VOLKSWAGEN GOLF 7 WINS 2013 EUROPE CAR OF THE YEAR

The new Golf is Europe's “Car of the Year 2013.” The renowned international “Car of the Year” Award is deemed one of the most important barometers in the automotive industry. The winners were announced yesterday, Monday 4 March 2013 in the run-up to the Geneva Motor Show.

In his acceptance speech, Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen AG, stated: “This is a superb result and we are very proud of it. This most significant European award is the perfect final touch to the list of prizes we have already won. Over 29 million customers have made the Golf into the icon that it is. The new Golf will continue this success story.”

The vote for “Car of the Year” is one of the oldest and most renowned in Europe. The best new cars have been given prizes annually since 1964. The panel of judges, consisting of 58 automotive journalists from 22 countries, nominated eight cars for the final run. The finalists were compared and evaluated during the last few months under a broad range of criteria, such as fuel efficiency, comfort, safety, driving properties, functionality, design and technological progress.

In the final vote, the new Golf came out on top with a total score of 414 points – the car in second place received a score of 202 points. Two Volkswagen models have received the coveted prize before, the Golf in 1992 and the Polo in 2010.

The most successful car in Europe has been further perfected in its seventh generation. The new Golf scored high not only with its quality, comfort, low fuel consumption and emission values as well as its excellent drive properties but also in the most vital area of safety. One of its new safety features is the standard Multi-Collision Braking System that slows the vehicle down automatically after an accident so as to reduce the remaining kinetic energy, thus avoiding more subsequent collisions.  Other safety features that are offered as standard in the new Golf include electronic XDS differential lock. These safety features offer maximum of safety and comfort at an affordable price.

The Golf's success story is exemplary, whether as a classic five door Golf, Golf Cabriolet. It is available in all five continents and in more than 120 countries. With nearly 30 million vehicles produced, the Golf has set new standards in the compact class in the last few decades. New technologies such as ABS, the airbag and the electronic stabilisation programme were integrated and have decisively shaped automotive construction in the class named after it. The exterior and interior of the Golf are also leading the way. Like almost no other product, the Golf distinguishes itself by its unique product and design language, which is seen as timeless and classless to this very day.

The new Golf, which was launched in South Africa in last month, sold over 760 units in its first month of retail.

STORY BY VOLKSWAGEN