Gol 2018: How can the new generation of the compact Volkswagen

The Volkswagen Gol 2017 was presented recently in Brazil. The compact of the German mark 35 years of market and has sold more than 6.7 million. Still made on the modified PQ24 platform, the model changed in the headlights, taillights, rear details and bumpers, plus a more modern dashboard.

In addition, Gol 2017 also won multimedia with Car Play, Auto Android and MirrorLink. Finally, the EA211 1.0 12V Flex engine up to 82 hp replaced the old EA111 1.0 8V. Another option is that engine, but 1.6 liter and up to 104 hp. The exchange is manual or automated ASG.

Simplified line in 2017 to seek customers lost to competition, including Chevrolet Onix and Hyundai HB20, the Volkswagen Gol should change platform around 2018. It will be the MQB A0, a smaller variant of that used today in Golf. But what to expect of this new Gol?

Style

As we have seen in Gol 2017, the compact style has changed more in the front, taking a closer look of the Golf, notably the GTI. The back was full-bodied with new taillights, larger. In the next generation, the hatch can come with more space, higher in wheelbase and width.

The New Gol 2018 will also be lighter, as characteristic of the MQB, thus using more steel and ultra high strength. In the visual, it must appear more sophisticated, but not much beyond that, it needs to cut costs. daytime LEDs can be entered, but the commitment must be to deliver a more restrained model in order to stay competitive.

Technology

Because of the cost savings, the new Gol 2018 should not add many technological items. We can expect power steering, rear suspension torsion beam similar to Fox, traction and stability controls, starting assistant ramp and perhaps a version with Start & Stop. The focus on safety will be a significant item, even more that by 2018, the ESC may become mandatory in the country. It is expected ... Still, dual airbags must remain as the only option.

In mechanics, technological developments provided by Inovar-Auto - already completed in 2018 - is still not comparable to Europe. So besides the 1.0 12V Flex 82 hp, we expect the long-awaited 1.0 TSI Flex with up to 105 hp. ASG automated box must remain to keep the costs or, at best, and also because of the rivals, be replaced by the Tiptronic six-speed.

Such technologies are already present in Volkswagen Brazil and there would be no innovation to take Gol 2018 costs to the heights. Further, if a Inovar-Auto II require more energy efficiency, the 1.0 12V would be 1.0 TSI Flex with the same powers, but with much higher torque at low rpm, and direct fuel injection. But that would be beyond 2020, certainly.

Marketplace

The New Gol 2018 will be part of a new family of compact A0 MQB of Volkswagen in Brazil. In addition to the hatch, the range must still rely on the Voyage sedan as well as the Saveiro pickup, whose size can greatly increase over the current model. The fourth member can be a compact SUV, whose concept VW will present in Geneva in March.

However, we can not forget the Fox, whose sales are significant and is of course a strong candidate to have MQB A0, further to divide the assembly line with the Golf, although still carry the PQ24. Instead of SpaceFox station wagon, global compact SUV VW could add to the lineup, but with measures based on the MQB of the Golf, which will be the basis of future crossover.

In the case of Gol 2018, this rereading must be more consistent in the face of rivals, although Volkswagen's pricing policy will make a huge difference in the Brazilian market. Currently, the model had 2.5% reduction in prices, and 5.7% in the Voyage, which lost more market in recent years.

With the up! in the range of input, the hatch will continue as an intermediary, and the Fox as a compact premium in the new generation. In the case of Voyage, the presence of the New Santana, who is supposed to arrive in 2017, may hinder their future. If the Chinese sedan arrives, it will only take 1.6-liter 16v Flex to 120 hp, working well as a link between Voyage and Jetta.

Regarding the Saveiro, light truck Volkswagen could increase in size and gain double cabin with four doors, in order to also compete with Renault Duster Oroch and Fiat Toro. The question would be, in this case, would be the use of all-wheel drive, since the pickup of the French brand to receive this item very soon.