Sixth-Generation VW Golf 1.4 TSI Ready for Chinese Debut

The sixth-generation Volkswagen Golf, which was recently crowned the 2009 World Car of the Year, will also be launched in China in the near future but a specific date is yet to be revealed. According to China Car Times, the 1.4-liter TSI is the first Golf to be launched in this country, which will help the new Volkswagen model qualify for under 1.6-liter tax bracket. Obviously, this is one of the main advantages of the new Golf when analyzing the competition, as Ford is also offering a 1.8-liter configuration for the Focus.

China has slowly become one of the largest auto markets in the world and Volkswagen is undoubtedly having high expectations from it. And with the economic recession pushing people towards small-car models delivering less performance but particularly aimed at fuel economy and CO2 emissions, the new Golf seems to be the perfect choice.

As for Chinese buyers, the Golf will be offered in almost identical form with the European flavor, with the aforementioned 1.4 TSI unit to be mated to a DSG gearbox.

Pricing is yet to be unveiled but the aforementioned source estimates the new Golf is likely to enter the market at a price tag of 120,000 Chinese yuan (approximately 17,500 US dollars) which means it would become competitive with the other VW models currently sold in China as well as with other cars in the same class such as Ford Focus and Honda Civic.

The sixth-generation Volkswagen Golf is being offered in Europe in 6 engine configurations, 2 diesels and four petrols, ranging between 1.4- and 2.0-liter. The top-of-the-line powerplant is the 1.4-liter TSI that develops a maximum power of 160 hp (118 kW) at 5800 rpm combined with a torque of 177 lb-ft at 4500 rpm.