After four years, the seventh generation 2017 Volkswagen Golf received a face-lift. Renewed and refreshed will attract the customers for the next two years, when the arrival of the eighth generation is announced.

Volkswagen sold over 32 million Golf models

In 2012, Volkswagen Golf drove into the seventh generation. In the meantime, the sales figures are impressive. More than 3.2 million instances of the seventh generation were sold worldwide. In many countries Volkswagen Golf received the title Car of the Year, it became the European car of the year, the World Car of the Year and North American Car of the Year.

Golf is the best selling Volkswagen of all time. From its birth back in 1974, over 32 million cars were sold. Why is it so successful? “Since this is the car for each and every situation,” says Herbert Diess,  the head of the Volkswagen brand, who admitted that even he drives a Golf.

2017 Volkswagen Golf exterior: LED lights, differences in the details

2017 Volkswagen Golf received headlights in LED technology, until now reserved only for electric and hybrid version. Just like the recent Leon facelift. Some other exterior changes include the front mask, front and rear bumpers. Some freshness is added into the range of the rims. And as seen in photos, it looks like a new yellow color comes to the color palette.

2017 Volkswagen Golf interior: connectivity and digitalisation

The cockpit in face-lifted 2017 Volkswagen Golf is now fully digitized. The Discover Pro infotainment system is completely renewed. From behind the steering wheel in the interior stands out 12.5-inch digital dashboard, where the driver can adjust the displayed elements. The management of the infotainment system is possible with hand gestures.

The central screen in the center console will be 9.2-inch large Active Info Display, in 16:9 ratio. 2017 Volkswagen Golf provides continuous connection to the Internet, through which you can monitor current developments in traffic, with Google Maps and Google Street View included.

2017 Volkswagen Golf without safety assistant systems? Are you kidding?

The title is, of course, a joke. Who other than the 2017 Volkswagen Golf is the one who set benchmarks in its class, usually followed by the competition. After all, the entire market segment is named Golf class, isn’t it? Besides that, it is great to have bigger brothers like Passat or Tiguan, who can give you a useful tip or two.

Partially automated driving for the first time in its class

And this time is no different. 2017 Volkswagen Golf will be the first in its class that will offer partially automated driving functions. The assistants such as the Traffic Jam Assist, Emergency Assist, lane departure warning system and the adaptive cruise control ACC can join their electrictronic brains and sensors and automatically operate the vehicle in “stop-and-go” traffic up to a speed of 60 km/h. The new 2017 Volkswagen Golf can steer, accelerate and brake by itself in stressful urban traffic jams.

Pedestrian recognition for half less injuries

The anticipation of critical situations in cases of pedestrians or other obstacles on the road is now enhanced using the front camera. Experts estimate that by using these smart solutions, the number of this type of accidents will be halved.

Remember the trailer assist?

And yes, trailer assist becomes an option in Golf, too. Did you hear that, Kodiaq?

New Golf, new engine: 1.5 TSI

Probably the largest and most strongly stressed novelty is a 1.5-liter petrol four-cylinder turbocharged engine TSI (150 hp, 250 Nm of torque) with variable Active Cylinder Management (ACT).

Another option that follows is a 130 hp BlueMotion with the same capacity. This engine will have a serial coasting function, which temporarily completely shuts the engine down while driving in case the driver removes the foot from the gas pedal. While coasting, a special battery will take care of the operation of electronic systems. Volkswagen promises a liter per hundred kilometers lower fuel consumption with this new engine.

Other 2017 Volkswagen Golf engines also improved

The novelty in the engine range is also a 1.0 TSI with three cylinders, meant as a replacement for the current 1.2 TSI entry model version. A 1.4-liter and 2-liter TSI petrol engine remains in the 2017 Volkswagen Golf range.

Golf GTI with 10 to 15 hp more

The sports version 2017 Volkswagen Golf GTI will receive a small boost in performance, with 230 hp (currently 220 hp) or 245 hp (currently 230 hp) in the Golf GTI Performance version.

As far as diesel engines, 1.6-liter and 2-liter TDI engines. Volkswagen still claims that their diesel engines are cleaner than most competitor diesel engines and refers to the results of independent research.

The new seven-speed automatic DSG transmission will gradually replace the six-speed one.

2017 Volkswagen Golf release date and price

Despite all the improvements, the base price for the face-lifted Golf will remain unchanged compared to the current model.

Advance sales of the new 2017 Volkswagen Golf will start as early as December this year. The release to retail customers is scheduled for early 2017.

Volkswagen Golf Evolution (1974 – 2016)

Image credit: Volkswagen