Monday, March 31, 2014

Forty Years a Golf: A Pictorial History of VW’s Compact Hatch

Volkswagen Golf Celebrates 40th Anniversary, Over 30 Million Sales

The Volkswagen Golf wasn't the first subcompact hatchback on the market, but it has been the best selling European car of all time. And it's the one small hatch that did the most to help the segment shed the odor of cheapness and frugality. Forty years ago, the Golf was launched as a replacement for the omnipresent classic Volkswagen Beetle.

Golf MkI (from 1974)

Golf MkI (from 1974)

Styled by Giorgio Giugiaro in a contemporary, angular fashion, the Golf MkI hit the mark from the beginning. But it truly took off with the addition of a diesel engine—arguably the first diesel that was fun to drive—and the GTI, which gave the Golf a somewhat upscale, more fun-to-drive image. In the U.S. market, VW launched the Golf MkI as the Rabbit and began assembling it in 1978 in a former Chrysler plant in Westmoreland, Pennsylvania. The U.S. version increasingly deviated from the German original with the introduction of a different grille and rectangular headlight, as well as a padded dashboard and somewhat bland color combinations. In fact, it began to resemble a car that had copied the original Golf Mk I, the Dodge Omni/Plymouth Horizon twins.

Fortunately, there was the GTI—fantastically quick and fun to drive with 110, later 112 horsepower in Germany—and still a blast in U.S. tune with its 90-hp, 1.8-liter four. And the cabriolet version—sometimes known as the "bitch basket"—carried on well into the 1990s. Our favorite MkI, however, comes from South Africa: The CitiGolf was built in Uitenhage until 2009 and its R derivative, of which only 375 were built, was rated at 122 horsepower and capable of reaching 122 mph. Hand-wringing critics had long criticized VW for keeping such an "unsafe" and "outdated" vehicle on the market, but it was tough to find a car back then that was more fun in the city.

Golf MkII (from 1983)

Golf MkII (from 1983)

The first Golf was tough to replace, and it was perhaps not the best idea to leave the task to VW's own styling department under Herbert Schäfer. VW toyed with futuristic proposals, one of which was used on the government-sponsored 1981 "Auto 2000″ prototype, but in the end settled for an evolutionary style, highlighted by a fat C-pillar. For the U.S. market, the Golf Mk II was produced in Westmoreland until the plant closed its doors in 1988.

Technologically, the Golf MkII brought about some significant advances, such as all-wheel drive and a 16-valve engine for the GTI. Europe got a garish, upmarket "Carat" trim level. And there were two versions with the infamous G-Lader scroll-type supercharger: The Rallye Golf, with Delta Integrale–inspired big cheeks, and the GTI G60. No convertible version was built.

Golf MkIII  (from 1991)
Golf MkIII  (from 1991)<
In the third generation, the Golf's styling emancipated itself entirely from the MkI and MkII, for better or worse. The characteristic round headlights made way for oval shaped ones, and a pronounced shoulder gave the Golf a substantial look. A station wagon version was added.

Great things happened under the skin: The Golf TDI was launched with a direct-injected turbo-diesel, which gave the car tremendous low-end punch. And VW offered a VR-6 engine with 174 horsepower (later, 192 horsepower became available). The Golf MkIII also came as a cabriolet and a few hundred electric versions were built for a singularly unreceptive market.

Golf MkIV (from 1997)
Golf MkIV (from 1997)

This one wore the handwriting of Ferdinand Piëch and chief designer Hartmut Warkuß. The extremely small body gaps emphasized the perception of quality. In the cabin, the new Golf featured upscale materials and blue instrumentation. Most designers agree that the design of the MkIV is among the most iconic of Golfs, right up there with the MkI.

Sadly, the GTI lost a lot of its special-ness and was relegated to the status of a mere trim level. The MkIV Golf became available with a number of interesting engines, including a 1.8-liter, 20-valve turbo, and a VR-5. Also, a more powerful VR-6, launched in the new R32, was mated with a new six-speed, wet-dual-clutch automatic, a transmission that has since become a game changer. Meanwhile, the Golf MkIII cabriolet was tweaked to resemble a MkIV, but it remained the old car under the skin.

Golf MkV (from 2003)

Golf MkV (from 2003)

The MkV Golf, curiously marketed as the Rabbit once again in the U.S., was the baby of Marc Lichte, now chief designer at Audi. Generally regarded as a less successful car stylistically, its chief merit was restoring the GTI to its well-deserved status as a distinct and special addition to the lineup. The R32, with its powerful VR-6 and all-wheel drive, carried on. VW began offering the 1.4 TSI Twincharger engine, which combined a supercharger and a turbocharger. And the high-roof Golf Plus was added.

The cabriolet, on the other hand, was killed off to make room for the Eos. VW did not keep the MkV on the market as long as intended—a major face lift was required to update its design, which became the MkVI.

Golf Mk VI (from 2008)

Golf Mk VI (from 2008)

Launched in Iceland in the summer of 2008, the Golf MkVI is perhaps the most successful face lift ever. The styling department cleaned up the exterior considerably, and the boxy dashboard made way for a far more elegant cockpit. But the station wagon—sold in the U.S. as the Jetta SportWagen—fully betrayed the new car's MkV roots: Its somewhat ungainly rear end is identical to its predecessor.

In the name of efficiency, VW killed the VR-6, but the Golf R with its 300-hp, 2.0-liter TSI made up for it. And the cabriolet made a return.



It takes a few glances to distinguish the Golf MkVII from the MkVI, but this time around, it is an entirely new car, built atop the VW Group's MQB modular-longitudinal platform. It is lighter than the preceding PQ35 architecture and it is available with greatly expanded comfort, electronics, and assistance-system options. For the first time, the trend toward higher mass in succeeding models was forcefully reversed.

The two-door MkVII evokes the MkI with the kink of its side window. Notable variations include the GTE, a plug-in hybrid; and a fully electric Golf, which VW hopes will outsell the electric derivatives of former generations. The MkVII family is still far from complete: We expect to see further derivatives, possibly including a new version of the cabriolet, as well as sportier versions of the GTI and the Golf R.

Volkswagen Golf Celebrates 40th Anniversary, Over 30 Million Sales



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Mini Simultaneously Goes Green, Waves the Union Jack With New Cooper T

Mini Cooper T

A new model Mini says enhances "the company's sustainability credentials" is making its internet debut—and it's as silly a joke as you might expect from those cheeky chums over at Mini. The new ride is called the Cooper T, and it is claimed to be the "first vehicle to be powered by tea-leaf biofuel composite." A British car that runs on tea? How has no one thought of this before April 1, 2014? 



Mini boasts the Cooper T is capable of 40 miles on a single cup of the new fuel, and to ensure "peckish owners and opportunistic passersby" from dipping their biscuits in the T's fuel tank there is promising-sounding Dunk Avoidance Technology standard. When it is offered for sale to no one ever, the Cooper T will not be available in Chamomile Yellow, Red Bush, or Earl Grey colors. We also hear that Mini wanted to build a hotter version of the T—served at a piping boil, no less—but Ford took umbrage with the name "Cooper ST." Way to dampen this technological breakthrough, Ford.



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Ringer Pontiac GTO from C/D’s Past to Make Appearance at Carlisle GM Nationals

Ringer Pontiac GTO to Make Appearance at Carlisle GM Nationals

1964 Pontiac Tempest GTO

Some cars pass through C/D with the expediency of a burrito from a late-night street vendor purchased in the heat of desire; you abuse each other in secret, the encounter never to be spoken of publicly. Others leave an indelible mark that, for better or worse, will forever be intrinsically linked with your name. For Car and Driver, the 1964 Pontiac Tempest GTO is one of the latter. For C/D readers of a certain age, the car and story have achieved near-legend status.

The subject of an epic comparison that never really was, the Pontiac GTO pictured above was the cover model and main player of the March 1964 issue of Car and Driver. Illustrated with equal parts savvy and naiveté, the cover depicts the Pontiac GTO gaining on a genuine Ferrari 250 GTO, suggesting that Pontiac had hit the sweet spot and finally had the goods to challenge Europe's finest head to head.

We've already revisited the GTO vs. GTO story once—those of you too young to remember 3.2 beer and leaded gas are advised to check it out immediately—but since then, as office deity The Dude would say, "new shit has come to light." According to Hemmings Motor News, Jim Wangers, who at the time of the original test worked for Pontiac's advertising agency, admitted in his 1998 biography that he requested a secret swap of a 421 motor for the GTO's standard high-performance 389 V-8. This, coupled with the "Bobcat" performance package installed by Ace Wilson's Royal Pontiac dealership—that we were aware of—permitted our GTO to put down some serious test numbers. Soon the name "Royal Pontiac" would assume status of its own in the performance world.



Scott Tiemann of Super Car Specialties has meticulously restored the GTO for its current owner, Tenney Fairchild. Now the car is coming back for another "victory" lap, as part of the GTO 50th anniversary festivities scheduled for the GM Nationals in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, this June.

Ringer Pontiac GTO to Make Appearance at Carlisle GM Nationals



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Recall Alert: 2013-2014 Chevrolet Cruze

2014ChevroletCruze

Vehicles Affected: About 174,046 model-year 2013-2014 Chevrolet Cruze sedans equipped with a turbo 1.4-liter engine and manufactured between Nov. 28, 2012, and March 7, 2014.

The Problem: The right front half shaft may fracture and separate while driving, potentially causing the vehicle to lose power and coast to a stop. If a vehicle with a fractured half shaft is parked without the parking brake applied, the car could move unexpectedly. Either condition increases the risk of a crash. The recall comes after GM recently announced that it was ordering dealers to stop selling 2013 and 2014 Cruzes with the 1.4-liter engine, but did not reveal why at the time.

The Fix: GM will initially notify owners starting April 28 and a second time when parts are available, and dealers will inspect and replace the right half shaft, if necessary, for free. Some vehicles in this recall were subject to another recall initiated in August 2013 and repaired using defective parts. GM also said those owners will be advised that they must have their vehicles fixed again under this new recall campaign.

What Owners Should Do: Owners can call Chevrolet at 866-694-6546 or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's vehicle-safety hotline at 888-327-4236, or go to www.safercar.gov, for more info.

More Recalls

Manufacturer image



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2013 Nissan Pathfinder Long-Term Wrap: The Paths It Found Were Mostly Paved

2013 Nissan Pathfinder Long-Term Wrap: The Paths It Found Were Mostly Paved

The SUV is dead. Long live the crossover.

The vehicular mastodons of the 1990s began flirting with extinction as manufacturers and buyers turned to better-behaved family vehicles. These modern, car-based utilities have dumped the off-road hardware, if not always the off-road look, in their attempt to satisfy the considerable "anything but a minivan" crowd. READ MORE ››



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GM Recalls 1.3 Million Cars for Power-Steering Issue Unrelated to Ignition-Switch Problem

Pontiac G6 sedan

You know how the old saying goes: "Another day, another General Motors recall." Today, GM announced it is recalling 1.3 million vehicles that have the potential to lose power steering. This, of course, is a new recall, separate from the ignition-switch failures, potentially fire-inducing loose oil hoses on trucks and SUVs, and half-shaft issues with Chevrolet Cruzes.

While GM's image continues to take a beating, there is a silver lining: Some of the 1.3 million newly recalled vehicles also are subject to the now-2.2-million-cars-strong ignition-switch recall. So 2004–2007 Saturn Ion customers, 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, and 2009–2010 Chevrolet HHR owners now can have not one but two potentially crash-inducing vehicle flaws fixed in a single service visit. (Well, depending on parts availability, GM says it "may require a separate" dealership visit.)

According to GM, the power-steering issue doesn't remove the ability to steer a vehicle, since manual steering remains in play, but the sudden shift in steering effort could lead to a crash. GM therefore will replace either the power steering motor, the steering column, the steering control unit, or a "combination" of all three on affected vehicles, free of charge.



The official lineup of cars in the recall includes all 2004–05 Malibus and some 2006, 2008, and 2009 models; all 2004–05 Malibu Maxxes, plus some 2006 models; some non-turbocharged 2009–10 Chevy HHRs; some 2010 Cobalts; some 2008–09 Saturn Auras; all 2004–07 Saturn Ions; all 2005 Pontiac G6s, some '06, '08, and '09 models; and any cars with relevant service parts installed due to a prior recall before May 31, 2010.



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Recall Alert: 1.3 Million Older Model GM Vehicles

2004-chevrolet-malibu

Vehicles Affected: Approximately 1.3 million older-model GM vehicles. The affected cars include model-year 2004-06 and 2008-09 Chevrolet Malibu sedans, 2004-06 Malibu Maxx wagons, non-turbo versions of the 2009-10 Chevrolet HHR hatchback, model-year 2010 versions of the Cobalt coupe and sedan, model-year 2008-09 versions of the Saturn Aura sedan, model-year 2004-07 versions of the Saturn Ion coupe and sedan, and model-year 2005-09 versions of the Pontiac G6. GM is also reporting that certain vehicles that had related service parts installed before May 31, 2010, under a previous safety recall may also be affected.

The Problem: GM is recalling the vehicles due to a sudden loss of electric power steering assist, which could increase the risk of a crash. If this happens, drivers will be alerted by a message on the driver information center and a corresponding chime. "Steering control can be maintained because the vehicle will revert to manual steering, but greater driver effort would be required at low vehicle speeds," GM said in a statement.

The automaker also said that it's unaware of any fatalities related to this recall, but some crashes have been reported.

The Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the affected parts for free. Customers who previously paid for repairs of these parts are eligible for reimbursement, GM said. Owners of non-turbocharged model-year 2006-09 Chevrolet HHRs and model-year 2003 Saturn Ions that are not part of this recall will be given lifetime warranties for replacement of the electronic power steering motor.  

"With these safety recalls and lifetime warranties, we are going after every car that might have this problem, and we are going to make it right. We have recalled some of these vehicles before for the same issue and offered extended warranties on others, but we did not do enough," Jeff Boyer, vice president, GM global vehicle safety, said in a statement.

What Owners Should Do: GM will notify owners, but has not yet released an owner notification timeline. Owners can call Chevrolet at 800-222-1020, Pontiac at 800-762-2737 and Saturn at 800-553-6000 for more information.

More Recalls



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Join Us as We Live Tweet Tomorrow’s Congressional Hearing on the GM Ignition Recalls

GM CEO Mary Barra

When General Motors CEO Mary Barra speaks before Congress tomorrow, politicians will raise their voices in an effort to show us they care about our safety. While we can't imagine any of these elected officials channeling their inner Zack de la Rocha while performing "Testify," we'll be watching the entire hearing from the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee and live tweeting the choicest moments. David Friedman, interim administrator for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, will also testify.



Whatever your political stance, GM's culture of cost-cutting and thick bureaucracy—not to mention similarly alarming head-turning from the NHTSA—that has come to light since the automaker recalled more than 2.5 million vehicles should warrant your attention. Indeed, all automakers will be taking notes. Follow us on Twitter, @CARandDriver, starting at 2 p.m. to voice your opinion and ask us what's on your mind.



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Mini Paceman GoalCooper Either an April Fool’s Joke, or Brazil Got the Short End of the Special-Editions Stick

Mini Paceman GoalCooper

With April 1 right around the corner, it's that time of year when we really put on our skeptical glasses and read all news with an eye toward weeding out the fake stuff—especially from manufacturers. Take, for example, Mini's announcement for a new Brazil-focused Paceman GoalCooper model. Besides featuring a Brazil-tastic green, blue, and yellow paint scheme, Mini has set up the special John Cooper Works Paceman's rear hatch to mimic a soccer goal. And the company actually expects people to kick balls at it.

We're calling this one a joke, since if it is for real, Brazilians really only get a neat paint job covering a whole carful of hokey-ness. Inside, there are astroturf floor mats and a mini foosball table fitted between to the two rear seats. Fold down the rear chairs, however, and the GoalCooper becomes a carnival-style game platform. A large astroturf mat stretches from the backs of the front seats to the tailgate, and there's a net between the front seats. Mini's "goal" with this makeshift goal is to invite folks to try and score using actual soccer balls; as soon as the rear park sensors detect an object (like an incoming ball), the rear hatch closes to try for a save. (GoalCooper = Goal keeper, get it?)



Except, we can't think of a worse idea than kicking ball at either a car's interior or its closing hatch; can anyone say "replacement glass?" We're calling this one a GagCooper.

Mini Paceman GoalCooper



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Name That Shifter, No. 172

Name That Shifter

Shifter No 172

It's Monday, and that means it's time to present this week's shifter. You'll have until mid-day Wednesday to identify the make and model of the vehicle whence this shifter came. The first person to respond correctly in the Backfires section below will win a Save the Manuals button and sticker.* Good luck!

(* Offer open to U.S. and Canadian residents only.)



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Canadian Toyota Plants To Hold Union Vote As Early As Next Week

ToyotaProduction

Unifor, Canada's largest private sector union (formerly known as the CAW), has filed to unionize Toyota plants in Canada. The Financial Post reports that more than 40 percent of Toyota's 6,500 workers have signed union cards.

According the paper, Unifor president Jerry Dias characterized the move to unionize as an "internal effort", with employees apparently creating their own union cards and sending them to Unifor.

The FP notes that

"Employees at the Toyota plants have raised concerns about several recent unilateral changes at the plants, including moving new hires to a defined-contribution pension plan and the hours they work. They also have concerns about the company ability to impose other changes, and other health and safety concerns. In order for the certification vote to pass, 50% plus one of the Toyota workers have to vote in favor of unionization."

According to Dias, the effort to organize has more to do with workers having a say in the management of the plant, rather than compensation or benefits. Dias noted that Unifor would attempt to negotiate a new collective agreement if the effort was successful.

While it would be tough to speculate on the outcome of the vote, Dias has previously stated that he would delay a union vote until he was comfortable that a victory would occur. Previous efforts by the CAW to organize Honda's plant in Alliston, Ontario, were unsuccessful, with workers repeatedly failing to organize. One Honda insider suggested that a successful campaign could even lead to a shutdown of a given plant, despite the recent investments made by Toyota and the Canadian government.

According to our source, the Japanese take a dim view of any outside forces trying to meddle in the management of their plant – unions included. Unions do exist in Japanese auto plants, but don't aim to do this, or any other initiative that would be seen as hostile in the context of Japanese labor relations.



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Feds Say New Cars Must Have Backup Cameras By Model-Year 2019

2014-honda-accord

After years of delays and lawsuits, the government's proposed backup camera mandate is finally a reality, according to reports from The Detroit News. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ruled that all vehicles less than 10,000 pounds must be equipped with a backup camera starting in 2018 for model-year 2019 vehicles.

The mandate is a long time coming: Congress passed the Cameron Gulbransen Kids Transportation Safety Act in 2008, named after a child killed when an SUV backed into him in 2002. The bill stipulated that the Department of Transportation had to issue a backup camera law within three years. After years of setbacks, several safety groups sued the DOT last year, citing an "unreasonable delay" in creating backup-camera rules.

Cost is one of the points at issue; NHTSA says the backup camera will likely cost the auto industry an extra $58 to $203 per vehicle, but that the equipment would cut between 95 and 112 of the nearly 300 backup deaths per year in the U.S. NHTSA cites that about 100 of those annual deaths are of children younger than 5. Some automakers, like Honda, have already started offering standard backup cameras across their lineups.

Click here to read more from our affiliates at the Detroit News.



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2016 Chevrolet Cruze Spied—But Don’t Get Too Excited, This One’s for China

2016 Chinese-market Chevrolet Cruze

Chevrolet's next-generation Cruze sedan has been snapped completely naked, with the revealing photos first hitting the web via auto.sohu. But is this actually the next-generation Cruze? Well, yes and no. As a GM source tells us, this car is a new-generation Cruze, but it's bound only for China, and will be making its official debut at the 2014 Beijing auto show. While loosely connected to the next-generation global Cruze headed stateside in a year or two, the China-specific compact rides on a longer wheelbase and will be built in China.

What we can say is that this Chinese-market Chevy's styling should carry over more or less intact to the 2016 U.S.-market model. Now, we understand this look could change somewhat for our Cruze, but the basics are awfully, well, basic. This is a completely unexciting-looking car, with a vaguely Honda Civic–esque tadpole body shape onto which Chevy overlaid a pair of Kia Forte–aping headlights, a Malibu grille treatment, and the little swoosh-shaped rear fender crease from the two-sizes-up Impala. It works on the Impala, not so much here.



The softened styling is a shame given how handsome today's hard-edged Cruze is, but we'll need to wait for the final U.S.-market design to appear in a year or so to render full judgment. At least there's good news on the engine front: We expect the new Cruze—Chinese or otherwise—to utilize at least one member of General Motors's all-new small-engine family.



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