2013 VW Golf ?
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These illustrations show what the next generation Golf might look like.
The second one shows us a possible CC, or coupe version. Similar to what they did with the Passat CC.
It might seem weird on a compact. But it did work with the Passat, so why not.
One thing is sure, the next Golf won’t be much of a surprise. Just like all generations that came before.
VW will do anything to please their current customers. Which has been a winning formula for them.
It has been the best selling car in Europe for years.
They both look nice.. A surprise touch to the sedan.. if VM improves reliability miles ahead of where they are.. then maybe I'd consider this.
Pure speculation. Though VW seems to be throwing anything at the wall in the US to see what will stick. Too bad they have no understanding of what this market requires. Case in Point: New CC has a motorized flip up rear medallion that houses the rear view camera. In the US, we have ice and snow. The first winters ice will seize that up and overheat the motor, and the cam will fail. Instead of just designing one that looks through the glass from under the spoiler. Another great marketing tool – cars the break real easy. FAIL
I think VW's problem – other than reliability and poor dealer service – has been that their cars lack an expensive feel (for the price point). And, I'm not talking about the drive, but strictly aesthetics. They tend to be more expensive than the competition but still have such simplistic designs that they look kind of cheap. If they can cure THAT without stepping on Audi's toes, they could easily overcome some of the reliability (as a barrier to better sales) issues by pursuing excellent dealer/customer service and enhanced warranties. Remember Hyundai – they did the exact same thing to overcome poor reliability ratings. But at least they had 'cheap' on their side.
There's always someone who has to chime in about VW's reliability. Honestly, it's ranked very well in other markets. For some reason, in America, it doesn't. This is the same America that wants to hoard everything, pay nothing then complain that it's made in China. Shops at Wal Mart, eats the worst foods, wears the sloppiest clothing and believes that Camry and Corolla are acceptable.
If the quality that you want to drive is a rubbery appliance and ranks high on JD Power because it has twenty cupholders, buy a Honda Accord. But please don't even compare a VW or any German car to that kind of garbage.
But VW is garbage and a huge burden on your wallet with unreliable repairs and repair costs.
Yawn, equally bad performance, they don't put much HP under the hood. The golf was knock off its perch for awhile by the fiesta, I don't see how the focus won't do it in completely as the focus is a much better car.
Marketing. THAT and that ALONE drives VOLUME. That includes everything from knowing what CU & JD Power like in a car even before the testers themselves know. You think "spin" is just for politicans? Think again. Dusenburg didn't die because of poor quality & Toyota didn't thrive because of good quality. Its the PERCEPTION and DEFINITION of "quality" that makes or breaks the product. And that has very little to do with engineering. Matching the target to the product is what it's ALL about. When some say you have a good car, they're telling you more about themselves than they are about the car. What you do to "improve" it for the masses will no doubt loose you sales among the affectionados (and vice-versa). Thats why one market hates VW & loves Toyota while another hates Toyota and Loves VW. Personally, I'd take the ride of a '63 Buick Electra over that of an '11 Challenger SRT any day. And VW's & Toyotas are both too small for my tastes. But I'm in a pretty small niche these days.
Isn't the VW Golf hatchback being 2012 Kia Rio?! Just WOW, W-O-W. VW is dead.
"Its the PERCEPTION and DEFINITION of "quality" that makes or breaks the product. And that has very little to do with engineering. "
Can anyone who knows anything really say that a Corolla is a quality built car and a Golf isn't? Maybe Corollas are better now, but up until the early 2000s, they were slow rattletraps with terrible interiors that provided only marginal crash protection. I swore off Toyota completely after I realized there was a huge gap between the claimed reliability and the reality. I have an Audi now. The maintenance is more expensive, but the parts used are more expensive because they're geared towards performance, not a pillowy ride.
"The maintenance is more expensive, but the parts used are more expensive because they're geared towards performance, not a pillowy ride."
Exactly. One of the most common complaints about BMW's, VW brands and Mercedes is brake dust on the front wheels. It lowers their ratings on JDP and other surveys. The fact is, better quality, grippier, better performing brake pads create more brake dust. This is actually a characteristic of a vehicle that uses higher quality parts, but the average schmo sees it as a quality flaw.