Volkswagen Golf Mk5


The Volkswagen Golf Mk5 is a compact car, the fifth generation of the Volkswagen Golf and the successor to the Volkswagen Golf Mk4. Built on the Volkswagen Group A5 platform, it was unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in October 2003 and went on sale in Europe one month later. A compact MPV version of the car was produced as the Golf Plus.
The Golf Mk5 was replaced in 2009 by the Volkswagen Golf Mk6.

Features

Design

The fifth generation had revised suspension changes and chassis tuning and increased cargo volume corresponding to a minor increase in size over the outgoing model. Its cargo volume is roughly more. The Mk5 was however criticized for its interior and dashboard materials, which were noticeably cheaper in appearance than the outgoing Mk4 - this decision was rumored to be a deliberate act on Volkswagen's part to create a distinction in the marketplace from the Mk5's considerably more expensive Audi A3 sister, although this decision was largely reversed for the Mk6 some years later when the premium materials familiar from the Mk4 were reintroduced.
Its replacement, the Mk6, was moved forward from the previously stated 2009 in Europe to the autumn of 2008, right after its official premiere at the Paris Motor Show in September 2008.

Powertrain

Options for engines and transmissions vary from country to country, but the Golf Mk5 is available with 4-cylinder, 5-cylinder, and 6-cylinder petrol engines, and a new Pumpe Duse unit injector Turbocharged Direct Injection diesel engine. Transmission options include manual, automatic, Tiptronic, and Direct-Shift Gearbox.
The GTI comes with VW's 4-cylinder 2.0L Turbo Fuel Stratified Injection which makes and torque. Transmissions include a 6-speed manual or 6-speed DSG.
In September 2005, the Golf Mk5 GT was announced, which featured a choice of either 1.4 L petrol engine in twincharger configuration, or a 2.0 litre TDI. Both are available as versions; while the diesel also is available as a variant in the UK. The diesel has of torque, which is more than the range topping R32.
The new Twincharger petrol engine uses Fuel Stratified Injection, along with a pair of chargers forcing the induction of the air. The chargers are a single supercharger that disengages after a specified rev-range, at which point charging of the air is handled by a single turbocharger. This system benefits from the pumping efficiency of the supercharger at lower revs and the fuel efficiency of the turbocharger at high revs. This results in more constant power delivery through the rev range, and better fuel efficiency. Both petrol and diesel versions are also available with DSG. Performance figures for the petrol vehicle are 0- in 6.9s and 6.9s, with the diesel taking 8.2s, and both reaching top speed of.

Options in US and Canada

and Canada base specification Rabbits use the same 2.5L five-cylinder gasoline engine that powers the Jetta and New Beetle in these markets, making and in 2006-2007 models, and and from 2008 onward. North American transmission choices include a 5-speed manual or 6-speed automatic with Tiptronic for the Rabbit. Diesel engines have been unavailable on Rabbits, though they were offered through 2006 on the Jetta until tightening emissions regulations in the U.S. led to their temporary unavailability.
Volkswagen has no plans to sell the GT version in the US or Canada, though the VR6-powered R32 range-topping model was available.

Models

Mk5 Jetta

Volkswagen marketed the three-box sedan variant of the Mk5 Golf in 2004, as the Jetta in North America and Europe, replacing the "Bora" name of the previous Mk320 Golf saloon. The Jetta name was also introduced to Australia with the Mk5.
As with its predecessor the Mk5 Jetta features unique front wings, front doors and rear doors, so the only external panel shared with the Golf hatchback is the bonnet. As with all Golf-based saloons, the Jetta features a unique chrome grille, and its GLI variant has the Golf GTI's front end. Front lights were now shared with the Golf.
In the US market, the Jetta outsells the Golf by a ratio of 4 to 1.

Volkswagen Eos

There was no Cabriolet version of the Golf Mk5, so the Volkswagen Eos coupé convertible was marketed as a separate model, and the New Beetle convertible makes a Golf Cabrio redundant. The Eos does not share body panels with any other Volkswagen model, although it is based on the A5 Golf/Jetta platform.

Mk5 Golf Wagon/Variant

The fifth generation estate car/wagon debuted at the International Geneva Motor Show and was marketed as the Golf Variant in the German domestic market and in North America as the Jetta Sportwagen. It was facelifted in late 2009, with changes including the front clip and interior from the sixth generation Golf, remaining based on the Golf Mk V, and was marketed as the Golf Wagon and Variant in the Canadian and Mexican market.

Golf Plus

In December 2004, Volkswagen announced the Golf Plus variant of the Golf Mk5. It is taller than the standard Golf, and shorter than the other compact MPV of the marque, the seven-seater Volkswagen Touran.
At the 2006 Paris Motor Show Volkswagen released the CrossGolf version, which is essentially a version of the Golf Plus with crossover-style body elements. It was developed by the Volkswagen Individual division, which also developed the Golf R32 and the Volkswagen CrossPolo. The CrossGolf is only available in front-wheel drive configuration, and is powered by two petrol engines, 1.6 and 1.4 TSI, and two diesel engines, 1.9 TDI and 2.0 TDI, with outputs ranging from to. In the UK this model is badged as "Golf Plus Dune" and sold with the 1.9 TDI outputting.
In December 2008, the facelifted version was revealed at the Bologna Motor Show, featuring a revised front end, more similar to the Volkswagen Golf Mk6, but retaining a largely similar design of the rear end and the interior.

Performance models

Mk5 GT

The Golf Mk5 GT features a choice of either 1.4 L petrol engine in twincharger configuration, a 2.0 litre TDI diesel engine or a 2.0 direct injection petrol engine. TSI petrol and diesels are available as versions. The 125kW diesel engine has 350 N·m of torque, which is more than the range topping R32. The petrol engined offering contains the new TSI engine, which is based on the recent Fuel Stratified Injection, but with a pair of chargers forcing the induction of the air. The chargers are a single supercharger that disengages after a specified rev-range, at which point charging of the air is handled by a single turbocharger. This system benefits from both of the efficiency of the supercharger in the lower rev ranges, with the longevity of the turbocharger higher in the rev range. This results in little turbo lag, constant power delivery along the rev range, and better fuel efficiency than similarly powered 2.4 L V6 engine due to its small size. However, the power delivery of the petrol TSI engine was criticised as being very jerky by Jeremy Clarkson.
In the UK the GT sport badge was marketed as offering both high power and low emissions, sparking some controversy. The diesel offers 156g/km and returns 47.9 mpg combined with the petrol equivalent offering 175g/km and 38.2 mpg respectively.
Both petrol and diesel versions are also available with Direct-Shift Gearbox. Performance figures for the petrol vehicle are 0- in 7.9 seconds and 7.7 seconds, with the diesel taking 8.2 seconds, and both reaching top speed of.
The Golf GT features the same brakes as the Golf GTI, with ventilated front discs, and solid rears. It has also lowered suspension, which lowers its centre of gravity, it borrows the GTI's suspension/damper settings, uses 7Jx17" "ClassiXs" alloy wheels fitted with wide 225/45 R17 tyres, and has twin exhaust outlets.

Mk5 GTI

The Golf GTI features a 2.0 litre turbocharged inline 4-cylinder petrol engine with Fuel Stratified Injection direct-injection technology, which produces 200PS. It is available in both 3-door and 5-door hatchback body shapes, and comes with a choice of either 6-speed manual or a 6-speed Direct-Shift Gearbox which greatly reduces shift time to only 8ms.
The concept GTI was first shown to the public at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2003. The first production model was initially unveiled at the Mondial de l'Automobile in Paris in September 2004, and went on sale around the world shortly thereafter. At the Los Angeles Auto Show in January 2006, the GTI made its long-awaited North American debut in 3-door guise, where it is marketed solely under the 'GTI' moniker, with no reference to the Rabbit. The new GTI has a considerable price increase over the previous model, mainly due to the features mentioned above, and the fact that the exterior itself had not seen such a dramatic design change in years. The price is further raised because it is built in Germany, unlike the Mk4 some of which were built in Brazil. The innovative DSG transmission and the TFSI engine all helped raise the retail price of the car. The Mk5 GTI was named 2007 Automobile of the Year by Automobile Magazine, in December 2006.
This generation marked the only generation in Canada to have the GTI as a separate nameplate rather than a trim of the Golf. When Volkswagen announced the revival of the Golf in the United States & Canada for the 2010 model year, Volkswagen reverted the GTI nameplate as a Golf trim, although the GTI remains a separate nameplate in the United States.
In Mexico, only a 3-door version of this GTI version was sold in 170 copies under a "Pirelli" limited edition with a 230 CV engine and only in a black colour, marking the temporary discontinuation of the Golf in Mexico until the sixth generation SportWagen was launched.

Mk5 R32

In September 2005, the Mk5 R32 went on sale in Europe. United Kingdom sales began in November that year. It features an updated 3.2-litre VR6 engine of that fitted to the previous Mk4 version, with an extra due to a reworked inlet manifold. Maximum power is now at 6,300 rpm; torque is unchanged at. It reaches an electronically governed top speed of. Going from 0 to will take 6.5 s, reduced to 6.2 s with the Direct-Shift Gearbox.
Compared with the previous Mk4 R32, it is 0.1 seconds faster for the manual version, while the newer R32 is about heavier. As with the previous R32; there is the Haldex Traction-based 4motion part-time four-wheel drive, now through 18" Zolder 20-spoke alloy wheels. Stopping the R32 comes in the form of blue-painted brake calipers with discs at the front and disks at the rear.
The Mk5 R32 was released in the US in August 2007 with a limited production run of 5000. Each R32 has its production number laser etched on its steering wheel.
In Chile, the Golf Mk5 was only offered in this model. Only the Brazilian-made Mk4 was sold.

Special editions

GTI Edition 30

Following Volkswagen's successful 20th anniversary edition GTI, and the 25th anniversary GTI models, Volkswagen marked the GTI's 30th anniversary by producing the GTI Edition 30.
Going on sale in November 2006 from £22,295 RRP, with an initial goal of a limited production run of only 1500, the Edition 30 was available in 6 colours; Tornado Red, Black, Candy White, Reflex Silver, Steel Grey and finally Diamond Black. Due to strong demand, 2280 cars were eventually built with a small continuing into the 2009 model year. The changes over the standard production model included a modified engine that produced an extra more than the standard version, raising the output to, giving rumour that it was faster in the dry and more powerful than the R32. Slight changes to the body work included body coloured side skirts and Votex front spoiler, colour-keyed rear bumper and tinted rear lights from the R32. Changes to the interior included a return for the golf ball shaped gear knob and silver "Edition 30" logo'd sill plates. Edition 30 seats were also decked out in the distinctive red stitching on 'Vienna' leather and 'Interlagos' fabric mix. Red stitching was also added to the leather-covered steering wheel. Finally, dependent on the market and the options available the Edition 30 was available with 18" BBS originated 'Pescara' alloy wheels, or black versions of the 18" 'Monza II' alloy wheels.
Performance was marginally improved: with 0- coming at 6.8 seconds, and a top speed of or .

Fahrenheit Edition

In October 2006, Volkswagen debuted a new Fahrenheit Edition of their GTI and GLI models at the Playboy Mansion. These new models were the first special-edition versions of the GTI and GLI made available in North America, and the first of the new models arrived in dealers in the early March 2007.
Fahrenheit models of the GTI were distinguished by their Magma Orange paint job, special Fahrenheit badging, a commemorative plate placed on the steering wheel, body-coloured interior panels, orange stitching on the DSG boot, steering wheel, park brake handle and floor mats, as well as special gunmetal-colored 18" "Charleston" wheels. The Fahrenheit also came with a European tuned suspension.
The Fahrenheit GTI was available with Volkswagen's DSG transmission or 6-speed manual. Only 1200 Fahrenheit GTI models in Magma Orange were produced for the US and 1200 GLIs in yellow. US pricing started at $27,665.

Speed Edition

The Golf Speed study, with its Lamborghini finish colors and many accessories has been causing a stir for months. It comes from young Volkswagen apprentices, who skillfully refined the Golf and with that not only convinced their supervisors. The response from drivers, that have seen the "orange speed" and "yellow speed" colored Golf-studies at trade shows, in the Car city and in the Potsdamer Platz in Berlin, was so overwhelming, that a limited edition of one hundred Golf yellow speed and Golf orange speed each is being manufactured.
Multicolor plays a main role: exclusive colors from our subsidiary Lamborghini ensure that the Golf yellow speed and Golf orange speed can be noticed as special members of the Golf family, even from far away. Four-color coats, applied by hand, ensure a one of a kind multi-faceted brilliance, which is particularly emphasized in the sunlight and from different angles.
Additionally, there are almost endless details: just like the Golf R32 the Golf Speed has an exhaust system with a double end pipe in the middle. In the front the shining chrome grille and chrome outside mirrors also stand out. The dynamic overall impression is underlined even more through the rear spoiler and the broadened body colored sillboards as well as the 18" alloy wheels.
The side and rear windows are tinted. The later is additionally cleaned, so for optical reasons the rear windshield wiper with spray nozzle was omitted. Just like with the R32, the rear lights are darker than in the series and stand out in a cherry red from the particular paint color.
The interior has a modified top sport seat system like the GTI, but here with seat covers made of leather and Alcantara. The exquisite leather decor is furnished with coordinated decor stitching, which guarantees an even more exclusive impression. Also taken from the GTI is the sport steering wheel in leather. Next to the decor stitching, the steering wheel clasp is a special eye-catcher, in the respective color the name yellow speed or orange speed as well as the exclusivity guaranteeing production number is engraved.
The black roof liner as well as the aluminum application in the instrument cluster, the footrest and the pedals round off the sporty-exquisite impression of the interior. Furthermore, on the technical side there are a sport chassis lowered by ca. 15 mm, fog lights and heatable front seats that come standard.
The Golf Speed is either powered by a 2,0-FSI-Aggregate FSI with 110 kW / 150 hp or the 2,0 TDI with 103 kW / 140 hp with 6-gear transmission. The turbo-diesel direct-fuel-injection can be ordered optional with the sporty double clutch system DSG.
Volkswagen offers a specialty for pick-up customers. You can see how the Golf Speed is made by hand. In the plant the clients are handed the steering wheel clasp with the corresponding number between 1 and 100. The engraved clasp is installed upon its delivery in the Autostadt, so when a Golf Speed receives its individual identification it is witnessed by its owner.

Pirelli Edition

This is a special edition GTI, developed by Volkswagen Individual. It was given the 230PS Edition 30 engine, instead of the 200PS in the standard Mk5 GTI. It is equipped with 225/40R18 Pirelli P-Zero tyres on titanium colored alloy wheels. It is available in 6-speed manual or an optional DSG gearbox.
It features leather sport seats in "San Remo" microfiber with embossed Pirelli tyre tread pattern down the centre. It also has yellow stitching on the seats, steering wheel and gear shift. There is also a Pirelli logo on the head restraints. The exterior and valences are painted sunflower yellow. Other colours are also available.

GTI W12-650

Volkswagen unveiled the GTI W12-650 at the GTI Festival in Wörthersee, Austria, in May 2007. It was designed as a concept car, and only one is known to exist. Unlike most concept cars, it is mechanically functional to the extent that it can be driven. Due to the rushed build time of the car, however, not all of its features function fully. The steering-wheel mounted paddle-shifters are not linked to the transmission, the hazard lights do not function, the stereo system doesn't work, and the heating and air-conditioning system of the car does not function due to the dashboard controls never being linked to the unit.
The car features a 6.0L W12 bi-turbo engine from the Bentley Continental GT delivering, of torque, 0- in 3.7 seconds, and a top speed of. The W12 differs from the standard GTI in several ways. It features 19-inch wheels that resembled the GTI's. It is lower and wider, the rear seats have been removed to accommodate the mid-engine design, and the roof is made from carbon-fibre composite, front brakes are from the Audi RS4, and rear brakes and axle are from a Lamborghini Gallardo. The W12-650 achieved a time of 1:29.6 on BBC Top Gear's Power Lap feature. Jeremy Clarkson showed that the car had some trouble with high-speed cornering but was extremely fast in the straight sections of the track.

Concepts

TDI Hybrid

A VW Golf TDI Hybrid concept was shown at the March 2008 Geneva Motor Show. The concept vehicle shown had a three-cylinder TDI engine - probably the 1.4 litre used in the Volkswagen Polo BlueMotion - mated to a electric motor, and a seven-speed double-clutch DSG transmission. The electric power system is a Nickel-metal hydride battery in the boot, and a regenerative braking system. An "energy monitor" display on the dashboard keeps tabs on what the powertrain is doing, and provides both a stop/start capability and a full-electric mode at low speed. The design also includes concepts introduced via BlueMotion, with smaller grill and thinner low-resistance tyres. According to Germany's Auto Bild, the car will get 69.9 mpg, and emit 90 g/km of carbon dioxide, less than the 104 g/km emitted by the Toyota Prius and 116 emitted by the Honda Civic Hybrid. The TDI Hybrid was expected to be marketed in Europe from mid-2009.

Twin Drive

VW CEO Martin Winterkorn announced Volkswagen Golf Twin Drive plug-in hybrid vehicle based on Mark V Golf, which uses 2.0L turbodiesel and electric motor with lithium-ion batteries. The car could run about 50 kilometres on battery power. The combined power was.
Volkswagen never developed the Twin Drive system for the Golf. It was planned to be developed with 8 German partners and planned a trial fleet of 20 Golfs outfitted with the system in 2010.
The production version was expected to be based on Mark VI Golf featuring a 1.5L turbodiesel engine and electric motor, with estimated arrival date of 2015.

Golf GTI W12

In 2007, VW built a concept car based on the Golf Mk5 featuring a 6.0-litre W12 engine from a Bentley Continental GT with a Volkswagen Phaeton gearbox. The engine was twin-turbocharged and tuned to provide an extra, giving. Volkswagen claimed that the car could accelerate from 0–100 km/h in 3.7 seconds. The Golf GTI W12 was rear wheel drive, using a six-speed automatic gearbox.
The body was extensively modified to carry the engine, widened and given a rear spoiler to improve handling.
The W12 engine was placed in the middle of the car to improve the car's grip.

Engine choices

The engines used are the same as for many other Volkswagen Group cars:
NameVolumeEngineFuelOutputTorque0–100 km/h Top speedCO2Years
1.41390 cc4cylPetrol at 5,000 rpm at 3,800 rpm14.7168 g/km2003−2006
1.41390 cc4cylPetrol at 5,000 rpm at 3,800 rpm13.9164 g/km2006−2008
1.4 FSI1390 cc4cylPetrol at 5,200 rpm at 3,750 rpm12.9156 g/km2003−2006
1.61595 cc4cylPetrol at 5,600 rpm at 3,800 rpm11.4184 g/km2004−2008
1.6 FSI1598 cc4cylPetrol at 6,000 rpm at 4,000 rpm10.8168 g/km2003−2007
1.4 TSI 1390 cc4cylPetrol at 5,000 rpm at 1,500−4,000 rpm9.4149 g/km2007−2008
1.4 TSI1390 cc4cylPetrol at 5,600 rpm at 1,500−4,000 rpm8.8169 g/km2005−2007
1.4 TSI1390 cc4cylPetrol at 6,000 rpm at 1,750−4,750 rpm7.9174 g/km2005−2007
2.0 FSI1984 cc4cylPetrol at 6,000 rpm at 3,250−4,250 rpm8.9187 g/km2004−2008
2.0 TFSI GTI1984 cc4cylPetrol at 5,100−6,000 rpm at 1,800−5,000 rpm6.9189 g/km2004−2008
2.0 TFSI 1984 cc4cylPetrol at 5,500 rpm at 2,200−5,200 rpm6.6194 g/km2007−2010
R323189 ccVR6Petrol at 6,300 rpm at 2,500−3,000 rpm6.2255 g/km2005−2008
2.0 SDI1968 cc4cylDiesel at 4,200 rpm at 2,200−2,400 rpm16.7143 g/km2004−2008
1.9 TDI1896 cc4cylDiesel at 4,000 rpm at 1,800−2,500 rpm12.9132 g/km2004−2008
1.9 TDI1896 cc4cylDiesel at 4,000 rpm at 1,900 rpm11.3135 g/km2003−2008
1.9 TDI BlueMotion1896 cc4cylDiesel at 4,000 rpm at 1,900 rpm11.3119 g/km2007−2008
2.0 TDI1968 cc4cylDiesel at 4,000 rpm at 1,750−2,500 rpm9.3146 g/km2003−2008
2.0 TDI DPF1968 cc4cylDiesel at 4,000 rpm at 1,800−2,500 rpm9.3145 g/km2006−2008
2.0 TDI DPF1968 cc4cylDiesel at 4,200 rpm at 1,800−2,500 rpm8.2156 g/km2006−2008

Safety

In 2004, the Mk5 received a 5-star Euro NCAP rating. The 2010 edition of Monash University's Used Car Safety Ratings, found that the Golf Mk5 provides an "excellent" level of occupant safety protection in the event of an accident.

Motorsport

In auto racing, APR Motorsport has led two MKV VW GTI's to victory in the Grand-Am KONI Sports Car Challenge and Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge Street Tuner class.

Awards