Below we report a selection from the official press release which documents the design develoment of the new Golf, first unveiled by Volkswagen back in August.
The design team included Walter de Silva (Group), Klaus Bischoff (Brand),
Flavio Manzoni (Creative Design), Marc Lichte (Model).
The design targets for Volkswagen Design could not have been set any higher: “Our challenge is to create the iconic cars of the future.”
This memorable sentence was spoken by Italian Walter de Silva as he assumed overall design leadership at Volkswagen AG in February 2007.
The 2008 Golf is one of the first cars to receive its
final touches under the new leadership of de Silva. The team
retooled one of the most popular automotive designs in the world for
contemporary times.
The powerfully and clearly designed Golf completes the circle begun by the especially influential Golf generations I (1974 to 1983) and IV (1997 to 2003).
The unique character of the overall design and orientation of the headlamps, taillights and side profile are also a reflection of the realignment of the overall design of all Volkswagen models.
The Golf is part of a strategy that will sharpen the brand’s design in all classes. That is because all of the most successful European car brand’s design criteria were completely redefined under the orchestration of Walter de Silva.
In the process, Walter de Silva, Flavio Manzoni (Group director for
creative design) and Klaus Bischoff, (design chief for the Volkswagen brand), have not jettisoned the powerful design
details of days past.
On the contrary: “We have assembled a selection of core elements, which can be described as ‘historical DNA’.
"Successful new Volkswagen designs – such as the one now realized on the Golf – will take on this DNA to create both a familiar impression and yet new feeling in the eye of the beholder”, says Walter de Silva.
The sixth generation does not exhibit any radical break from previous models; instead it clearly remains “the Golf” from any perspective.
Stable, timeless and class-free,
reliable and with universal appeal.
“Volkswagen’s formal design language as realized on the Golf”, says Klaus Bischoff, “creates a new feeling in product design. It is easy to understand, yet very difficult to recreate.”
So far, the logic of this design has not been mimicked by any Golf class competitor, nor have they matched the car’s continual advanced development or success over more than three decades.
The layout of Golf styling follows the Volkswagen DNA rearranged by de Silva, Manzoni and Bischoff.
A key aspect here is an
extremely high level of value: “We have cast the Golf’s core components in a
precise, new mold”, explains Walter de Silva.
“The Golf is the global icon of car making. So the architecture and styling of new model must also be absolutely clear and unique.”
At the same time, the sixth Golf has a sportier and more distinctive appearance than any previous generation of the model series.
De Silva: “It is more accentuated, more three-dimensional than its predecessor; with precisely defined lines and edges, and with finely proportioned flared surfaces and recesses.”
And Klaus Bischoff, Chief Designer for the Volkswagen brand, adds: “Every detail is uncompromisingly aimed at improving value.”
Especially in a direct comparison of generations V and VI, it
becomes clear just how much the new Golf has changed. Style
details include the clarity of the front end of the first generation and
the C-pillar perfected in the fourth generation.
The roof section now rests – similar to the new Scirocco – on a prominently contoured shoulder section.
Responsible for this is a dominant curved line that – like a muscle trained down to the last fiber – extends from the headlights back to the taillights.
This side profile line – also called “character line” – also gives the Golf a fuller, lower stance on the road from a lateral perspective.
All body surfaces are more relaxed, more athletic. As mentioned, in front the new car adopts the horizontally aligned radiator grille of the first Golf generation; the grille itself is in high-gloss black.
The
lines of the bumper match those of the radiator grille. Beneath this is
a section with another air scoop.
Also presented over a black background are the chrome light housings of the dynamically styled headlamps.
The rear too is marked by a predominance of horizontal lines. The taillights – now very wide – are marked among other things by an unmistakably unique night design.
Stylistically, the crystal-clear line of turn signal and backup lamps bears a resemblance to the taillights of the Touareg.
Overall, the new Golf – in the interplay of all of its design characteristics – gives the appearance of a significantly wider, low-profile and higher end car.
 |
 |
The instrument panel of the Golf was completely redesigned into a clear, well-organized geometry.
The instruments of the Golf have a styling inspired by the Passat CC presented in early 2008.
Prominent here are the two round instruments with brushed chrome bezels in the base equipment version; the tachometer is on the left, and the speedometer on the right.
Also designed as a round instrument is the gauge for engine coolant temperature, integrated in the lower part of the tachometer. Its counterpart on the speedometer is the fuel gauge.
Gauge scale markings are backlit in white (regardless of whether the headlights are on or off); while turn signal indicators are in red.
In addition, a vent for the side windows is integrated in
each of the A-pillar trim panels.
All of the controls arranged on the center console are readily and equally accessible to driver and front passenger. Right at the top is the hazard flasher switch, optimally located between the air vents.
On the level below this is the audio or radio-navigation system. The
third level of controls interfaces to the heating and ventilation or
climate control system. Control buttons here are also designed with
brushed chrome bezels or – in the case of the rotary switch – in
brushed chrome.
Further down the center console, at the height of the parking brake
lever, is the storage compartment and an AUX-IN port
(standard with RCD 310 and higher) that can be used to connect
devices such as an MP3 player.
The door trim panels were also completely redesigned. The quality of materials and ergonomics were improved.
All Golf versions have accents in the door trim that serve as a quasi extension of the chrome door handles.
The upper and lower instrument areas are separated by accents in light silver (“Titanium silver”), glossy black (“Black – Pyramid”), or “Brushed chrome” depending on the model version.
The new Golf is offered in four different seat
configurations, depending on the equipment line.
The cabin dimensions are very similar to its spacious predecessor. In front, the maximum interior height is 1,033 millimeters (seat in lowest position); 1,447 millimeters wide in the area of the front armrests, and up to 1,452 millimeters in the rear.
The rear seating area offers a maximum interior height of 979 millimeters; leg room in the so-called extended position of the driver’s seat is 45 millimeters.
The cargo area - tranferred from the 5th generation - has a capacity ranges from 350 to 1,305 liters.
(Source: Vokswagen)
