A3 vs Facelift Golf Interior

Ormesome · Oct 24, 2016

Just stumbled across this on CarWow. Apparently the facelift Golf is getting a 12.8 inch touchscreen as standard. Looks pretty amazing. Is the Golf about to take the best interior crown?! I think it might, especially if they incorporate the hand gesture controls. I mentioned recently that i thought the Audi Virtual Cockpit would age really quickly. Surely its old hat already compared to this?

Looking to the future, especially as its a VAG group car, i wonder how Audi will compete with this, how they will change the design with the A3 after this facelift version.

https://www.carwow.co.uk/news/volkswagen-golf-mk7-facelift-complete-guide-3097

simonali · Oct 24, 2016

I find it hard to believe that they're gonna do a complete redesign on the interior of a car that will only be on the market for a year...

GSB · Oct 24, 2016

Nope. Not a chance. VAG is not about to kill the golden goose that allows them to sell the same product at so many different price points. The hierarchy must always remain, the A3 is marketed as an aspirational brand. There's nothing to aspire to if the VW version is tangibly better than the version at the top of the tree.

The VW must always be a tiny bit better than the Ford equivalent, a bit more desireable than the SEAT or Skoda variant, but it can't be better than the Audi, lest it reveal the 'big secret' that we Audi owners are paying big premiums for skodas in prettier clothes.

On the plus side though, if some of this tech makes it into the new Golf, the new A3 due in two or three years will be a pretty impressive place to sit.

KenL · Oct 24, 2016

Interesting. The A3 was cheaper to own than a Golf when I was looking into getting a new car. Perhaps not in list price but with better pcp deals and higher residuals the A3 was a cheaper option.

A 12.8 inch screen seems over the top in a car to me.

Gordo77 · Oct 24, 2016

The photo on CarWow appears to show the virtual cockpit as well. Look at the number of buttons on the steering wheel tho... far too many!

paradigital · Oct 24, 2016

Touchscreens have no place in cars, tactile feedback of the controls is key to being able to operate "blind".

It's why I've never entertained Jaguar as a potential replacement for my A4, touchscreen... eurgh.

Furthermore, manufacturers need to sod off with the current trend of "let's stick an iPad on the dashboard" approach to infotainment screens, I didn't order the 2.0TFSI Quattro A4 because the iPad makes the dash hideous. Not as bad as the Merc A-Class though, that just looks like a complete afterthought.

Daz Auto · Oct 24, 2016

simonali said:
I find it hard to believe that they're gonna do a complete redesign on the interior of a car that will only be on the market for a year...

As Abraham Lincoln once said, "You should not believe everything you read on the internet."

I read that the Mk8 Golf was coming out next year!

It is all speculation. However, in 2020 there will be the new EU7 emissions standards. I think it makes far more sense for the Mk8 to be released at the end of 2018 at the earliest - for delivery in 2019. The performance car will probably not be available for a further 6 months, with the usual long waiting lists. So I don't expect to see a Golf R on the road before 2020. This is all educated guessing and could be wrong, but it makes a lot more sense than producing a facelift for only 1 year.

Wibbly · Oct 24, 2016

A big screen does not make an "interior" (only part of it). Many cheaper far eastern cars have lots of features that appear to align with what we get from VAG at a premium, especially in the upmarket brands, but the interior 'experience' is just horrid. As many who buy Apple phones over most Android equivalents, it's not about a "feature war". It's about good design, materials etc., and paying a premium price for that...

User experience and interface on car manufacturer's attempts at a 'cool' interface aren't great in my opinion - one reason I still use Google Maps on my phone for navigation, and a music app on the phone for music over what I have in my car. A horrid UI on a big screen is worse than a horrid UI on a smaller one!

Gugne · Oct 24, 2016

I'm running an R at the moment and the touchscreen is lovely to operate but only when you're stopped. Any other time it's a joke, as hitting the screen in the right place is more luck than judgement unless you're on a smooth bit of motorway.
Changing everything to touch would be a nightmare to operate whilst driving.

Ormesome · Oct 24, 2016

I was kind of going for the point that the Golf might have a more wow factor to the interior now. Most people compare the A3 to the Golf & vice versa when buying their new car. Even though the MMI & VC is a great system, they will get in the Golf and just think "wow". I still love the MMI, dont get me wrong, but compared to that Tesla style big screen its just not up to a market leading standard. Im amazed that Audi have let this happen. Audi, like others have said on here, is the market leader for VAG, you aspire to want to own a car with that badge, so why let VW build an interior with so much more "wow" factor. The A3 has even just been face lifted so they could have addressed this issue.

richinsoton · Oct 24, 2016

The only wow factor that giant touchscreen has for me is 'wow that looks horrible all covered in fingerprints!' (I seem to spend a large amount of my time wiping the touchscreen on my phone, so this would be no different) & as someone else has already said good luck hitting the correct part of the screen with our lovely pot holed roads!.

paradigital · Oct 24, 2016

Ormesome said:
I still love the MMI, dont get me wrong, but compared to that Tesla style big screen its just not up to a market leading standard.

You're wrong. I see the Tesla and think "Nice car, shame about the awful ergonomics for the controls/infotainment".

Ormesome · Oct 24, 2016

paradigital said:
You're wrong. I see the Tesla and think "Nice car, shame about the awful ergonomics for the controls/infotainment".

No your wrong! haha! :haha:

But seriously, people who hate the big tablet style dash better get used to it. it will be the industry standard in 2/3yrs time unless you go for a lower end brand. Just look at the new Merc E-Class. 2 12inch screens.

paradigital · Oct 24, 2016

Ah, but the E Class still has (and will continue to have, they aren't daft) tactile controls.

Giant touchscreens with no physical buttons are just terrible, and no manufacturer with any understanding of ergonomics will do away with physical controls, it simply doesn't work, at least not without making all of the on-screen elements scaled such that Mr Magoo could see them without his glasses.

simonali · Oct 24, 2016

Decent voice control is what we need, not TV screens...

Gordo77 · Oct 24, 2016

Haptic feedback...? The Home "button" on the iPhone 7 ain't a real button, but gives you the impression you have pressed something.

The Renault Megane now comes with a big iPad screen:

paradigital · Oct 24, 2016

And that looks awful.

Daveotto · Oct 24, 2016

paradigital said:
Not as bad as the Merc A-Class though, that just looks like a complete afterthought.

It was an after thought

Wibbly said:
A big screen does not make an "interior" (only part of it). Many cheaper far eastern cars have lots of features that appear to align with what we get from VAG at a premium, especially in the upmarket brands, but the interior 'experience' is just horrid.

I like the touchy feely bits of plastic and vinyl

If the thing that turns your head is the big screen in the middle don't bother with the £30K+ bit of engine, gearbox wheels, suspension etc and buy a 78" TV and a PS4/Xbox...LOL

Seriously what I love about the A/S3 is that I can hide the screen away ...minimalistic design at its best

Simon L · Oct 24, 2016

Daveotto said:
It was an after thought

I like the touchy feely bits of plastic and vinyl

If the thing that turns your head is the big screen in the middle don't bother with the £30K+ bit of engine, gearbox wheels, suspension etc and buy a 78" TV and a PS4/Xbox...LOL

Seriously what I love about the A/S3 is that I can hide the screen away ...minimalistic design at its best

Absolutely right mate.

You're all getting a bit carried away with the tech side of things here lol The reason Audi is poles apart from VW, and practically every other car manufacturer, is down to the interior design and quality of materials used.

richinsoton · Oct 24, 2016

Gordo77 said:
Haptic feedback...? The Home "button" on the iPhone 7 ain't a real button, but gives you the impression you have pressed something.

The Renault Megane now comes with a big iPad screen:

View attachment 107996

I don't know what's more off putting with that dash... the robot face singing into the gearlever microphone or the laughing steering wheel !...
I think it maybe time for my medication nurse!.

Daveotto · Oct 24, 2016

richinsoton said:
I don't know what's more off putting with that dash... the robot face singing into the gearlever microphone or the laughing steering wheel !...
I think it maybe time for my medication nurse!.

View attachment 108001

Just needs a bit of walnut veneer and it's starting to look like the inside of a Tesla...yuk

Flying Scotsman · Oct 24, 2016

I am on the bandwagon for smaller not larger info screens. The pop up MMI is to me just brilliant...there when you need it, out of sight otherwise. Tactile screens are just plain stupid and the I Pad on the Mercedes C class and others is ugly and obstructs vision. I just believe that driving a car is what our attention should be focused on, not social and other media claptrap which can remove that attention to the task in hand.
I will not get off my soapbox, as I might stray to also talking about driving skills, or lack of those as I seem them on today's roads. Just yesterday, I saw.......Dougie,remember you are off your soapbox!!

SamR92 · Oct 24, 2016

Maybe Audi will replace the steering wheel with a tablet in the next design... :huh:

Daz Auto · Oct 26, 2016

Flying Scotsman said:
I am on the bandwagon for smaller not larger info screens. The pop up MMI is to me just brilliant...there when you need it, out of sight otherwise.
... I just believe that driving a car is what our attention should be focused on, not social and other media claptrap which can remove that attention to the task in hand.

...I completely agree...

However, the move to large touch screens is happening alongside increased driver assistance. Automatic/adaptive cruise control, lane assist and automatic headlights. Yes, these large screens are a potential distraction, but most modern cars have lots of distracting technology already. My wife has had her A3 for 2 1/2 years and just this week said she has really gotten used to all the controls inside it. I cannot use the Audi MMI system without occasionally glancing down at the center console. Though with ACC tracking a car in front - that glance has never been safer.

The Audi MMI system is excellent. Though - in my opinion - most Audis have 1 major ergonomic flaw. With the ACC set, the driving position can become uncomfortable. There is a simple fix - the cars need a right foot rest.

May be because I drive a Golf with a right foot rest - I find driving the A3 particularly uncomfortable on long journeys. My legs are not long, but my right knee and ankle do start to ache when the ACC is set for long periods. There is no issue on short journeys as ACC is rarely used.

4K · Oct 26, 2016

In no way does that interior look better than any Audi interior thus far, other than perhaps an A1's interior. However, now we're comparing apples and oranges.

That screen is far too big for me personally. I prefer the MMI pop up, as it doesn't distract me from the road too much, and other than the rattle it currently has (!!) it suits me well.

Haptic feedback will be good though, and I suspect VW will have it first before Audi; as they seem to do with most things these days (take Apple Carplay for example), but VW still have the same conservative, drab, boring interiors that age rather quickly.

But yea, sorry, VW will never be crowned the king of the interior.

4K · Oct 26, 2016

GSB said:
Nope. Not a chance. VAG is not about to kill the golden goose that allows them to sell the same product at so many different price points. The hierarchy must always remain, the A3 is marketed as an aspirational brand. There's nothing to aspire to if the VW version is tangibly better than the version at the top of the tree.

The VW must always be a tiny bit better than the Ford equivalent, a bit more desireable than the SEAT or Skoda variant, but it can't be better than the Audi, lest it reveal the 'big secret' that we Audi owners are paying big premiums for skodas in prettier clothes.

On the plus side though, if some of this tech makes it into the new Golf, the new A3 due in two or three years will be a pretty impressive place to sit.

It's been pretty much confirmed by insiders/journalists/enthusiasts that this will be the new interior of the Golf. It still looks garbage though compared to an A3.

Don76 · Oct 26, 2016

The 12" screen they speak of for the FL golf is the virtual cockpit.

The updated MMI screen is to be 10" which ain't that much bigger than the current one.

The gesture controls are interesting. BMW have these on some models and they seem quite intuitive.

Sent from my SM-G928F using Tapatalk

Simon L · Oct 26, 2016

I don't mind how big the screens get as long as Audi stick with a retractable one. One of the best pieces of car tech in recent memory for my money. I keep mine up all the time but as it retracts when you power off it practically never gets so much as a spec of dust on it....................one less thing to keep clean................brilliant

...........touchscreens on the other hand have absolutely no place in a car whatsoever. There's plenty of distracted drivers fart-arsing around in cars as it is!! lol

Don76 · Oct 26, 2016

Simon L said:
I don't mind how big the screens get as long as Audi stick with a retractable one. One of the best pieces of car tech in recent memory for my money. I keep mine up all the time but as it retracts when you power off it practically never gets so much as a spec of dust on it....................one less thing to keep clean................brilliant

...........touchscreens on the other hand have absolutely no place in a car whatsoever. There's plenty of distracted drivers fart-arsing around in cars as it is!! lol

Couldn't agree more. Well said that man.

Although I do like the screen in the tesla.

Sent from my SM-G928F using Tapatalk

Ormesome · Nov 17, 2016

nice video review of the new Golf here. Shows what the interior will be like. Style wise i admit the A3 wins!

Only just seen Simon L's comment about the retractable screen being great. I love it too. I realised recently that its a Kenwood system. Made me laugh as its been around for yrs through other systems but just because it folds in to the dash we are amazed!! I remember even seeing a Ripspeed retractable system for a few hundred yrs ago!

h5djr · Nov 17, 2016

According to today's Auto Express the 'facelift' Golf, which they show in pictures and description with have a 6.5" screen as standard with 8" and 9.2" as an option on some models. No mention of anything larger.

h5djr · Nov 17, 2016

Further to my earlier post the Facelift Golf will be available in February. Top of the range models will get the 9.2" screen with Discovery Plus set-up which also brings voice control and gesture control for some of it's key functions. There is also to be a 1.5 tubrocharged petrol engine producing 148 bhp with Active Cylinder Management. VW also intend to phase out the 6-speed DSG in favour of a 7-speed version across the range.

Scottyg · Nov 17, 2016

A 129bhp version will also be available in BlueMotion guise.
An improvement with the golf interior wouldn't be difficult. A very bland and boring place to sit.

Jassyo06 · Nov 17, 2016

What a stupid thread....end of

Gordo77 · Nov 17, 2016

Scottyg said:
A 129bhp version will also be available in BlueMotion guise.
An improvement with the golf interior wouldn't be difficult. A very bland and boring place to sit.

Agree about the interior. The VC on the new Golf looks a bit snazzier than in Audi's... it has a sort of pale blue look about it.

cemerson · Nov 17, 2016

Couldn't agree more about touchscreens. I cannot stand touch screens in a car, awful idea. I can use the MMI in my A3 without looking where my hands are, and see what's happening on the screen with my peripheral vision - not really possible with a touch screen. It's distracting.

h5djr · Nov 17, 2016

Personally I think the best answer is a combination of both. Things that you may want to change when you are actually driving are in many ways better not done by a touch screen. But items currently in the MMI like changing any car settings for example, which should not be done whilst driving are better and easier done on a touch screen. Entering Navigation locations using a QWERTY touch screen is better than having to use the MMI wheel to run left and right in a line of letters. When I test drove the facelift 190 last week-end setting a navigation location either place or post code was much more difficult than using the touch qwerty keyboard on my TomTom and that was with my wife trying to enter the data when she was the passenger and I was the driver. My new 184 will have Navigation as standard but I don't think we will be using it.

cemerson · Nov 17, 2016

I use the touch sensitive input on the MMI knob, or speech generally. Both work very well in the A3.

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