2013 Mk7 Volkswagen Golf Pricing & Specs

The all-new Mk7 Volkswagen Golf has officially launched in Australia (read our review here), with the entry price reduced by $500 compared to the superceded model. The entry level Golf is now priced from $21,490, plus on roads.

It also comes with a more powerful engine, a 90kW 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder that replaces the 77kW 1.2-litre turbo.

It is one of a trio of new engines found under the bonnet of the new Golf. The previous 118kW TSI is now replaced with a slightly less powerful 103kW 1.4-litre turbocharged unit (however, torque remains unchanged at 250Nm), while the 2.0-litre turbo-diesel now puts out 110kW, up from 103kW. Torque remains unchanged at 320Nm.

All engines come standard with stop-start technology and improves fuel consumption by between eight (diesel) and 16 per cent, with the turbo diesel, which costs from $34,490, breaking the 5.0 litres per 100km mark with an official combined figure of 4.9L/100km.

Volkswagen claims the Golf’s new petrol engines set the benchmark for fuel efficiency in the small car segment.

The Golf 90TSI returns 5.7L/100km when mated to a 6-speed manual, and 5.4L/100km when paired with the $2,500 optional 6-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic.

Surprisingly, the 103TSI is an auto only proposition, and returns 5.2L/100km. It is also the fastest Golf in the standard range, doing the 0-100km/h sprint in a claim 8.4 seconds, while the 90TSI accomplishes the same feat in 9.3 seconds (manual and auto). Meanwhile, the 110TDI, also available in 6-speed auto only, is smack right bang in the middle, requiring 8.6 seconds for the century sprint.

Volkswagen Australia has simplified the Golf 7 lineup with just one trim level – Highline, for the 103TSI and 110TDI, while the 90TSI is available in base spec and a $3,500 Comfortline. The latter brings brings 16-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, front and rear parking sensors, rain-sensing wipers, and a rear-view camera.

Standard feature on the base Volkswagen Golf 90TSI include seven airbags, 15-inch steel wheels, auto hold function, electric handbrake, cruise control, Bluetooth, trip computer, and 5.8-inch colour touchscreen.

Highline extras include 17-inch alloys, satellite navigation and sports seats.

Volkswagen has further streamlined the options available for each model. The only options for the 90TSI are automatic gearbox and metallic paint, while Comfortline option is limited to Sat-nav at $950 and a Driver Assistance Package that costs just $1300 and includes an array of driver aids such as adaptive cruise control, front assist with emergency brake, proactive occupant protection system, parallel parking assist, and driving profile selector, the latter allowing drivers to select between Eco, Sport, Normal and Individual modes.

Meanwhile, Highline buyers can opt for a panoramic sunroof for $1850, bi-xenon headlights for $2150, Vienna leather upholstery for $2950 and the same Driver Assistance Package for $1300.

Metallic paint costs $500 on all models.

As we all know by now, the Mk7 Volkswagen Golf is built on Volkswagen Group’s flexible MQB platform. It measures 56mm longer than the outgoing Golf, but 28mm lower and 13mm narrower. However, its wheelbase has grown by 59mm to 2,637mm and importantly, boot space is now 30 litres bigger at 380 litres.

Crucially, the Golf 7 is also lighter than its predecessor. Volkswagen claims the hatch’s body-in-white is 23kg lighter.

Thankfully, Volkswagen has eschewed the cheaper torsion beam rear suspension available in overseas market on entry level Golfs, for the more sophisticated multi-link set up.