Spy photographers have spotted a prototype of the upcoming Volkswagen Golf. The Golf is arguably the automaker’s most important model and is expected to bow in early 2009. The Golf was originally slated to debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March — with sales following in the fall of 2008 — but design changes pushed back the launch.
Little is known about the next-generation Golf, but it is believed that the new version will address some of the quality issues of the previous car. Body styles will include five and three door models, a GTI, a soft-top convertible and a wagon model. BlueMotion and Hybrid versions are expect after 2009.



11/28, 11:13 AM
posted by:
CA36GTP
A Golf convertible? Shooting for the world’s ugliest car, are they?
VW better hope the quality issues get worked out of Golf. It may be VW’s most important car, but that just highlights the critical nature of the fact that it sucks.
11/28, 11:19 AM
posted by:
RicardoHead
Lannnnngggggggweilig!
11/28, 11:22 AM
posted by:
autonut
What is the importance of this car? Perhaps the last car VW will produce? Not for this market anyway.
11/28, 11:25 AM
posted by:
A4
sign me up for a gti, im sure theyll make it as good as the mkv
11/28, 11:47 AM
posted by:
frylock350
So how is this different than Rabbit?
11/28, 11:52 AM
posted by:
HoosierHero
Looks like everyone is trying to get on the Mazda3 bandwagon these days. Too bad none of them come close to it in terms of price and quality.
11/28, 12:13 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Looking at the one view where you can see the back of the car but not the grill I thought it was a Mazda 3. VW has plenty of loyal buyers so I have no doubt they will sell… well, about the number of this model they usually sell. Will they take over the world with this? No.
11/28, 1:05 PM
posted by:
sharpie
Looks clean, but reliability is always a question with VW. I have a feeling after seeing the US-spec with the SUV size bumper, the rear end will get ugly.
11/28, 1:25 PM
posted by:
meanpants555
The Lehmann sketches make it look under-tired. The current Golf is perkier than this depressed looking thing.
11/28, 1:37 PM
posted by:
LP640
i like the current golf. why update it so quickly
11/28, 1:43 PM
posted by:
autonut
Because current Golf is already in fourth (or maybe even fifth) year everywhere but in US. They had no engine to pass CAFE. Hence a short life cycle.
11/28, 1:52 PM
posted by:
jonnycat
Those renderings are terrible. just bad.
11/28, 3:17 PM
posted by:
Sport
The GTI is on Car and Driver’s Ten Best list again this year and it’s one of Automobile Magazine “All-Stars” again for 2008. The Rabbit also won a Car and Driver comparison against the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Mazda 3, Nissan Sentra and Hyundai Elantra back in December of last year.
http://www.caranddriver.com/comparisons/11884/2007-volkswagen-rabbit.html
11/28, 3:24 PM
posted by:
Sport
“Looks like everyone is trying to get on the Mazda3 bandwagon these days. Too bad none of them come close to it in terms of price and quality.”
You’re right, Mazda finished one position above VW in the last JD Power vehicle dependability study.
11/28, 5:19 PM
posted by:
autonutt
I really doubt a Golf soft-top is in the works.. the Eos and Beetle have pretty much split the market space formerly occupied by the VW Cabrio, and with a Scirocco coupe and possible convertible waiting in the wings, why even bother?
11/29, 6:47 PM
posted by:
jackjimturkey
only FF compacts worth my attention are VWs