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Monday, 22nd of March 2010

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Volkswagen Golf SE 2.0 TDI 110 road test report

SE 2.0 TDI 110

The new Golf has arrived, some 35 years after the first Mk 1 version appeared. This sixth-generation version isn’t 100% all-new – the chassis platform, suspension design and four of the six engines available at launch have been carried over from the Mk 5 – but everything else is brand spanking.

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Performance

The most popular version will be the new 2-litre, 110PS TDI which is quiet, refined and decently energetic. In common with other diesels’, its performance figures (0-62 in 10.7secs, 120mph max) are slightly misleading as there’s plenty of punchy torque on tap at low revs which makes swift, on-the-road progress a doddle. A quick mention here too for the turbocharged 1.4 TSI petrol engine which is almost as punchy, almost as frugal, ultimately slightly quicker and about a £1,000 cheaper, and the 140PS 2.0 TDI which is very torquey and can cover ground very rapidly.

Ride & Handling

As mentioned, the new Mk 6’s underpinnings are pretty similar to the Mk 5’s, and judging my recent drives in three different variants of the Mk 6, that’s no bad thing. It’s composed, steers precisely, rides well, deals admirably with bumpy B-roads and is as safe and predictable as they come. And if you do overcook it a bit on a cold, greasy surface then the latest-generation ESP soon brings everything back in to shape. Praise too for the electro-mechanical power steering which feels just right, whether at parking speeds or charging down a fast dual carriageway.

Build Quality & Reliability

In recent times neither the Golf nor VW as a brand has fared particularly well in customer satisfaction surveys, but from my brief encounter with three different Mk 6 models, it’s darned near impossible to fault. On the road it feels quiet and exceptionally refined, with not even a hint of a squeak or rattle from anywhere. Inside the soft-touch plastics and trim are of top quality and everything appears to be finished immaculately, right down to the tasteful aluminium, gloss black and chrome highlights. And, for what it’s worth, VW’s normal blue-backlit instrumentation is now white-backlit.

Safety & Security

In recent Euro NCAP crash tests the new Golf achieved the top 5-star award for occupant protection (scoring 36 points out of a max of 37). It also scored 4 and 3 stars for child and pedestrian safety respectively. Two front, two side and two side-curtain airbags all come as standard, as does a new driver’s-side knee airbag, while the latest Golf is also equipped with sensors which instantly measure crash intensity and adjust airbag inflation and seatbelt pretensioning accordingly. The new model also features active front seat head restraints, half a dozen electronic braking and dynamic safety systems, plus Isofix child seat provision, an engine immobiliser, alarm and remote central locking.

Space & Practicality

Despite a few changes to exterior dimensions – the Mk 6 is 5mm shorter, 27mm wider and 34mm lower than the Mk 5 – it’s basically business as usual. Despite being lower on the outside, interior headroom remains the same, or still ample for my 6ft+ frame in either front or rear. The extra 27mm (just over an inch) in width isn’t obvious but, according to VW, there’s now more room inside for five. As the saying goes; ‘every little helps’… Luggage space also remains the same at a decent 350-litres, extending to 1,305-litres with the rear seats folded.

Ownership & Value

In addition to the standard equipment already mentioned, my SE spec TDI also had alloy wheels, semi-auto climate control, an MP3-compatible stereo with USB/iPod connectivity, dusk and rain sensors, cruise control and more besides. Choosing which model may be best for you will depend on your budget, your annual mileage and many other factors, but the 2.0 110 TDI achieves an impressive 57.6mpg (combined) with band C (£120) VED and group 6 insurance, so it’s likely to tempt quite a few buyers. Quite a few, that is, in addition to the 25 million Golfs VW had already produced by April 2007!

Submitted: 19/01/2009 13:34:40

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