Volkswagen GOLF 1.6 FSI
The 1.6-Litre FSI Model May Well Be Volkswagens Biggest Selling Fifth Generation Golf Variant. Andy Enright Takes A Look
Volkswagens Mk V Golf is a car that should generate few surprises. Even if youve never clapped eyes on one before, you wont need to clock the badge on the back to know what it is, nor will you need telling that its well built, will cling onto its value tenaciously and will doubtless be the default choice of those conscious of brand who cant quite stretch to an
Audi A3. So far so good. The 1.
6-litre model that represents the sort of mid range model that many will buy has a few other tricks up its sleeve that maybe arent so predictable.
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The key development from Mk IV to Mk V is that driving fun is back on the menu. To get your jollies in a Mk IV, you had to rely on a whole lot of engine power but even then the chassis and steering felt numb and reticent.
Volkswagen had a simple strategy for developing the suspension of the Mk V find the guys who designed the chassis of the previous best in class car and employ them. Its worked too.
Volkswagens chassis engineers have managed to combine the vivacious handling of a
Ford Focus with the ride quality of a Volkswagen Passat. Damping, turn-in and suspension noise suppression are all top notch with only the electrically assisted power steering gaining a minor demerit in terms of outright feel. The relatively high profile tyres deny it top spot on the handling podium but given its supple ride quality its hard not to view Volkswagens management of the essential compromises in chassis tuning as the best there is right now. The 1.
6-litre engine doesnt feel overly sharp but consult the figures and it beats rivals from Ford and
Vauxhall in virtually every objective way. Its more powerful, punts the Golf up the road quicker, is more economical, a little cleaner and is the only unit mated to a six-speed transmission as standard. The issue I have with this engine is that it thrives on revs and the engine note isnt overly sonorous when you are ascending over 4,000rpm. The six-speed box also means that youll need to work hard to keep it on the boil.
If you do choose to nail the throttle youll be rewarded with a sprint to 60mph in 10.8 seconds on the way to a top speed of 119mph. Be a little more restrained with the right boot and youll see an average of 44.1mpg.
Even around town its quite possible to manage more than 33mpg. Whats more the 154g/km of carbon dioxide emissions per kilometre travelled represent a very decent return for a car that weighs in at around 140kg more than a Ford Focus.
"Driving fun is back on the menu"
Volkswagen have made every effort to keep their pricing keen as well. The S model starts at £13,710 with the SE weighing in at £14,630, the Sport costing £14,900 and the 5-door models costing £500 more in each case. This means that the equivalently specified Ford Focus Zetec weighs in at around £1,000 less than the Golf SE. Its not such a big ask and theres also the advantage of strong residuals and low running costs.
The Golf is still more expensive but sit inside it and youll appreciate where a lot of that money goes. The interior quality is exemplary and although the dashboard looks rather simple, Volkswagen are past masters at including a decent complement of features unobtrusively and with excellent ergonomic consideration. Options are pricy, however, with the desirable satellite navigation and television system weighing in at nearly £1,700. The exterior styling is evolutionary rather than revolutionary.
As company boss Bernd Pischetsrieder explains: "The only mistake the Golf can make is to stop being a Golf." Theres little doubt that the fourth generation Golf was and is a handsome piece of car design, but the fifth generation marks probably the biggest evolution in the Golfs design language since the Mk 2 became the chubbier Mk 3. Everything is just that little bit curvier, sleeker and more elegant. It runs on the same platform as the latest
Audi A3 and Volkswagen Touran models and this means that the sophisticated suspension system has a huge scope for tuning from the most affordable city runabouts to hardcore sports versions. The technology behind the engine is typical of German thoroughness and ingenuity.
Fuel Stratified Injection is a system that promises the twin benefits of more power and better economy. A high-pressure fuel line mounted on the side of the cylinder head, often dubbed common rail, injects fuel straight into the combustion chamber. The shape of the pistons and the clever working of a set of valves make the air tumble, thus creating more efficient combustion. So far so good, but dont a number of other manufacturers have the same set up? No.
Where FSI engines really impress is their behaviour under part throttle loads. Whereas before, part throttle meant just that, partially strangulating the output by closing a butterfly valve, the FSI system can be run with the throttles in a more efficient open position. How? In effect by creating a rich fuel mix directly next to the spark plug and a leaner mix in other parts of the combustion chamber. This is not only more efficient in terms of how much fuel enters the chamber in the first place but it also means that less energy is wasted as heat to the cylinder block.
In effect, a blanket of air shields the ignited fuel from the walls of the cylinder. When the throttle is pressed wide open, the engine reverts top a more conventional homogenous method of filling the combustion chamber with fuel and air. The tumble effect and the synchronisation of air and fuel along with the careful metering of the high-pressure injection system all combine to offer more power and a cleaner engine. When youre dawdling, you get great economy and when you want to drop the hammer youve got more power.
Whereas many direct injection engines have been noticeably noisier than conventional petrol powerplants, the FSI unit offers both a pleasantly refined hum and instantaneous throttle responses. The Golf 1.6FSI might carry a premium price tag but its undoubtedly a cut above the more mainstream cars in this class. For years the Golf cruised, relying on a badge to warrant a swollen sticker price.
Now theres genuine substance there too.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Volkswagen Golf 1.6 FSI range
PRICES: £13,710 £15,400 on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 6
CO2 EMISSIONS: 154g/km
PERFORMANCE: Max Speed 119mph / 0-60mph 10.8s
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (urban) 33.2 (extra urban) 53.3 (combined) 44.1mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin airbags / ABS / Side airbags / ESP
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height, 4204/2000/1485mm
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