Golf VI: The ‘Whole’ in one

The Volkswagen Golf VI is the 2009 World Car of the Year. It beat its two closest rivals the Ford Fiesta and the Toyota iQ to win this coveted automotive award, traditionally announced at the New York International Auto Show.

Last year, the winner was Mazda 2, known locally as the Demio. The Golf V1, the sixth generation of the popular model sold by CMC, was the overall winner in an entry list of 51 cars. Fifty nine jurors from 25 countries concurred that the Golf's merit, value, safety, environment, significance and emotional appeal accorded it the least under par in the high stakes competition.

And the stakes were even higher this year -in an industry reeling from the effects of a global economic downturn, winning the WCOTY was a welcome endorsement to any car manufacturer, guaranteed more sales and enhanced brand loyalty. "We believe this is the best Golf ever," said Stefan Jacoby, President/CEO, Volkswagen of America, Inc.

The surprising this is that the Golf is yet to reach showrooms around the world. It debuted at the Paris Motorshow last November. The Golf has sold more than 26 million units in 120 countries, making it one of the top selling vehicles of all-time. VW is the world's third largest car maker after Toyota and GM. The award-winning Golf has been designed to be quieter, sportier, fuel efficient and present a clean, distinctive appearance.

Honest John, a UK car review website summarises the Golf VI thus:

Good: Very impressive detail quality, like velour lined glovebox, repeater indicator lenses in the door mirrors. Great water cooled turbo 1.4TSI.

Bad: Doesn't ride and steer as well as a Renault Megane or a Focus.

But certainly, the WCOTY jurors agreed that its pros outweighed the cons, comparative to other competitors in the top 10. They said, "The new Golf VI employs Scirocco styled grille and headlights and larger tail lights. However, it also feels more expensive than other family hatches, thanks to its solid build and high quality cabin. Customers get a choice of nothing less than six engines including the punchy and efficient 158hp (117.82kW) 1.4-litre TSI unit that features both a turbo and supercharger. The Golf is also available with the firm's new 2.0-litre common-rail diesel motor with either 108 or 138hp (80.54 or 102.91kW). It goes without saying that choosing between the slick 6-speed manual and superb DSG twin-clutch gearbox can be difficult. Sitting on an outstanding chassis, the VW is more refined than its rivals, especially when highway cruising. Wind, road and engine noise are kept to a minimum, making the Golf a relaxing long distance companion."

The Golf VI comes with a completely new design of door and window seals, a new damping film that supports the windscreen and a new engine mounting system. It's the quietest Golf yet.

The VW also offers Adaptive Chassis Control (ACC) to allow the driver to select from normal, comfort or sport modes to define the desired suspension, steering and accelerator response settings for any particular journey.

Automatic Distance Control monitors the area around the vehicle through a series of sensors and will, if necessary, reduce the vehicle's speed should an obstruction be identified. In extreme cases the vehicle can be brought to a complete stop using the system. Safety equipment includes the addition of a knee airbag for the driver to bring the total number of airbags fitted as standard to seven. A new head restraint system designed to reduce whiplash injuries and rear seat belt detection sensors are joined by new, more advanced Electronic Stabilisation Programme (ESP) software.
Previous World Car of the Year winners were the Mazda2 /Mazda Demio in 2008, the Lexus LS 460 in 2007, the BMW 3 Series in 2006 and the Audi A6 in 2005.