New A3 officially launched in UK on 15 September
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No mainly because my current Sportback is only 6 months old and also I won't be that interested until Audi come out with a new Sportback with a 2.0TDI engine with an s-tronic gearbox and in SE trim. I will be interested to see what VW offer with the new Golf 7. Hopefully it will be more in line with the Seat Leon and not have the MMI interface controls in between the seats! It will also be interesting to see what Skoda come up with using the new MQB platform.
I just been looking at some pictures on the Autocar website of the new Mk 7 Golf released this evening at an event in Berlin. I must admit I prefer the interior styling to that of the new A3. Perhaps life will go full circle and I shall end up with another Golf after owning my last one (a VR6) in 1998 before I started buying an A3s.
Just looking myself, what have they done with the rear? Gone a bit Alfa! I think Audi have pulled off the edgey look better. I think I'll continue my love affair with the mk1 and 2 with the golf. I had a mk3 and 4 for a while but it just didn't do it for me. Although the 85g/km co2 is sorely temping and will stay in the lowest BIK band for years to come, whereas Audi's 99g/km co2 is slightly disappointing and will quickly feel behind the time.
I think a lot will depend on who offers what in the way of the model range. Personally I think the interior is slightly more important to me than the exterior. Interesting times ahead.
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Just had a look and sorry, but that's ghastly!
The exterior is the blandest thing I've ever seen. Many thought the Mk6 was a backward step compared to the Mk5 (and I'm one of them) and they seem to have gone even further with the Mk7. It's just an anonymous box.
As for the interior, oh dear. Far far too much silvery stuff. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt and assume it's actually aluminium rather than plastic but, even so, it looks awful. A lot of manufacturers seem to be going this "blingy" route and I think it looks cheap. Audi's interiors look classy and understated by comparison. They've also left the MMI (or whatever VW call it) display in the main dashboard area as was the case with the old(current) A3, rather than move it up to the top of the dashboard as Audi are doing. This makes far more sense as it's in your line of sight without looking down at it all the time.
Nope, afraid I couldn't disagree with you more about the Golf but I respect your opinion all the same - we're all different after all
I shall reserve my final verdict until I seen one in the flesh. But what I have seen so far of the A3 interior I don't like. Personally I much prefer the MMI controls to be on the dash in from of me rather than between the seats. I think from what I have read so far the screen to the Golf will be a touch screen as well which will be much easier to use than the Audi MMI system. So far, I have only used the Audi system in a LHD car in a showroom. It will be interested to see what it's like to use when I'm actually driving one. Even the A3 has a lot more bling these days. My first A3s did not have any chrome type surfaces at all as was much better than even my existing 2012 model with it's chrome door handles, chrome ring around the vents etc. At least I could order it with the aluminium trim on the door panels and around the s-tronic lever.
With the new Golf it also seems to depend on which pictures you look at. Some show quite a lot of aluminium on the fascia, centre console and on the door trims, other so all this in black. It may well be different trim options or just different models. No doubt all will be revealed when the usual Prices and Specification brochures are released for the UK models. Fortunately I have at least another 2-3 years before I will have to make up my mine. It will also be interesting to see Skoda do with the trim on the new Octavia.
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A friend of mine has just bought a new VRS Octy and I was really surprised how good it is. The interior had a decent layout / was solid / inoffensive (by comparison to say the new SEAT's), and it drove much better than the average Audi ride-wise.
I saw the new 8V at Le Mans this year and it looked better in the flesh than in the pictures, but like Dave, I'm not convinced that I'd jump ship for a new one when my S3 is less than a year old. Be interesting to see the S3 8V at Paris to get a sense of whether Audi have injected any of the magic back into the old girl (visually) that has been lacking since 8L. Old S was notably different from the 1.8T, the S3 8P was way too close to S-Line in styling for my liking. The quad pipes on the 8V will help, but it needs more visually focused aggression!
I saw the new 8V at Le Mans this year and it looked better in the flesh than in the pictures, but like Dave, I'm not convinced that I'd jump ship for a new one when my S3 is less than a year old. Be interesting to see the S3 8V at Paris to get a sense of whether Audi have injected any of the magic back into the old girl (visually) that has been lacking since 8L. Old S was notably different from the 1.8T, the S3 8P was way too close to S-Line in styling for my liking. The quad pipes on the 8V will help, but it needs more visually focused aggression!
2013 Volkswagen Golf: The Complete Story with Official Details, Photos and Videos [Updated] - Carscoop
If you look at the first set of pictures this seems to be the mk7 in 'GT' guise. Black interior trim as mentioned. Also note the square fog lights as per the 8V and all other new Audis.
I have also read that higher spec models will come with a colour touch screen as standard. Having just come from a mk6 GT myself, the interior seems more or less the same with the addition of the electric handbrake.
I did find the mk6 a 'comfier' place to be in rather than my 2012 8P, however I cant decided if this is down to the s line suspension making the ride a lot more harsh than the mk6 GT. (which is similar to the 8P sport set up I believe?)
Exterior styling the 8V wins hands down. GTi/R versions will be interesting though.
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Hi Warren,
My company car replacement choice was between an 8P3 s-line, Octavia VRS or another mk6 GT.
I could of have a VRS with almost every option ticked but the emissions on the 170 2.0tdi meant somewhere around an additional £50 per month company car tax. (on top of what I pay for the 8P) 149g/km vs 115g/km on the A3.
The VRS interior is just as well built as the golf/A3 and I would have no hesitation to get one if it wasn't for the tax.
There were a few odd things though such as you couldn't spec bluetooth without the MFSW - the MFSW is only available on DSG models! And you could not spec folding door mirrors option in the UK, yet it is available to spec in Ireland, strange!
There is a picture of the interior of the new Golf VII in this week's Auto Express. It shows no more chrome trim that the new A3 and looks OK to me. I like the idea of the vents and instruments both being incorporated into the 'instrument cowl' and the higher level of the radio controls. The article also says that the 'infotainment' screen will be touch screen as standard. Most of the goodies that are available on the new A3 will also be available on the Golf.
As I said, each to their own and, if you prefer the interior of the Golf then I have no problem with that at all. I reserve the right to disagree with you though
One thing I've heard a lot of people mention with Audis of late is why don't they use touch-screens like a lot of other manufacturers. Frankly I'm glad they don't. Judging by the state the screens of my iPhone and iPad get into and how I'm always feeling the need to clean them, having fingerprints all over the MMI screen would drive me insane.
One thing I've heard a lot of people mention with Audis of late is why don't they use touch-screens like a lot of other manufacturers. Frankly I'm glad they don't. Judging by the state the screens of my iPhone and iPad get into and how I'm always feeling the need to clean them, having fingerprints all over the MMI screen would drive me insane.
As I said, each to their own and, if you prefer the interior of the Golf then I have no problem with that at all. I reserve the right to disagree with you though
One thing I've heard a lot of people mention with Audis of late is why don't they use touch-screens like a lot of other manufacturers. Frankly I'm glad they don't. Judging by the state the screens of my iPhone and iPad get into and how I'm always feeling the need to clean them, having fingerprints all over the MMI screen would drive me insane.
Yes it's a good job we don't all like the same thing otherwise life and the products we use would get rather boring. Each to his own as I always say. You are buying a 3-door with sports suspension, both of which I would never consider.
I agree with you about finger marks on touch screens. You only have to pick up a tablet pc in a shop to see the state they can get in. As the radio area on the Golf seems to have four button on each side of the screen and two 'knobs' it will be interesting to see what operates what. It's possible that the normal radio/CD/SD type functions will be button operated with the touch reserved for Sat/Nav and changing car functions.
As I prefer a 5-door car to a 3-door, It's good to see the Golf will, unlike the A3, be available as a 5-door from the start. I will also be very interested to see what Skoda offer the new MQB platform. I seriously considered a Skoda Octavia Estate before I bought my current A3.
mmi controls between the seats is a no brainer, floating your hand to use it sticking out of the dash is a waste of time
Nicer looking interior shown in this photo (IMO):
2013 Volkswagen Golf officially unveiled in Berlin [video] - Photos
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Better than the previous version (an I never thought a good enough interior is a loaded £40k Mk6 Golf R), but I do dislike VW clocks. Like the blue glow, but not the dial or typeface.
Also like the way that the dash is angled towards driver rather than flat. Ford did this on the Sierra back in 1981 and a few others took it forward but then it seemed to fall by the wayside. Glad to see it back.
Also like the way that the dash is angled towards driver rather than flat. Ford did this on the Sierra back in 1981 and a few others took it forward but then it seemed to fall by the wayside. Glad to see it back.
I'm happy to admit that I am taking a bit of a gamble on the new A3, not having even seen one in the flesh, let alone driven one, prior to ordering, plus I'm still a bit "iffy" about the shape.
But I have no choice really. My current company car is due back in November so its replacement had to be ordered pronto, I can't really afford to wait and nothing else currently available appeals to me.
I'm sure I'll love it and, if the worst happens and I don't, then I only have it for a couple of years and we'll see what's about then
But I have no choice really. My current company car is due back in November so its replacement had to be ordered pronto, I can't really afford to wait and nothing else currently available appeals to me.
I'm sure I'll love it and, if the worst happens and I don't, then I only have it for a couple of years and we'll see what's about then
VW discontinued the blue glow clocks in the Golf mk6. The mk6 has white clocks with red needles, they kept the blue glow in the radio/track display though.
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Didn't even notice that when I went to see an R (was during the day). Always liked the fact they had done something different with the blue.
I know, I did not realise this until I took delivery of my 2009 mk6. I Used to have a mk5 GT and a transporter T5 both with the all blue clocks/dash and looked really good at night - also don't know why they got rid of the blue as it was unique like you say.
