Going into its second year in the Malaysian market, the Volkswagen Passat R-Line has received upgrades as well as a boost in performance. The new model is priced from RM211,916.88 (without insurance) and being assembled locally in Pekan, Pahang, customers can buy it without having to pay sales tax (until June 30, 2022).
The 2.0TSI turbocharged engine has its output now raised to 220 ps/350 Nm, all of which goes to the front wheels through a 6-speed wet-clutch DSG transmission. Dynamic Chassis Control enhances the driving experience, allowing the drive to personalise the handling character of the car.
Besides the engine improvement, the other change is to the audio system which is now a premium system from Harman Kardon. It comes with no less than 12 high-performance speakers and 700W amplifier to provide an immersive sound experience for every occupant in the cabin. There is also a haptic-touch air conditioner control that is simple and intuitive to use.
There are 5 colours choices – Scale Silver, Aquamarine Blue, Manganese Grey, Deep Black and Oryx White – for the latest Passat R-Line. Sharp-eyed Volkswagen fans will spot the new brand logo on the grille and rear end. It is the second model with this new logo.
“The Passat is built on a successful combination of class and performance, which makes it the sedan of choice for the sophisticated both globally and locally. We have retained the unique features of the Passat R-Line but fine-tuned its performance so that it becomes an ideal partner for the discerning driver,” said Erik Winter, Managing Director of Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia.
Each new Passat comes with 3 years of free scheduled maintenance, a 5-year unlimited mileage warranty, and complimentary roadside assistance for the first 5 years. To locate an authorised Volkswagen showroom in Malaysia to view the range of models available, visit www.volkswagen.com.my.
In line with the National Recovery Plan and the latest list of permitted activities and businesses, most authorised Volkswagen showrooms in Malaysia have resumed operations. However, those located in Melaka, Johor, Kedah, Pahang, and Kelantan are still awaiting approval to operate.
To ensure the health and safety of both visitors and employees, all the showrooms will adhere to strict Government guidelines and #SafeHands measures. These include MySejahtera registration and temperature scans, mandatory facemask usage, regular sanitisation of showrooms and display cars, and others specified in the Standard Operating Procedures.
Whether visiting the showroom or service, all visitors must follow the Standard Operating procedures which now include the requirement for full vaccination.
Must be fully vaccinated
Only fully vaccinated visitors are allowed, and they should have completed no less than 14 or 28 days (depending on the vaccine taken) after receiving their vaccination. Visitors are encouraged to make an appointment prior to their visits by contacting their preferred Volkswagen dealer whether to the showroom or service centre.
“The closure of showrooms in the past months affected our business performance, but we look forward to seeing the industry reopen and move forward, together with the support of our dealers,” said Managing Director of VPCM, Erik Winter, who welcomes the government’s decision to reopen sales and manufacturing operations.
Use Volkswagen’s online channel to buy Volkswagen’s global bestseller in August and you can save extra money.
Special offers for Merdeka month
In conjunction with the reopening of showrooms and the upcoming Merdeka holiday, authorised Volkswagen dealers will be hosting a virtual showroom event on their social media channels this August 27 – 31. As part of the celebration, Volkswagen is offering exclusive online savings of RM4,500 on the Tiguan Allspace Highline and RM7,500 on the Passat R-Line until August 31, 2021. Remember that there are additional savings as sales tax is exempted until the end of this year.
For information on the Volkswagen product range and locations of dealers in Malaysia, visit www.volkswagen.com.my.
As with other car companies these days, Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has to use online media to launch its new products and today, it officially introduced the new Volkswagen Arteon R-Line 4MOTION. Assembled locally, the 4-door fastback is priced from RM247,671 without insurance and with full sales tax exempted (until the end of 2021).
Facelifted version
The Arteon, as flagship of the Volkswagen range in Malaysia, has been in the market since 2020 and the one launched today has the cosmetic changes of the updated model that made its global debut last June. Besides the exclusivity and sportiness that the R-Line package adds, the new model also comes very extensively equipped with high-tech and premium features as standard.
These include a full-LED headlight system with Dynamic Cornering Lights while the LED 3D rear taillights have sequential turn signals. The driver’s seat has 14-way adjustment while the luxurious ambience can be personalised with a selection of 30 colours (of adjustable intensity) for ambient illumination.
New, more powerful engine
Under the bonnet, the powertrain is a new and more powerful one. While being similarly turbocharged and having a 2-litre displacement, the EA888 TSI engine in the latest Arteon produce 280 ps with 350 Nm of torque available between 1,700 and 5,600 rpm. These numbers are 70 ps and 30 Nm more than before and still flow through a 7-speed DSG wet dual-clutch transmission. The claimed acceleration time is 5.6 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h, with fuel consumption said to be up to 13.5 kms/litre.
All-wheel drive with 4MOTION
What’s significant for the new model is that the power goes to all four wheels, instead of just those at the front. The system enabling this is 4Motion, Volkswagen’s all-wheel drive (AWD) system. While many people may think that AWD is only good for off-road driving, it is actually useful on the road too.
With all 4 wheels powered, traction is improved and this will be appreciated on wet or slippery roads. Acceleration can also be improved and grip during cornering is also better. Of course, the Laws of Physics still apply so having 4MOTION doesn’t mean that you can drive around a corner faster than the capability of the tyres to grip the road.
AWD systems like 4MOTION have ‘intelligence’, sending power to whichever wheel needs it at any given moment. If it senses a wheel starting to spin, the system cuts the power going to that wheel and sends more power to whichever of the other wheels can best use it. Because it all happens automatically, the driver can focus on driving.
The 4MOTION system in the Arteon R-Line is one of two versions which Volkswagen developed. In Arteon application, because the engine is mounted transversely, an electro-hydraulic Haldex coupling is used whereas the other version for models like the Touareg SUV employ a mechanical Torsen centre differential to distribute power to the front and rear wheels. This is because of the engine being installed in a longitudinal orientation.
Power delivery is on an infinitely variable basis by a multi-plate clutch. Normally, power is mainly transmitted to the front axle, which saves energy. However, in the event of an impending loss of traction, the rear axle is activated in a fraction of a second. The distribution of power to all four wheels becomes active before wheelspin occurs, rather than being reactive. A loss of traction is therefore virtually excluded. However, should any wheel slip occur, power is immediately transmitted to the wheels where it is needed. An Electronic Different Lock also helps to improve traction and reduce understeer.
Dynamic Chassis Control, which is standard, has up to 15 selectable increments which are varied using the adaptive dampers. There are also 5 different driving modes (Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport and Individual) so driving preferences can be personalized.
Extensive safety features but no AEB
In the area of safety, Volkswagen has always made sure that its customers get the best possible protection and as the flagship model, the Arteon has an extensive list of safety systems to help the driver avoid accidents. These driver assistance systems include Lane Assist, Side Assist, Driver Alert, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. There’s also a 360° Area View system which let’s the driver see all around the car not only for precise parking but also to spot hazards. The display is customisable to full or split views.
If an accident does occur, there’s a Post-Collision Braking System which prevents a second collision (if the car is propelled uncontrollably), and an Intelligent Crash Response System that activates to cut fuel supply, switch on hazard lights and unlock the doors to enable rescuers to get to the occupants.
The usual active safety systems like ABS with Brake Assist and Electronic Stability Control are also present but it is rather surprising to find Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) not available. This system activates to automatically apply the brakes if the driver does not do so when a collision is likely to occur. According to VPCM’s Managing Director, Erik Winter, AEB is available for the Arteon but the system is still undergoing tests in Malaysian conditions so it is not being installed yet.
However, while AEB is not present for now, there is something called Maneuver Braking which is active from around 1.5 km/h up to 10 km/h. It is active during reversing as well as moving forward, so it is effective during parking and prevents bumping into a wall or another vehicle. The Maneuver Braking system is basically an extension of the Park Distance Control system which has been around for a long time.
Arteon drivers will also be alerted to reduced pressures in the tyres by the Tyre Pressure Monitoring System. Once the normal pressures are set, any significant change will be noticed so the driver will not drive too far on an under-inflated tyre and damage it.
Interior with R-Line silver trim
The spacious cabin of the Arteon with R-Line silver trim has EgoComfort seats which are handsomely sculpted and upholstered in Nappa Carbon leather. The seats are structured for comfort and reduced fatigue on long journeys and for the driver, there are up to 14 adjustment options as well as a massage function. The ambient lighting has a choice of 30 colours with adjustable intensity to match just about any mood.
The high-resolution 11.7-inch Digital Cockpit not only shows the usual information like road and engine speeds but can also have a navigation map overlaid across the instrument panel. The display is customizable with 6 views for over 30 combinations, including 2D and 3D navigation.
The 9.2-inch Discover Pro infotainment system comes with voice and gesture control and supports wireless App-Connect to Apple Car Play and Android Auto. Besides using the touchscreen, the driver can also go handsfree and use voice commands or switches on the steering wheel.
Going with the flagship status of the model is the premium Harman Kardon sound system which has 12 speakers (11 speakers plus an additional centre one). The speaker grilles are crafted from ultra-thin 0.5 mm high-strength steel to support optimal acoustic performance. The 700W digital sound system employs a 16-channel digital amplifier with surround sound that can be enhanced by pre-determined acoustic settings – PURE, CHILL OUT, LIVE and ENERGY.
Trade-up offer
VPCM has a Trade-Up campaign for existing owners of the Touran, Cross Touran, Sharan, Passat CC and Passat (B7) who want to buy a new Volkswagen. With this campaign, owners will be able to enjoy an additional RM3,000 in trade-in value for all models currently on sale, including the all-new Arteon R-Line. While the present FMCO conditions do not allow for showroom visits, bookings for the new Arteon (as well as other models) can be made via the Volkswagen eShowroom which is always accessible from a smartphone or computer. For more information, visit www.volkswagen.com.my.
How do you judge a car in just three or four days?
There really isn’t much you can say about it other than the way it drives, how the interior feels, and the overall efficiency.
That is the issue with motoring journalism in Malaysia.
So the best way to properly understand a car is to look into a forum where other owners share their experience.
Or to drive a somewhat high mileage car that has been properly used and abused by other members of the Malaysian motoring fraternity.
Which is what I did when Volkswagen Malaysia handed me a car with a little over 10,000km on the odo.
There is no doubt that the Volkswagen Arteon is one the best looking car of its segment.
It created waves when it was first introduced to the world, and it still turns heads today.
At about RM220,000, it seems a better buy than the established competition; the BMW 3-Series, the Mercedes C-Class and the Audi A4.
It is a lot bigger than the competition and a lot more spacious.
And surprisingly offers more creature comforts, though it does not offer as much safety tech as the other Germans.
And that is what makes it fall short of being utterly perfect.
But then again, the Arteon also has held up surprisingly well after 10,000km in the hands of motoring journos.
Of course the cars are fully refurbished before being passed from one journo to another, but there are things that simply cannot be done so quickly.
Such as seat bolstering, faded plastics, buttons that become undone and surfaces that are easily scratched such as the door sills.
I found none of that in this Arteon.
What I did find though is that in the 5-6 days that I had the car, the entertainment system failed on me, once!
This was when I wanted to switch from the Apple CarPlay, to which I was connected to wirelessly, to a regular radio station.
I had Google Maps running (not a fan of Waze) and perhaps the onboard processor had too much.
The system then wouldn’t respond for a couple of minutes, and then it went blank for another couple of minutes.
Shortly after it restarted and was fine for the rest of my drive time.
Just tech being tech, I guess.
But other than that though, I have nothing but praises.
I loved the spaciousness of the Arteon.
For the first time ever, I did not need to move the front passenger seat forwards to accommodate my kid’s rear facing car seat.
The 563 litre booth accommodated everything you need to manage a child over a weekend, plus groceries, plus the wife’s bags, and then some.
Just for reference, the booth is slightly smaller than that of the Passat, but yet is bigger than the 4-Series and the Audi A5 Sportback.
The entertainment system, despite that one issue I experienced with it, was impressive with a 700W 12-speaker DynAudio sound system.
Metallica’s S&M album never sounded so good in a mid-segment passenger car.
The wireless Apple CarPlay connectivity is truly god sent, and something Mercedes-Benz and BMW should take a card from.
However, I do feel the engine does not do justice to the car’s good looks.
The 2.0-litre engine produces just 187hp and 320Nm of torque.
But for those with a need for speed, there is the Arteon R that produce over 300hp.
But it has never been officially offered in Malaysia save for that one time Volkswagen showcased a demo car to gauge public interest.
That didn’t go too well since it would have costed over RM300,000.
But the one great thing that the standard Arteon does incredibly well is fuel efficiency.
I did about 550km during my drive and still had about a quarter tank left when it came time to return the car.
Volkswagen also claims that the Arteon needs just 6.3 litres of fuel to travel 100km on the combined cycle.
And this technically means that in an ideal scenario, the Arteon can travel 1000km with its 66-litre tank. This does depend on how heavy your right foot is though.
Despite its frugal nature, the Arteon also offers the usual array of Drive Modes that make the car sharper or comfortable, all at the touch of a button.
This either stiffens or softens the suspension, adjusts the steering wheel and the accelerator according to the selected drive mode as well.
This did lead to a more interesting drive in Sport mode as the car generally felt more eager.
Even after 10,000km of being driven by people determined to bring out the worst in the car, yours truly included, the Arteon has been steadfast.
The interior is always the first place that wear and tear sets in, and is not easy nor cheap to restore, and despite that the interior of this Arteon has held well.
The powertrain too has proven to the naysayers that Volkswagen has left its old engine and gearbox issues firmly in the past.
And for if you regularly maintain it with care, then there shouldn’t be any issues.
If you do buy brand new, the entire ownership experience is made better with a five-year warranty and a three-year free maintenance program.
Also, it is also worth noting that the new 2021 Volkswagen Arteon is due to be launched in Malaysia real soon.
This means prices of the current Arteon will drop, making it an incredibly good buy in the used car market.
If you can look past the lack of power and appreciate the overall design and the efficiency of the car, then the Arteon would be well worth considering.
Especially when compared to the old guards from Germany.
The Volkswagen Arteon is priced at RM221,065.28 excluding insurance.
Do you live in an urban area with mad traffic? Somewhere like KL, Penang or even JB? Do you work long hours at the office and take pride in working overtime? Perhaps you have spent years and years of your life working up the corporate ladder and now you are almost at the top.
Your family life is near perfect. Kids are in school, your trophy wife is dedicated to ensuring the home always remains comfortable and the kids balance their time between work and play.
And now it has come time to reward yourself.
But you are a price conscious man. You do not want to spend too much money on a car that takes you to work and home and back to your parents home in a town three to four hours away every three to four months away. But we are talking about a Volkswagen here, so you can accept a little bit of depreciation.
Or maybe you are none of the above and just want a nice car to go about your daily business then. It does not matter what category you fall into, or if there is even a category to define you.
Lets then talk about the Volkswagen Passat R-Line – a car so fine that you won’t mind spending hours stuck in traffic in it. And yet it falls short of being perfect.
What we love about it:
Design
The design of the Passat has come a long way. Even without the R-line kit the Passat is already a handsome car, but the R-line kit simply accentuates its good looks and adds a dash of sportiness to it. The R-line gives you bigger, sportier wheels, sports bumpers, a sportier steering wheel, Nappa leather upholstery, and a lot more inside and outside the car, but it does not add more power and add any electronic gizmo. Everything else remains the same.
We particularly loved it in white and as the saying goes, if you don’t look back at your car after parking it, you bought the wrong car. The Passat R-line had us looking back at it a lot, and we think you will too.
Interior
The interior is spacious and comfortable. The drivers seat is adjustable in 14 different ways, so it is impossible to not get comfortable in it.
We particularly appreciate how well built everything feels, and though it does not exude luxury and opulence, it is a great place to be in. When compared to the competition in its segment especially the current throne-sitters like the Camry and Accord, the Passat and its European build and style makes it feel as if it were a bargain at a little under RM205,000.
And yes, it is more expensive than its segment competitors and price-wise at least, it deserves to be put up against the likes of the BMW 3-Series, Mercedes C-Class and the Audi A4. And even then it would still seem like a bargain as you get so much more living space for a lot cheaper.
If you don’t mind the badge, then the Passat offers a lot more value for money than its Euro rivals. And if you don’t mind spending a little more than the Asians, you will love the interior ambiance and comforts.
Technology
During the entire review period, the Passat appealed to the techie in us. Whether it was the digital meter panel or the eight speaker sound system, or the armada of safety technologies, the Passat has plenty of tech to offer.
The Wireless App-Connect smartphone connectivity in particular was shockingly easy to use. The iPhone connected to the onboard Apple CarPlay quickly and drama free, and most importantly, wirelessly. It was perfect and for those of you who suffer from cable-anxiety where you have to carry cables everywhere, this tech is God sent. Sadly, this tech is only available for Apple iPhone users, Android users will still need to suffer the inelegance of carrying cables around.
The drive mode selector too is just two quick dabs of a button away – touch the Drive Mode button located by the gear shifter and then touch the 9.2-inch screen to select your preferred mode. The Passat R-line has five driving modes – Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport and Individual, which lets you adjust things like steering wheel heft, accelerator pedal sensitivity and gear shift speed. Because the Passat also comes with Dynamic Chassis Control, you can also adjust how comfortable the car feels, a plush for those highways cruises, and hard suspension for when you feel like attacking corners and for ultimate chassis and suspension response.
Power and Economy
We hear the groans, yes we know 190PS (187hp) and 320Nm of torque does not warrant us talking about power, but it honestly feels good enough in the Passat.
Keep in mind that this is a car that has been designed for comfort and safety for the family. Yes this is a family man’s car, and we beg of you not to kit it up with a spoiler and loud ‘wannabe’ akrapovic exhaust kit, because that will just make you look stupid and the car is not designed for this (yes, there actually are people that do such things to a Passat).
The Passat R-line is designed for the daily grind, and that’s what it does best – to keep you comfortable and to keep your money in your wallet and not poured into the fuel tank. Volkswagen Malaysia says the Passat R-line needs just 6.5 litres of fuel for every 100km, real world figures suggest something along those lines and up to 7.6 litres for every 100km when you’re not flooring the right pedal all the time. But we do believe their claim that the Passat is capable of 1,000km per tank. Of course this depends on your driving style, but if you keep your right foot on a leash, those figures are achievable.
All-round daily runner
This is what we love the Passat for, a no-nonsense, fuss-free, comfortable, loving car. It has everything you will want in a car and has it all packaged handsomely. It is a car that you can drive to the office and to impress your clients and to show that you are a person with taste yet don’t want to spend silly money on a car that ultimately does not give you back as much. It is also a car that your family will love and will also ultimately impress the cousins and kampung folks with its good looks.
But there are also things that we don’t quite like, such as ….
Road Noise
The 19-inch wheels wrapped in Pirelli Cinturato P7 (235/40 R19) rubbers are good in the wet and have decent dry weather handling, but are extremely noisy at highway speed. And this noise creeps back into the cabin to the point where you actually have to raise your voice significantly to have a conversation. This can get irritating and uncomfortable at highway speed. It is particularly annoying when you have to make and accept phone calls, hands free of course.
Confusing entertainment system and a screen that loves fingerprints
As great as the entertainment system is, we suspect that non-tech inclined drivers and passengers will find the onboard systems a little confusing to use. There is no doubt that the systems are especially friendly towards iPhone users (no complains there for this iPhone user), but the entire Discover Pro entertainment system requires a little getting used.
As for the screen that too easily smudges, this irritates the neat freak in us because the screen somehow does not cope very well with all that fingering around. After a day’s driving, the screen is full of smudges. Of course there is a way around it and that is to visit your favourite accessories story and to install a screen protector. It is not a deal breaker, but still very irritating.
Uninspiring dashboard
Yes yes we were raving about how well built the interior feels and all that jazz, but if you are artistically inclined the design of the dashboard may leave you longing for more. Of course less is always more, and the overall interior quality feels great, but as far as exciting interior designs go, the dash of the Passat will perhaps leave you longing for more after a while.
All in all …
There is little not to love about the Volkswagen Passat, especially in R-line trim. It may be pricey especially when compared to the Japanese rivals, but you get good value for money. There are plenty of complaints about Volkswagen and retaining its used car prices, but we are firm believers in living in the moment and worrying about the future when the time comes, so if you want a car that looks good and makes you feel great as well, then the Passat R-line checks all the boxes.
And for those concerned about owning a Volkswagen, the company has heard of such concerns and now offers a 5 year unlimited mileage warranty, 3 year free maintenance as well as 5 year free roadside assistance. Talk about drama free ownership.
To know more about promotions at BHPetrol stations, visit www.bhpetrol.com.my.
Once again, the Movement Control Order (MCO) is in force, and businesses have to adjust to stricter conditions. However, this time round, there isn’t a total shutdown in the economic sector and where the auto industry is concerned, outlets and service centres can remain open. However, owners are limited by a 10-km range from their house during the MCO period.
Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) confirms that all its authorized dealerships and service centres remain operational nationwide. Owners are advised to book their service appointments online here.
Safe Hands initiative
The Volkswagen service centres follow strict guidelines under the ‘Safe Hands’ initiative, which includes contactless vehicle acceptance, video walkthroughs, sanitisation before and after service, cashless payments with e-invoicing and contactless car collection/return.
Additionally, in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures, stringent hygiene processes are followed, including regular sanitising of premises and vehicles, proper safety screenings, MySejahtera app check-ins and temperature checks.
Complimentary home delivery
Those who are shopping for a new Volkswagen can do so from home. They can obtain information at the Volkswagen eShowroom which is open 24 hours. Special deals are offered when booking online and home delivery serviceof the new vehicle is complimentary (within a 20-km radius from the preferred dealership).
The Roadside Assistance service that is enjoyed by owners also remains operational, although owners should not be travelling much at this time. Nevertheless, it would be a welcome service if the vehicle battery dies while it is parked at home.
For more information, visit www.volkswagen.com.my or contact any authorised Volkswagen dealership.
Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) and local denim streetwear brand Tarik Jeans have launched the second instalment of an exclusively-designed capsule collection – Modern Nostalgia Pt.2. The collaboration, which kicked-off earlier this year, has the objective of raising funds and awareness for the endangered Malayan Tapir.
Similar to the first instalment, Modern Nostalgia Pt.2 is a limited-run capsule collection. While the first collection featured Volkswagen models combined with Tarik’s local vintage design elements, the more premium Modern Nostalgia Pt.2 draws its inspiration from the raw, rugged and hands-on workshop life.
Volkswagen racing heritage and spirit
The new designs shift gears to capture Volkswagen’s racing heritage and spirit whilst incorporating performance-themed colours that will appeal to motorheads and car enthusiasts. Modern Nostalgia Pt. 2 comprises a variety of high-quality apparels such as denim jackets that retail at RM259, work shirts at RM159 and t-shirts at RM79.
“VPCM is proud to be able to play a part in Malaysia to make a difference, and while the COVID-19 outbreak had unfortunately affected the timeline of the campaign, we remain committed to the project. Together with our friends at Tarik Jeans, I firmly believe in the success of this campaign, and I would like to urge fans of the Volkswagen and Tarik brands to make that purchase for a good cause,” said Erik Winter, Managing Director of VPCM.
He added that sustainability and conservation is a key pillar for Volkswagen, with the brand already investing heavily in reforestation projects around the world.
Merchandise from the complete collection can be purchased on Tarik Jeans’ website, Shopee and Zalora. 50% of all proceeds generated from the sales of this campaign will be donated to the Kenaboi Forest Reserve in Negeri Sembilan on World Tapir Day on April 27, 2021.
About the Malayan Tapir
The Malayan tapir is the only Asian species native to the island of Sumatra, Peninsular Malaysia and Southern Thailand with a distinctive coat pattern. The tapir has a lifespan of up to 30 years, but agricultural developments and deforestation, being hunted for food and sport and illegal animal trafficking have resulted in an alarming decrease in their numbers. It is estimated that there are only less than 3,000 of them left.
There was a time when the Volkswagen Golf was the de facto go to car if you wanted something cheap and reliable as your daily runner.
Today though, the Golf is far from cheap (in Malaysia at least), but for some, it is still the ideal day to day companion.
Price & Competition:
At RM178,110, this Golf 1.4 TSI R-Line with Sound & Style package is punching above its weight; it is up against some of the finest from Europe and Japan.
Take the new Mazda CX-5 Turbo for example, it offers more living room, more power and comes with the decades old seal of Japanese reliability. A seal trusted by many.
Then there is the BMW 1-Series, the entry-level pawn to the world of Bavarian motoring. The Golf may better in some aspects, but let’s face it, in Malaysia, a BMW holds a lot more bling-factor than VW when arriving at a family dinner party. That’s just how we roll.
What is it like?
There are many other great options in the market too that would happily thumb their nose at the VW. So, what’s the case for the Golf then?
A lot actually. As I found out after a couple of days with one.
I like its size for one. It makes it easier to “kung-fu” your way around traffic jams and snug into parking lots.
I also like the interior and its fine quality, decent leg and shoulder space. Maybe not for the rear passengers though as it can get quite cramped back there.
It is also surprisingly quiet at all speeds, something that I think is extremely important in modern cars. Find a car with great insulation and you will be one step closer to finding the perfect car.
What we like about it:
Features like cruise control are nifty to have, but it is features like a Speed Limiter that make my list of must haves in a car. Why? Well, I spend a significant amount of time on highways, and I sometimes involuntarily creep into speeds that will amuse the “pak ciks” sitting beneath the overhead passes. They have sent me a couple of letters telling me how they are such big fans of my speeding habits.
These days I prefer to set the limit and just let my mind wander. Speed guns have nothing on a car with a speed limiter.
Friends say I’m getting dull, but I have come to appreciate regular, negligible features such as an auto dimming rear view mirror, rear air-conditioning vents, dual-zone temperature control. In fact I appreciate these features so much that anything lesser just doesn’t cut it anymore.
And there’s also features like the app-connect smartphone connectivity that launches either the Apple CarPlay or Android Auto applications, depending on which part of the never ending apple vs android war you are aligned to.
You access these apps via a 12.3-inch high-definition touch screen display that seems more like an on-board computer screen than an entertainment unit. Which is a good thing, simply because you spend so much time in a car that entertainment and the way you access it is important. You could have 500hp under your right foot, but when you’re stuck in traffic all that power is useless. A good entertainment system though goes a long way, traffic or not.
And this particular model with its sound and style package has quite a bit of entertainment to offer since it comes with a 300W Helix sound bar placed in the booth (seen below). This gives you rich bass that wouldn’t be out of place in a Dr Dre rap video, and makes you want to take the long way home since you would probably want to spend more time with your 90s hip-hop playlist.
The package also gives you aluminium sports pedal and side scuff plates, but the sound bar is easily the coolest part about this package. If you don’t mind the RM4,000 premium over the standard golf and don’t mind sacrificing some space in the booth, spend on the Sound & Style package.
Engine, Power and Performance:
When it comes to driving it, the Golf offers a plush ride, dull but precise handling and an aura that matches its expensive price tag. Of course not as indulging as its elder siblings, the GTI or the R, but there’s always a little hint that it wants to play behind all that vanilla character. Perhaps it is the R-line specific design with the rear spoiler, sill extension and 17-inch wheels, or perhaps it is the way it holds on to its gears in Sport mode, and lets you ride the wall of torque just the way a classic hot hatch would. Either way, there is a fun side to the Golf, but it runs out of breath pretty quickly.
That’s not to say that it is a sports car on a budget since the 1.4-litre TSI engine only makes 150PS (147hp) and 250Nm of torque. But to make it feel sportier than it really is, it offers three driving modes – Sports, Normal and Eco – and another called Individual that lets you customize how the steering feels, how quickly the throttle responds to your foot and how quickly the seven gears shift. It doesn’t do anything to the suspension though, so you could ask the car to be at its sportiest, but you can’t do anything about its softish suspension, which kinda takes the fun away.
Sportiness may not be part of this Golf though, but fuel economy definitely is. It’s 50-litre tank capable of taking you past the 600km mark depending on whether you tickled the pedal or consistently stomp the hell out it.
Should you buy it?
So why isn’t such a well-sorted car enjoying brisk-er sales in Malaysia?
When it comes to the asking price, the Golf sits in a rather awkward position. It sits in a spot where buyers who have the money are willing to pay the RM50,000 or so for a Mercedes-Benz or a BMW. Because that amount translates to just a few hundred Ringgit in monthly installments and just a few thousand more in downpayment. So why the hell not?
But that’s probably the only case against the Golf considering there really isn’t much not to like.
You could argue that its rather expensive for a hatchback, but that would be missing the point of a modern Golf. It may have been go-to car for cheap and cheerful cars once upon a time ago, but the Golf has grown up to be one that pampers and indulges your senses in a way only a continental car can. And that means forking out more money.
But then again, if you don’t give a damn about the brand like some of us and would get a Golf because you like well-engineered cars, I’d say hold back a little longer and go for the complete package instead – the GTI. That’s where things get serious very quickly.
The current premium SUV market here in Malaysia is currently higher than ever with many offerings from different manufacturers. With so many Malaysians looking into upgrading their present lifestyles, SUVs seem to be the popular go-to option and Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has its feet deep within this game thanks to their popular 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan 1.4TSI Highline. (more…)
Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) is going strong with the Merdeka celebrations and to make things even better, they are now offering RM2,000 rebates for the Volkswagen Golf R and GTI, two of the hottest hatchbacks here in good ol’ Malaysia. (more…)
