Fifth Golf generation debuts in Europe in the autumn of 2003
After selling over 22 million units, the Golf makes it largest evolutionary leap

The Golf, the most successful German automobile ever, with over 22 million units built so far, debuts in the autumn of 2003 in its fifth generation. The design and technology of the Golf, which is available in two and four-door models, are more confident and dynamic than ever before, and represent, therefore, the largest evolutionary step since the model series came into being. Even at first glance, the newcomer can unmistakably be recognised as the original in its class - as the Golf.

The Golf's design is distinctive like a fingerprint
Following the launch of luxury-class models Phaeton and Touareg, Volkswagen will, with the new Golf, begin the next phase of a far-reaching design campaign. Traditional volume models and new niche models will exhibit a fascinating plus in terms of dynamics and emotionality. The models Phaeton and Touareg presented in 2002 set impressive new trends in the luxury class. With the Golf, the design team now includes the most important brand model in the new design line.
Since its debut almost three decades ago, the Golf has been as distinctive as a fingerprint. One of the secrets of its worldwide success is that Volkswagen created with the Golf, as the direct successor to the Beetle, an absolutely "counterfeight-proof" original. This design has been updated and perfected, and has reflected the stylistic approach of the brand over four generations. The fifth generation Golf continues to embody this uniqueness whilst representing the largest evolutionary leap both visually and technically. The design team has created a Golf that is even more dynamic and evokes new emotions.

The arrow-shaped contour of the body front end of the new Golf in overview
Redesigned right down to the last detail, the body front end cuts through the wind in an aerodynamically optimised manner. Here again, a distinctive feature is the twin round headlights which taper strongly towards the centre with their transversal turn signals in the style of the Phaeton. The wing surfaces, which are now distinctly arched upward, rise above the headlights. As an integral part of the bonnet, the headlights together with the radiator grille create a hinted V-shaped design feature that further accentuates the dynamics of the new Volkswagen.

The powerful rear end of the new Golf in overview
The rear end is powerful, too: the dynamic shoulder section underscores the powerful appearance of the Golf. The distinctive tail lights with their twin round design unmistakably reflect the Volkswagen design. They are half-integrated in the clearly structured boot lid. Optically, the large rear window provides clear visibility, and, stylistically, it lends the vehicle an elegance typical of Volkswagen with its glass body that extends as far as the C-pillars. Sporty and aerodynamic final touches are provided by the roof spoiler which is integrated above the boot lid. Grippy: the VW badge. To unlock the boot lid, the badge is swung upward. As the recessed handle moulding is concealed, fingers stay clean at all times.

The distinctive side section of the new Golf in overview
The silhouette of the new Golf is characterised by five main elements: the distinctly rakish, wedge-shaped line below the side windows, the continuous side window graphics together with the door frame, which no longer reaches as far as the roof, the clearly modulated edges in the area of the rear doors and C-pillar, the characteristic angled C-pillar and the elongated roof section.
The C-pillar is worthy of special attention. As the traditional stylistic feature of the Golf, the C-pillar has increasingly characterised the model series and contributes significantly to the dynamics of the new Golf generation. From any viewing angle, the C-pillar resembles the string of a drawn bow. It imparts strength to the Golf body. The side faces look like an arrow being accelerated forward by the string of the bow. The high aestheticism of the C-pillar embedded between the rear door and the rear is perfected by very narrow shut lines.
The design features collectively evoke emotions which give the new Golf a more agile and dynamic appearance than any generation before it.

Equipment / technology

Extensive comfort and safety features as standard
New chassis, innovative engines, the highest-quality body in the segment
On its market debut, the volume model will be available in two and four-door versions and in the equipment lines Trendline, Comfortline and Sportline. All equipment lines have in common the same comprehensive comfort and safety package including six airbags, five head restraints (front active) complete with three-point belts, a newly developed safety steering column and foot controls that retracts during a crash. New: the accelerator pedal is arranged in an upright position for ergonomic reasons.

Perfection is characterised by attention to detail. The instruments, for example, are ergonomically designed and easy to operate, all function levels are clearly separate from one another and all buttons and switches can be intuitively operated. In comparison to the predecessor model, every detail has been improved. For example the centre console at the centre of the instrument panel: the controls of the audio/navigation and ventilation/air conditioning are now on a higher level, so they are better placed within the driver's field of vision and ensure optimal ease of access. The controls of the ventilation and air conditioning system are located directly above the centre tunnel, which has been distinctly raised in the area of the selector mechanism. Above this is a button pad for functions such as the heated rear window, recirculating air mode and seat heating. The new audio systems and navigation systems with large central display, as presented for the first time for the Touareg and Touran, have been integrated above them. Located at the very top are the hazard warning light switch, the air outlet and an additional storage shelf / tray.

Highly innovative technology is often concealed behind the individual functional elements. In the case of the optional Climatronic, for example, the Automatic air conditioner changes over to recirculation mode when reversing (separately adjustable for driver and front passenger). When the windscreen washer system is operated, an intelligent control suspends the fresh air supply momentarily. The seat system, for example, has been completely redesigned to provide maximum comfort. As the first vehicle in its segment, the Golf is optionally available with an electrical 4-way lumbar support (integrated in the electric seat) or an auxiliary heater. In addition to the standard 60:40 folding rear seat back, the front passenger seat backrest can be optionally folded forward to create a long, continuous load surface.

The body of the new Golf - The new benchmark in the A segment
The body itself is wider (1,759 mm / + 24 mm), higher (1,483 mm / + 39 mm) and longer (4,204 mm / + 55 mm) and offers considerably more space (+ 54 mm cabin length), particularly in the rear compartment (+ 55 mm legroom / + 24 mm headroom at the rear and + 8 mm at the front) and luggage space (350litres / + 20 litres). This clear plus closes the gap to the next higher class and reinforces the Golf's claim to be classless. The same applies to the unique quality level in the segment: the dynamic rigidity of the body has been increased by 15% in torsion and 35% in flexion. The static torsional rigidity of the body has been improved by no less than 80 percent (!), which is the best value in the segment.
The high rigidity was not achieved by adding body weight, rather through systematic lightweight construction. Particularly effective lightweight construction measures worth emphasising are the improved join techniques involving laser welding and the optimised layout of the member structure. This has improved the acoustic characteristics of the body fundamentally. In other words, the new Golf is not only highly stable and safe, but also very quiet.

A worldwide innovation in volume production vehicle:
the modular doors on the new Golf
The new door modules on the Golf represent a worldwide innovation in body construction. Until now, the complete doors on all volume models had to be replaced if "irreparable" panel damage occurred in this area. The whole door had to be replaced even if its inner structure was still intact. This was a correspondingly laborious and, for the customer, costly process. Not so with the new Golf: for the first time in a volume production vehicle, the outer skin panel can be replaced separately, thus reducing the cost of damage repairs considerably. From a structural viewpoint, the door inner panel, which comprises two so-called hybrid bars, serves as a load-bearing structure. The outer skin panel is bonded onto these bars. In addition, the inner and outer panels in the sill and topshoulder areas (at window edge level) are bolted together. The outer skin panel can thus be easily detached in order to remove dents of any kind completely.

The safety chassis of the new Golf - Extremely dynamic, safe and comfortable
Volkswagen has configured the new, dynamic safety chassis so it is just as sporty as comfortable. A much-improved suspension-strut-type axle provides perfect wheel location at the front and a newly developed multilink axle is used at the rear. Thanks to the multilink axle (four-link suspension), handling and driving comfort have been decisively improved. Active safety also benefits from the new axle configuration. As inclined dampers with oval auxiliary springs are also used in the new Golf, the through-loading width in the luggage compartment has been enlarged. The optimised front axle provides better handling dynamics in corners through a reduction in lateral inclination and the improved response of the anti-roll bars. In addition to that, the more precise wheel location and optimised suspension response contribute to a significant improvement in overall comfort.
Handling and comfort have been optimised by a likewise entirely new electromechanical steering system which not only offers power assistance as a function of road speed, but also contributes significantly to straight-line stability. The fuel consumption of the Golf has also been reduced by approximately 0.2 litres through the new steering.
The Golf is equipped as standard with the latest generation of ESP and Dual Brake Assist. A, likewise newly designed, brake system with optimised cooling provides the basis for excellent deceleration values. All in all, the Golf chassis offers a unique synthesis of driving comfort across all classes while at the same time achieving the best steering and handling performance.

The engines of the new Golf - Innovation through petrol and diesel direct injection
The drive train area is also characterised by technological leadership. Here, the magic formula is direct injection. For example the TDI: the 2.0 TDI with a power output of 103 kW / 140 bhp and a maximum torque of 320 Newtonmetres is the trendsetter in terms of agility, comfort and thriftiness. The torquey 4-valve four-cylinder engine is handled by a new six-speed gearbox or by an optional six-speed direct shift gearbox - available at a later date - which is used for the first time in the Golf R32 DSG.

The direct shift gearbox has been specially adapted in respect of its design to the sporty and consumption-oriented requirements of European customers. As a key distinguishing feature of the DSG as compared to classical automatic transmissions, a torque converter is not used as a starting element in the DSG. For the first time, the DSG strikes a perfect balance between the agility of a manual gearbox and the comfort of a conventional automatic.
The 1.9 TDI with 77 kW / 105 bhp and a maximum torque of 250 Newtonmetres is deployed as a second turbodiesel in addition to the 140 bhp version. Another new feature is the deployment of the diesel quick-start system as in the 2.0 TDI. Under all climatic conditions, this practically ensures an immediate start without a long glow phase.

The first available petrol direct injection engine of the fifth Golf generation no less innovative: the 1.6 FSI with 85 kW / 115 bhp has already proved its worth in the Touran and, like in the Touran, comes as standard combined with a six-speed gearbox. The driver can leave the task of gear-shifting to a comfortable and efficient six-speed automatic gearbox which is optionally available. The shift programs adapt automatically to driving conditions (e.g. driving uphill or towing a trailer). Alternatively, gears can be selected manually by means of a Tiptronic function (+/-). The extremely sporty shift program "S" provides even more agility.

The second petrol engine to be deployed in the introductory phase is the improved 1.4-litre four-valve engine with 55 kW / 75 bhp. Technical improvements in the new Golf are the low weight and friction pistons, the structurally optimised crankshaft and the likewise optimised exhaust manifold and pre-catalyst converter concept. These measures have made it possible to reduce the weight of the engine by two kilograms and further improve specific fuel consumption.
All engines of the Golf meet the EU 4 standard. Additional four engines will be available shortly after market launch: two FSI engines (1.4 FSI with 66 kW / 90 bhp and 2.0 FSI with 110 kW / 150 bhp), a 1.6-litre engine with 75 kW / 102 bhp and an SDI (2.0-litre engine with 55 kW / 75 bhp) with a unit injection system. The sporty top-of-the-range engines will be introduced in a third phase.