The most modern Golf ever with the 1.5 TSI engine and mild hybrid technology

Compact cars continue to grow markedly, aiming to offer everything in one package and provide their customers with the versatility so characteristic of this segment. The Volkswagen Golf, one of the pioneers of the compact class, did not want to miss out on any of the updates the brand is developing, which is why it now features a very interesting new engine. The new 1.5 TSI with mild-hybrid technology will be a real revolution within the German compact.

We all know that the Golf is one of the most cherished cars in the brand’s lineup, as it is reflected generation after generation in how this compact raises its quality and, at the same time, its mechanical qualities. Volkswagen has wanted to keep exploiting the highly adaptable character of this segment with the addition of this engine, which will not only provide the customer with performance up to any circumstance, but will also offer very low consumption.

The brand takes an approach that is shared by many other companies, whose goal is to phase out diesel and replace them with electric or petrol engines with hybrid technology. In this case, the Golf has opted for the latter, except that the German compact will not be able to cover kilometres in electric mode at the driver’s will, since the presence of this battery is intended to reduce consumption and to take part in the sailing mode offered by the Golf with this new engine.

To complement the experience of achieving negligible consumption, Volkswagen has included, together with this powertrain, the cylinder deactivation system, something also applied in other models of the group such as the SEAT León. However, for the Golf’s engine to run on only half of its cylinders, it must be within a range of between 1,400 and 4,000 rpm and travelling at a speed below 130 km/h.

Another novelty is that the 1.5 TSI engine producing 130 CV with four cylinders -only when paired with the DSG gearbox- can switch off completely, a situation that gives way to the 12V battery located inside it, which would move the compact during sailing mode. If our driving does not allow for this situation, the lithium-ion battery will keep the car’s electrical components alive while the vehicle is switched off.

But the innovations do not stop here, since the Volkswagen Golf, the most efficient one -with the electric variant’s permission- includes a variable-geometry system with Miller cycle. Thanks to this combination, this new powertrain offers higher torque and, at the same time, considerably lower emissions and consumption, an ideal mix for tackling the city and heading out onto the motorway.

Volkswagen claims that consumption with this new 1.5 TSI four-cylinder powertrain in mixed use will be 4.8 l/100 km and only 4 l/100 km on the extra-urban cycle. This engine deals a hard blow to diesel and, at the same time, to more traditional hybrids. For now the Golf will be the only model from the brand to feature this engine, but Volkswagen has confirmed that it will soon be implemented in other vehicles and, therefore, segments.

Technical specifications of this car

HatchbackVolkswagen Golf28 versions · from 24,450 €