The Mk7

[RedRobin]

The interior dashboard looks too upmarket for a Golf.

Haven't you seen how much they cost these days?

....Sure, ALL of the latest car versions cost more than they used to - It's all relative. It doesn't make the Golf an upmarket car. Well designed and built, yes. But the Golf is not a brand with high status.

Anyway, it has some good new features (although quite a few I would want to switch off) and it offers more luxury to those who want that sort of thing.

Being lighter weight is promising, and being lower and wider, but also note that it's longer and with a longer wheelbase and so overall an even bigger car.

I don't like like the rear styling and am not excited by the front but it's the Mk7 GTI and R which is of much more interest. I think, subject to seeing one, that I like it more than the Mk6 (the exception being the Mk6 Golf R).

[Tortaruga]

Far too much silver trim bits for my liking though.

It's true that brushed aluminium (or plastic effect) is a current trend. However I think in the photos it looks well considered, i.e. it's used sparingly to accentuate the interior. Some cars have great swathes of the stuff plastered around the dash and it does look vile. I think VW & Audi do restraint quite well.

As a designer I know it can be difficult not to do too much, whilst also avoiding blandness. It's a common theme with artists who commonly say a work looks best half an hour before it's finished.

[RedRobin]

Far too much silver trim bits for my liking though.

It's true that brushed aluminium (or plastic effect) is a current trend. However I think in the photos it looks well considered, i.e. it's used sparingly to accentuate the interior. Some cars have great swathes of the stuff plastered around the dash and it does look vile. I think VW & Audi do restraint quite well.

As a designer I know it can be difficult not to do too much, whilst also avoiding blandness. It's a common theme with artists who commonly say a work looks best half an hour before it's finished.

....I agree. But I'm a designer too (retired) and so I would be likely to agree.

All I'm saying is that this current trend is not to my taste and I personally prefer a car interior which is more funky and less fashion. I like Porsche dashboards best.

I think that VW have designed a version of the Golf with the Mk7 which most people will love - More so than the Mk6 basic Golf.

[MC71]

Oh herrow!!!

If the GTI looks close to this pic' with that interior (plus the usual GTI bling) I'm sold. 

[RedRobin]

Oh herrow!!!

If the GTI looks close to this pic' with that interior (plus the usual GTI bling) I'm sold. 

....I agree - That looks far more exciting and especially in red. (Black roof noted  )

[MC71]

How much for a poverty spec GTI when it appears, £30k?

[RedRobin]

How much for a poverty spec GTI when it appears, £30k?

....Totally guessing but I reckon ~£27k. Which is ~£25k of yesterday's money and so VW will market it as being the same price level.

They are certainly offering much more basic spec for the money but I don't want assist this and assist that, ACC etc. I don't even want Cruise Control or heated seats. But that's just me.

[the bruce]

http://www.carclips.net/hdvideo/2348/Brandaktuell-VW-praesentiert-Golf-VII-in-Berlin

[Mr Savage]

Can't say i'm completely blown away by the pictures yet, the interior is very nice yes but the exterior? The back end could definitely use some work and yes the lights definitely aren't very VW. The front isn't bad, decent angles but not really a huge leap forward from the mark 6. Good that more equipment will be offered for your money though! I'm sure it'll grow on me over time and i'm sure the GTI version will look awesome to be fair! Hope it has the usual fantastic front grill atleast!

Didn't I read somewhere that the mark 7's are 30% cheaper to produce than the previous model? Something to do with that new lightweight material they're using on the roof and bonnet and also why it's so light! Guess they won't pass those savings on to the customer though!

Excited to see the GTI! 

[RedRobin]

http://www.carclips.net/hdvideo/2348/Brandaktuell-VW-praesentiert-Golf-VII-in-Berlin

....That vid shows that the lines are much more angular and not as soft as the Mk5/6. You can particularly see it in the windscreen shape.

Unfortunately I like it less because of that.

It does indeed have quarter-lights. They have punched out the previously solid triangles where the wing mirrors were mounted. A clever way of probably increasing visibility.

[andrewparker]

The interior dashboard looks too upmarket for a Golf.

Haven't you seen how much they cost these days?

....Sure, ALL of the latest car versions cost more than they used to - It's all relative. It doesn't make the Golf an upmarket car. Well designed and built, yes. But the Golf is not a brand with high status.

It's most certainly mid-market, and I think GTI and R models are percieved as being upmarket. I do think it has a high status, and that's not because I own one.

Plus, remember what we're seeing are the top spec interiors. Those on entry level cars are bound to look more functional. All-in-all they have no option but to move with the times.

[tony_danza]

We're being shown the upmarket interiors (and going on current pricing, hugely costly options), go look at an S with cloth and you'll soon realise how mid-market it is again.

[Deako]

That car you are all lusting for in red is a Polo GTI!!   

[tony_danza]

Ha ha!!

Shows how similar they've all got, we can't tell them all apart.

[Deako]

Ha ha!!

Shows how similar they've all got, we can't tell them all apart.

Mildly tweaked in Photoshop of course, but it's a Polo.