While American car companies continue to strap V8 engines and body-on frame SUVs to hybrid powertrains in order to achieve better fuel economy, the European automakers continue to do things the old fashioned way — improve fuel economy through diesels and smaller displacement gasoline engines. Volkswagen already does the former in its Golf hatchback and the latter will arrive in the next-generation car.
According to Automotive News, the next-generation VW Golf will offer either a 1.0L or 1.2L base gasoline engine. The displacement is still up in the air as VW brass hasn’t decided whether to go ahead with a three or four-cylinder powerplant. Either way, the new engine should produce about 75 horsepower.
But while the Golf’s powerplant might be shrinking, its option list will be expanding. The next Golf will borrow VW’s vehicle-interval control from the Phaeton and Touareg and will also use the same parking assist system found in the Tiguan.



06/03, 11:26 AM
posted by:
xyunya
Polo and Golf have been engine “compatible” for a long time. So now WV gonna drop smallest Polo engine into Golf bay.
06/03, 11:26 AM
posted by:
A4
i doubt we will get it though, just like we dont have a TDI anymore.
06/03, 11:27 AM
posted by:
A4
and hopefully the weight will shrink with the size of the engine!
06/03, 11:27 AM
posted by:
DeansterTJ
Wow, back down to 75 hp?
We had a 1988 Audi 80 (the precursor to the A4) that was 1.6L, 75 hp, and it was acceptable for the time but not these days. If I remember correctly, it was around 3300 lbs and did 0-60 in 11 seconds with no passengers on board.
I think 1.0L 3-cyl is pushing it. That’s not really necessary to conserve gas.
06/03, 11:41 AM
posted by:
shaver
GM is working with Brigss & Stratton for the next Aveo motor.
06/03, 11:47 AM
posted by:
A4
if they can get the weight of the car to 2500 lbs or less than it may be acceptable. Other than that and i cant see it being more than a slow brick.
06/03, 12:16 PM
posted by:
Stinky007
“Smart” move, smaller less powerful engine, more extras (i.e. weight). Wee, we’re getting back in time to the era when 0-60 took 15+ seconds!
06/03, 12:16 PM
posted by:
xyunya
DeansterTJ, Audi 80 was well below 3000 lbs (between 2500 & 2800)
06/03, 12:27 PM
posted by:
cookie4me
In the USA, all recent models have been rolled out with MORE horsepower and GREATER efficiency. Imagine, if they had the forsight to actually REDUCE horsepower and double up on the efficiency. Anyone have stats on the after market chips that people buy to change the engine output? I wonder if there is a move from “upping” horsepower to “reducing” horsepower to get the most MPG out of the car.
06/03, 12:36 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Small displacement is fine with a manual transmissions, which I’m guessing 80% of North Americans wouldn’t know what to do with if it jumped up and bit them where they leak. I suppose you could increase the number of cogs or go DSG but then the price goes up.
06/03, 12:44 PM
posted by:
TomF
Hmm… in 1983 I bought a Nissan Pulsar with a 1.4L or 1.6L engine (can’t remember which) that made about 70hp. With a 5-speed transmission it was perfectly driveable. When gas tops $6 a lot more Americans are going to learn to like stirring their own gears.
06/03, 12:51 PM
posted by:
xyunya
I recall 1987 Civic with 76 HP and 1.5L engine. Torque could not be found and measured. But most of them were sold with slush boxes, even little wagons. I also recall it being less then 2500 lbs (with manual).
Unfortunately, I hope that CVT or DSG will get popular quickly, because observing my own family Americans are not learning how to change gears on their own. My own children are example: I drive only manual but they inherited their moms attitude toward motoring (and thanks God they inherited her looks).
06/03, 12:57 PM
posted by:
howsmydriving
VWs are already underpowered, this is news? The gas prices are just a pretext that VW is using for reducing hp.
06/03, 2:23 PM
posted by:
HemiRoadRunner
75 HP, naaaah I’d rather Flinstone it to work.
06/03, 4:23 PM
posted by:
GermanCarDriver
People, in the States it might be that at 4 $ people are still able to afford cars with more than just 75hp.
But in Europe u’re paying 1,55€ for 1 liter of gas. Thats just 9$ a gallone.
It ain’t a question of fun. people can’t afford any more than just this small siced engine cars.
people buying porsche don’t care about this. And they don’t have trouble with driving 530 hp on the highway.
06/03, 5:45 PM
posted by:
NoNameDenton1
Not suprising with all the Green legislation being passed that will hurt car makers, like Europe limiting how much CO2 is produced by a car and so forth.
06/03, 7:36 PM
posted by:
DialM4Speed
Let the days of “soul-less” driving begin! Ahhh…. **** it! I’ll just go get a horse and buggy!
06/03, 9:03 PM
posted by:
NoNameDenton1
Can always hope that a twincharger engine goes in there.
06/04, 8:41 AM
posted by:
jsabbagh
I would love to see the return of more manual transmissions. I love manual transmissions and wish they were more readily available. I went to the VW dealer by me and wanted to test drive an EOS with a Manual. The dealer told me they have had one on the lot? You want leather interior in a VW, you are forced to buy an automatic. I love the new Jetta Wolfsberg with the 200HP motor but guess what, my only choice of interior is leatherette. I am hoping that the Scirocco comes to our shores and is available with manual
06/04, 10:54 AM
posted by:
441Zuke
70 hp what a 16,000 dollar piece of $hit, i rather drive a 10 speed huffy. Fcuk that car.