Classic replacement, obvious improvement, is Golf 8 a swan song or a family glory?

Since 1974, a car named? The model of golf came out, which opened the day when we belonged to this car in our life. In the past 46 years, golf has sold more than 40 million cars in 65,438+008 countries around the world. Become a classic model, the gold-lettered signboard of Volkswagen Group, and the "class representative" of European compact cars. Especially in Germany, golf is not only a means of transportation, but also carries the lives of many ordinary people. Almost every family has golf balls.

Similarly, in the past 46 years, golf has been replaced every 6 or 7 years on average, which seems to be a routine; Every time it is replaced, Volkswagen will always inject the cutting-edge technology at that time into this compact family hatchback. Therefore, each generation of golf represents the leading automotive technology level of that era, which is why golf is called the "Volkswagen God Car". Although golf is not the most expensive model of Volkswagen, it is the core product of Volkswagen and has been consistent for more than 40 years.

Golf officially entered China from the fourth generation model, and officially changed its name to "Golf", from the fourth generation to the eighth generation today, from PQ platform to MQB platform to MQB? Evo platform, together with GTI and R versions derived from it, the evolution of golf in each generation in China is also a hot topic. However, we obviously feel that the brand-new Golf 8 seems to have lost its popularity in the past, both in China and overseas markets, including the German core area. Previously, dirk, chairman of the Volkswagen Dealers Association? Weddigen? Feng? In an interview with the media, Napp revealed that the order quantity of this Volkswagen brand Soul Sport model has never been as low as that of Golf 8.

The car market has changed dramatically, and the sea has changed. With the start of the biggest electrification revolution in the automobile industry, every car company can't stay out of it. Volkswagen Group has also transformed its long-term strategic core into electric vehicles, but the Volkswagen management in Wolfsburg has not completely given up golf. As usual, Volkswagen still applies the latest technology to this model, especially many high-tech equipment, making it one of the most advanced models in the current Volkswagen brand. It is reported that Volkswagen has invested 654.38+0.8 billion euros in research and development expenses on the Golf 8 model, which is really a heavy investment.

But Golf 8 still risks becoming a swan song. Because Volkswagen's pure electric vehicle ID.3 has been officially listed, this car is not only similar to Golf 8 in appearance, but also enjoys many advantages in technical details and parts. Therefore, Volkswagen's heavy investment in developing Golf 8 does not conflict with the electrification strategy of Volkswagen Group. However, it should be noted that Volkswagen ID.3 is essentially different from Golf 8: the former aims to guide the Volkswagen brand into the future electric vehicle era, while the latter indicates the end of the Volkswagen brand internal combustion engine power era. In other words, ID.3 must become the golf of the new era, and this goal has been "set". To put it more bluntly, if ID.3 is successful in the market, then Golf 8 may be the last generation model in golf history.

Can Golf 8 break the game?

From the design point of view, Golf 8 is still golf, and it can only be golf. Just like Porsche 9 1 1, the classic outline and body proportion have long been deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, and the classic design elements are still preserved, such as the wide C-pillar design that continues the iconic "boomerang" of golf in past dynasties. In the eyes of Germans who admire Bauhaus art, the ultimate goal of automobile design is to make it a classic. Of course, you can't say that Golf 8 hasn't changed. Compared with the previous generation, Golf 8 has become sharper and more athletic. The more prominent change is the improvement of golf 8 in science and technology, so golf 8 is named "new digital golf"; Of course, the brand-new EA2 1 1 has also been adopted in overseas golf 8. EVO？ 1.5T turbocharged engine has advanced technology and better fuel economy. Unfortunately, the domestic version of Golf 8 will not be equipped with this power until 2023.

The embodiment of "digital golf" is mainly in cars. Golf 8 broke the continuity of the cockpit layout of the golf series in recent two or three generations. This change is commendable. FAW-Volkswagen officials also use the "fully digital cockpit" to define this change, which is obviously more emboldened. Among them, the most obvious thing is that the entire cockpit of Golf 8 bid farewell to the physical buttons, including headlight adjustment, steering wheel multi-function area adjustment and central control panel adjustment, all of which adopt touch design, use electronic gear lever, and even upgrade the car keys to the latest style of Volkswagen, which has a stronger sense of technology. For a conservative car model, it is exciting to make such a change.

As for the full LCD instrument panel and the central control LCD screen representing the scientific and technological attributes, it is also not the absence of Golf 8, but the latest MIB? The on-board computer system is also one of the cores of Golf 8 digital cockpit, with smooth operation, interface closer to mobile phone and convenient use. At the same time, Golf 8 also supports some functions of finger sliding or even non-contact gesture operation, and provides voice control function. Users can wake up the in-vehicle system through "Hello, Volkswagen" and operate related voice commands. In addition, Golf 8 also supports Android? Cars, apples? CarPlay and MirrorLink connect mobile phones and even support wireless Apple? CarPlay, you only need to connect it once for the first time, and it can be automatically opened every time you get on the bus, which was not available in previous golf.

Not only that, Golf 8 has also been fully upgraded at the level of intelligent driving assistance, equipped with travel? Auxiliary system, mainly including ACC? 3.0+TJA (Traffic Congestion Assistance System)+more optimized logic. Which ACC? The 3.0 function can turn on the L2 driver assistance function at any speed, but it can only be activated when the speed is greater than 30km/h, and the activated speed range is 30- 150km/h ... Meanwhile, when traveling? The auxiliary system can be used more widely, and the vehicle speed can be used at 0-2 10km/h; When passing through a curve, the vehicle sends a deceleration command to the vehicle according to the speed limit sign photographed by the camera or the curvature of the curve in the map after fusion calculation, so as to reduce the vehicle speed before passing through the curve, and then return to the previously set vehicle speed after passing through the curve, so that the effect is as close as possible to the expectation of human beings, and the nervousness of people in the vehicle is relieved, which is the common saying "spirituality".

In addition, Golf 8 is also equipped with Car2X car networking communication function, which can realize point-to-point communication with surrounding vehicles and road traffic facilities through the 5.9GHz frequency band without relying on network infrastructure. However, at present, this function can only be used in Germany, while the domestic version of Golf 8 has reserved Car2X function, which can be turned on when the time is ripe.

It can be said that golf, as a pioneering hatchback, has become a culture and symbol after eight generations of changes. Golf 8 has made many changes while inheriting the classics. Especially in terms of intelligence, Golf 8' s comprehensive innovative intelligent interconnection technology and rich driving assistance functions make this car more competitive. I think this replacement has met people's expectations.

As far as the domestic hatchback market is concerned, although the scenery is no longer there, this market has not died out. For those who pay more attention to the appearance and handling of vehicles and have lower requirements for ride comfort and space, the hatchback is still an excellent choice; Especially for consumers who like to introduce original products very much. In addition, golf, which has entered the China market for 20 years, has become the spiritual totem of the public and has long been deeply rooted in the hearts of Chinese people. Such products are naturally concerned by users who buy hatchbacks.

Written at the end: golf, a classic car, evolved to the eighth generation. Under the action of extreme optimization, both hardware and software are approaching perfection. Coupled with the excellent reputation accumulated by golf in the past dynasties, and the intelligent and technological changes made by Golf 8 while inheriting the classics, it shows that Volkswagen has made unremitting efforts to build such a boutique car. Although the domestic hatchback market has shrunk and Volkswagen has shifted its focus to electrification strategy, Golf 8 is still one of the current car purchase options for users. With its excellent appearance, interior, function and good driving sense, I believe Golf 8 can still win the favor of hatchback groups.

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This article comes from car home, the author of the car manufacturer, and does not represent car home's position.