What's the news?
Volkswagen is updating its ever-popular Golf MkVII model for 2017, with some revised styling, new engines and the addition of a whole lot of technology - including the option of gesture control in the C-segment for the first time.
Exterior
Subtle tweaking of the outgoing Golf's looks are the order of the day for the facelifted MkVII, where new bumpers front and rear team up with halogen headlights with LED daytime running lights, optional full LED front lamps instead of Xenon bulbs, reshaped front wings, full LED taillights (standard across the range) and a selection of new alloy wheel designs and body colours.
On the higher-specification rear LED light clusters, the Golf MkVII will now have direction sweep indicators - a feature seen on sister brand Audi's cars - and any variant fitted with any of the radar-based systems (Adaptive Cruise Control or Front Assist) will have the vital external sensor hidden behind the 'VW' badge on the grille; on current models, the radar sensor is visible in the lower front cooling air intake. All models, including the Golf GTD, Golf GTE, Golf GTI and Golf R performance versions, as well as the estate, will benefit from the styling updates.
Interior
Little has changed visually inside the Golf MkVII, with Volkswagen's design division coming up with some new decorative trim panels for the doors, dash and centre console, as well as some new seat covers. However, the big news within comes in the form of the technology updates. Volkswagen's attractive Active Info Display - a 12.3-inch TFT digitised instrument cluster behind the steering wheel - is added to the options list for the first time in the Golf, while the top-of-the-range Discover Pro infotainment now features gesture control; Volkswagen says this is a first-in-class introduction of such tech, which allows drivers to swipe left and right in menus, change radio stations, or flip through the playlist with just a pre-determined wave of their hand.
If you're not comfortable with the thought of gesture control, then there's more good news as Volkswagen has fitted larger centre-dash touchscreens to all models, ranging from 6.5- to 9.2 inches in size. All of them are full colour displays. Other interesting gadgets include wireless smartphone charging to the Qi standard, the ability to turn the Golf into a WiFi hotspot and updated Volkswagen Car-Net connectivity (including MirrorLink, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto), among much more.
Mechanicals
This updated Golf will demonstrate new TSI petrol engines and a fresh seven-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission. The EA211 TSI engine family of turbocharged, direct-injection petrol units will see a new 1.5-litre TSI Evo, a four-cylinder engine with 150hp/250Nm and Active Cylinder Management - allowing it to run on just two cylinders as engine loads demand. Efficient as it is at 4.9 litres/100km (57.6mpg) and 110g/km CO2, the 1.5 Evo will be followed soon after launch by a more frugal Golf BlueMotion version rated at 130hp and capable of 4.6 litres/100km (61.4mpg) and 104g/km.
While there's a new seven-speed DSG dual-clutch gearbox - which will replace all six-speed DSGs used currently, in order to reduce fuel consumption - performance Golf fans should rejoice as the iconic GTI variant has seen a power increase as part of the facelift. The regular GTI climbs from 220- to 230hp, which is the same power as the pre-facelift GTI Performance Pack model. Talking of which, the Performance Pack increases from said 230hp up to a rudely healthy 245hp.
Anything else?
Adding to the Golf's long and storied history of offering lots of safety-related equipment, the 2017MY MkVII has more driver assistance systems available, such as Traffic Jam Assist, Pedestrian Monitoring (for Front Assist with City Emergency Braking), Trailer Assist and Emergency Assist.
Prices are expected to increase slightly when the new Volkswagen Golf arrives in Ireland in April 2017. It's worth noting that Volkswagen has a superb equipment offer on the outgoing Golf Highline for the '171' period before the new car arrives so don't give up on that just yet...