Golf Launches in U.S.

Volkswagen AG's July introduction of the 2015 Golf in North America will mark the first major upgrade to the iconic five-door hatch in five years.

The seventh-generation model rides on VW's MQB (modular transverse matrix) platform, which bowed nearly two years ago in the Audi A3 sedan. VW Group says the chassis eventually will carry virtually all its small vehicles.

The North American version of the Golf is being produced at VW's extensively refurbished factory in Puebla, Mexico. An electric powertrain and a new Golf Sportwagen, which displaces the current Jetta-based wagon, will quickly follow. Other planned derivatives include a plug-in hybrid.

VW says the new Golf's architecture and greater use of high-strength steel makes the car about 80 lbs lighter than the previous-generation model. The roomier design is 2.1 inches longer, half an inch wider and one inch lower. The company has said it expects the MQB platform to cut its overall production costs 20%.

The 2015 model year will be the first in which all North American Golfs come equipped with turbocharged engines. A new 1.8-liter turbo replaces the previous 2.5-liter, naturally aspirated four-banger. The TSI (turbo stratified injection) engine makes the same 170 hp output but produces 13% more torque (200 lb-ft) and makes it available over a broader band of engine speed.

The downsized engine has a 16-valve layout with variable cam phasing on the intake side, thin-wall cast iron block and aluminum head. The powerplant will be mated to a 5-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission. VW says the powertrain will boost the Golf's U.S. highway fuel economy rating by 6 mpg to 37 mpg.

The American Golf also gets a new 2.0-liter diesel option with a 42-mpg highway rating. The dual-overhead-cam architecture features an unusual arrangement in which each cam operates one intake and one exhaust valve for each cylinder.

The Golf will use a multilink rear suspension for gasoline-powered models and a torsion beam for the diesels. All iterations will be equipped with a new cross-differential system that applies braking to the inside driven front wheel when it becomes unloaded in a corner.

The sportier Golf GTI will be equipped with a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that makes 210 hp. It will be joined later this year by a 220-hp variant fitted with a torque-sensing, electronically controlled limited-slip differential. Buyers will have a choice of standard 6-speed manual gearbox or 6-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic.