VW Golf Named 2009 World Car of the Year
The Volkswagen Golf was chosen as the 2009 World Car of the Year at the New York International Auto Show by a jury of 59 international automotive journalists.
“It is a tremendous honor for Volkswagen to have its global best selling model, the Golf, named the 2009 World Car of the Year. This is a great way to kick-off the new Golf here in America. We’re excited for the arrival of the sixth generation Golf, which will be in Volkswagen showrooms later this year. Simply put, we believe this is the best Golf ever.” - Stefan Jacoby, President/CEO, Volkswagen of America, Inc
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The Golf beat out the Ford Fiesta and the Toyota IQ, the finalists whittled down from the original 51 cars in the running in January. In February, jurors voted again, scoring the top ten cars based on merit, value, safety, environment, significance and emotional appeal.
The Jurors said of the Golf:
“The new Golf VI employs Scirocco styled grille and headlights and larger tail lights. However, it also feels more expensive than other family hatches, thanks to its solid build and high quality cabin. Customers get a choice of nothing less than six engines including the punchy and efficient 158hp 1.4-litre TSI unit that features both a turbo and supercharger.
The Golf is also available with the firm’s new 2.0-litre common-rail diesel motor with either 108 or 138hp. It goes without saying that choosing between the slick 6-speed manual and superb DSG twin-clutch gearbox can be difficult. Sitting on an outstanding chassis, the VW is more refined than its rivals, especially when highway cruising. Wind, road and engine noise are kept to a minimum, making the Golf a relaxing long distance companion.”
The Paris Motor show in the fall of 2008 was the debut of VW’s sixth generation Golf, and the New York International Auto Show was the car’s U.S. debut. The new Golf, due in the U.S. in both gas and TDI versions this fall, is designed to be sportier, more fuel efficient, and quieter to drive, which should continue to hold Golf’s best-selling position. Volkswagen has sold more than 26 million of the model in 120 countries, which makes the Golf one of the top selling vehicles ever.
Previous winners of the World Car of the Year were the Mazda2 / Mazda Demio in 2008, the Lexus LS460 in 2007, the BMW 3-Series in 2006, and the Audi A6 in 2005.
Image: WCOTY
Where is the turbo-bio-diesel/electric/plug-in to kick Prius ass? VW, you have to market your superior products to make money, not just design them! We need and around-town super-miler, and you keep it under wraps, howcum? Get out the plastics and carbon fiber, and polymer composites, and lighten the 1930’s sheet metal bodies, get some plug-in tech going to compete with the vaporware “Volt” and the Chinese miracles soon to be marketed in the U.S. at half-price, and get with the 21st Century! Who needs fancy clutches and six speed transmissions when you can go Diesel/electric and battery with a constant rpm super-tuned engine? More miracles autohause, more miracles!
How many other “world cars” are there? The Euro-Focus isn’t sold stateside, the Fusion hybrid doesn’t get sold in Europe, etc.
The only real alternatives were the Golf, a few Bimmers, Benzos, and Porsches … and not much else?
What a bad decision - this car is
- overweighted
- over motorized
- offering limited trunk space
So in overall a VW Bora does offer more value for money.