Electrified efficiency. The engine programme of the new Golf features petrol, diesel, natural gas (CNG), mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid drives. All petrol and diesel engines are turbocharged direct injection units. Following the launch of all engines, their output levels will range between 66 kW/90 PS and more than 221 kW/300 PS. For the first time, eight drive system versions will be available for the Golf. A new, efficient 6-speed manual gearbox has also been developed for front-wheel drive models; this has further cut CO2 emissions. All engines in the new Golf comply with the Euro 6d emissions standard.
Petrol engine (TSI). The TSI engines equipped with petrol particulate filter generate 66 kW/90 PS, 81 kW/110 PS, 96 kW/130 PS and 110 kW/150 PS. The versions generating 90 PS and 110 PS are 1.0-litre three-cylinder engines that are used in the Golf for the first time. The TSI engines with 130 PS and 150 PS are 1.5-litre engines with a special feature: temporary Active Cylinder Management (ACT). All engines with an output up to 130 PS feature the efficient TSI Miller combustion process and a turbocharger with variable turbocharger geometry (VTG). TSI engines have been paired with a manual gearbox as standard. From an output of 110 PS, they will also be configurable as mild hybrid drives (eTSI) with 48 V system and dual clutch gearbox (DSG). As always, three 2.0-litre TSI engines for the Golf GTI, Golf GTI TCR and Golf R, two plug-in models, as well as a 1.5-litre TGI suitable for operation with natural gas (CNG) and petrol will be launched at a later date.
Mild hybrid (eTSI). The three eTSI mild hybrid drives of the Golf are world premieres. These are petrol engines that are coupled to a 48 V system plus 7-speed dual clutch gearbox (DSG). A 48 V belt starter generator, a 48 V lithium-ion battery and the latest generation of pioneering, efficient TSI engines mean perfect performance while significantly cutting fuel consumption. The mild hybrid drives will be available with 81 kW/110 PS, 96 kW/130 PS and 110 kW/150 PS. All eTSI models feature a powerful brake energy recuperation function. The 48 V system also makes it possible to coast while the combustion engine has been completely switched off to save even more fuel. Restarting the engine is significantly more convenient thanks to the 48 V system. eTSI models additionally offer extraordinarily good moving-off performance thanks to electric boosts.
- 48 V mild hybrid drive in detail: the 48 V system will be used in vehicles in addition to the 12 V system. With its relatively small cable diameters and therefore low weight of the wiring harness, it enables the transmission of high electrical power. That leads to recuperation of significantly more energy during braking. The energy stored in the 48 V lithium-ion battery supplies the 12 V vehicle electrical system and drives the 48 V belt starter generator. This belt starter generator takes on the role of the alternator and starter while simultaneously operating as a small, lightweight electric motor that instantly boosts the drive torque when moving off. The output of the generator is transferred by the belt drive. The generator also starts the combustion engine – which is switched off as much as possible while the vehicle is moving – in a barely perceptible way.
Plug-in hybrid. The plug-in hybrid range will be split into a version geared towards maximum range, generating 150 kW/204 PS, and a GTE version designed towards performance, generating 180 kW/245 PS (system output in each case). The plug-in hybrid drive consists of elements including a 1.4-litre TSI engine, the electric drive motor and 6-speed DSG as well as a lithium-ion battery. The new battery is characterised by 50 percent more energy capacity (13 kWh) and thus an improved electric range, meaning that almost all daily journeys within an urban environment can consequently be covered without generating any local emissions.
Diesel (TDI). Volkswagen has developed the two diesel direct-injection engines for the eighth Golf generation from scratch. The 2.0-litre TDI engines generate 85 kW/115 PS and 110 kW/150 PS. Both TDI engines will be available to order with manual gearbox and DSG. The engines’ efficiency has been significantly optimised, thus cutting CO2 emissions while simultaneously improving responsiveness. A new twin dosing SCR system featuring dual AdBlue injection additionally cuts nitrogen oxide emissions by up to 80 percent in comparison to the predecessor. In the latest evolution stage of this SCR catalytic converter system, AdBlue is injected upstream of two SCR catalytic converters arranged in series as part of a targeted process. Consequently, the new TDI engines are amongst the world’s cleanest combustion engines. Both TDIs will be available to order at the launch. Like the petrol engine GTI, the Performance TDI of the new Golf GTD will be ready to launch some time next year.
Drive versions offered on launch in detail
1.5 TSI with 96 kW and manual gearbox. Achieving 130 PS at speeds between 5,000 and 6,000 rpm, the Golf’s TSI is a powerful and high-tech petrol engine. Thanks to ACT Active Cylinder Management, two of the four cylinders can be almost imperceptibly switched off as often as possible, minimising both consumption and emissions. A turbocharger with variable turbine geometry (VTG) sits alongside to provide exceptionally efficient dynamics in every engine speed range. The maximum torque of 200 Nm is available between 1,400 and 4,000 rpm. With its 6-speed manual gearbox (MQ200), the Golf 1.5 TSI can accelerate to 100 km/h in 9.2 seconds and reach speeds of up to 214 km/h.
1.5 TSI with 110 kW and manual gearbox. Offering 150 PS, the TSI in the new Golf is also equipped with ACT Active Cylinder Management and a 6-speed manual gearbox (MQ200). This petrol engine also delivers its maximum output between 5,000 and 6,000 rpm; the maximum torque of 250 Nm is produced within an engine speed range of 1,500–3,500 rpm. With this engine, the Golf reaches a top speed of 224 km/h, and goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.5 seconds.
1.5 eTSI with 110 kW and DSG. The 1.5 eTSI with 150 PS can also be combined with a 7-speed DSG (DQ200) as standard. It has the same output figures (110 kW between 5,000 and 6,000 rpm) as a TSI with the same power but without 48 V technology and DSG. The also identical maximum torque of 250 Nm is available within a range from 1,500 to 3,500 rpm. The Golf 1.5 eTSI accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.5 seconds and has a top speed of 224 km/h.
2.0 TDI with 85 kW. With 115 PS of power, the TDI is one of the most sustainable engines of its class worldwide thanks to twin dosing. This sustainability is paired with superior driving performance: the Golf 2.0 TDI with 6-speed manual gearbox has a maximum speed of 202 km/h at this output level. Going from 0 to 100 km/h takes 10.2 seconds for the Golf 2.0 TDI. The comfortable yet dynamic handling of this Golf is also made possible by the TDI’s high maximum torque of 300 Nm (at 1,750–3,200 rpm). The four-cylinder engine generates its maximum output between 3,250 and 4,000 rpm.
2.0 TDI with 110 kW and DSG. The currently most powerful Golf TDI engine delivers 110 kW/150 PS between 3,500–4,000 rpm. This output level is linked to a 7-speed DSG. The impressive maximum torque of 360 Nm is achieved within the engine speed range of 1,750 and 3,000 rpm. As in the 115 PS version TDI, the 150 PS version is also equipped with the dual AdBlue injection system (twin dosing). Able to hit speeds of 223 km/h, the Golf 2.0 TSI DSG can also accelerate to 100 km/h in just 8.8 seconds.