Wolfsburg, Germany - Volkswagen is planning a leaner and more clean-cut look for the seventh generation of the Golf that is expected on the markets late in the year 2012 with the choice of hybrid and electric engines, Germany's Auto Bild reports in its latest edition. Images released by the magazine show design cues lent from the first Golf with clear-cut proportions and form language. The wide C pillar was lent from the fourth generation Golf. The design team has meanwhile reduced draft sketches from three to two, according to the report.
Originally scheduled for launch in January 2012 the date has been moved to September 2012 because of the economic climate and the successful run of the current Golf VI, Auto Bild says.
The Golf VII will be available as a full hybrid version fitted with a 25 hp electric motor or as a plug-in hybrid with 70 hp in electric power. The range in pure electric drive is expected to be anything between 50 and 150 kilometres. In the medium term VW engineers are working on a 70-per-cent charge capacity for the lithium-ion battery unit over a five to ten minute period.
