Volkswagen has revealed the seventh-generation Golf, continuing a model run which stretches back 38 years and has already clocked up more than 29 million sales.
Built around new vehicle architecture and new engines, it is between 40 and 100 kilos lighter than the Golf 6, despite being larger, and is up to 23 per cent more fuel efficient. The average fuel saving across the range is 14 per cent.
The diesel Golf Bluemotion will be capable of more than 88mpg and three models in the range will be able to manage around 75mpg or more. Carbon dioxide emissions will be as low as 85g/km - a new low for a current non-hybrid car.
Volkswagen CEO Dr Martin Winterkorn described the new car as "the greenest Golf yet" - but that did not stop Greenpeace demonstrating outside Berlin's New National Gallery where the car was unveiled, continuing a year-long protest against what it sees as VW's extravagant environmental claims. VW employees staged a counter-demonstration in support of the car.
The new Golf will be shown publicly for the first time at the Paris Motor Show at the end of this month. It goes on sale in Germany, the strongest market for the car, in October and in the UK, the third-best sales area, at the start of 2013.
"The Golf is a global phenomenon and whoever revises such a car assumes a great deal of responsibility," said Winterkorn. "The Golf is and will be the most important model for VW and the new one is a clear and unmistakeable symbol of environmental motoring."
It is built around the VW group's new modular transverse assembly system, first used for the new Audi A3. Unlike the Audi, which is currently only a three-door car, VW will launch with three- and five-door models, both with the same wheelbase.
The weight savings have come from the body (23 kilos), trim and seats (14 kilos), engines and drivetrain (up to 40 kilos), chassis (a maximum of 26 kilos) and even the electrical systems (6 kilos).
The biggest weight-savings are with the 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine. One version of this shuts down two of the four cylinders when cruising to save fuel. There are also two turbodiesels at launch.
VW is claiming more passenger and luggage space, higher quality, improved infotainment systems and upgraded safety, with no increase in the base price in Germany.
The new Golf will be able to avoid low-speed nose-to-tail accidents, maintain a set speed and distance to the car ahead, prevent the driver changing lanes into the path of an overtaking car and warn tired drivers to take a break.
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