No DSG, new technology for compact car standard

Scheduled to arrive in the second quarter of 2021, the machine will be powered by a 1.4-liter, 110 kW turbo petrol engine mated to an eight-speed Aisin automatic.

Hard-core hand fans can choose one model – the entry-level Golf is priced at $ 29,350 plus on-road costs in the form of three pedals, or $ 31,950 plus off-road costs as a car.

This makes it much more expensive than Mazda3 or Toyota Corolla, which starts from

$ 26,590, $ 24,370 plus roadways automatically.

Mid-range Golf Life adds a higher level of standard equipment for $ 34,250 plus road costs, while the range-topping Golf R-Line offers large alloy wheels, a sporty look and additional tech for $ 37,450 on the roads.

The full specification of the model will be confirmed near its launch date.

We know the model will feature robust standard safety features, including emergency self-braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, automatic reverse braking, adaptive cruise control, traffic jam assistance, rear traffic alert and more.

The new interior design replaces many of the physical buttons with capacitive touch surfaces.

Volkswagen has ruled out a local introduction of “on-demand” subscription services from the model launch. The exterior models are ready to roll out pay-as-you-go for premium digital services, something competing brands like BMW and Tesla have tried out.

Sub-standard fuel standards in Australia and the lack of government emissions targets have pushed Volkswagen to choose not to offer its latest engines here. Instead, our Golf has the same engine as before, albeit mated to a conventional car.

This news will be welcomed by some customers, as the brand’s DSG dual clutch has a mixed history here. While it offers superior performance and economy, the DSG has been criticized for its hesitant or at times jerky behavior around town. The early examples were the source of large-scale withdrawals at home and abroad.

Michael Bartsch, managing director of Volkswagen Group Australia, said the DSG problems were “old history,” and the change to a traditional car would not affect sales.

“I don’t think it’s a big problem anymore,” he said.

“Some people will remember that we ran into problems with it and maybe went through it, but I think there is a big enough gap now that it is fairly clear that the transmissions have definitely progressed since then.

“We are in a completely different stage from Volkswagen … We have moved enough to be able to stop a lot of these concerns.”

DSG transmissions will remain in the performance cars of the Golf GTI and Golf R.

Dual-clutch cars are falling behind some brands. BMW has largely dropped it from its range in favor of the eight-speed automatic, as it offers a golf-like transmission in compact cars like the first series. The heavy-duty vehicle replaces the dual-clutch transmission in the new BMW M3 and M4, a decision that Audi has already made with the RS 4 and RS 5 performance cars.

Volkswagen expects the SUV Tiguan to overtake the Golf as Australia’s new favorite Volkswagen in 2021.

Going for sale alongside the Golf in the second quarter of next year, Tiguan offers technologies such as wireless Apple CarPlay, Android auto, LED headlights and the option of Harman Kardon stereo.

Base-level Tiguan models feature the same Golf engine, while premium variants offer 2.0-liter petrol or diesel engines with all-wheel drive and a DSG transmission.