Milltek is announcing updates to its range of enhanced ‘Milltek Classic’ exhaust systems this week, led by a new OEM+ design for Volkswagen’s first-generation Golf Cabriolet.

Arriving just in time for the season of roof-down motoring, the latest Milltek Classic offering is available in resonated or louder non-resonated specification, with each option promising to subtly enhance the standard engine note of the iconic eighties drop-top while remaining faithful to the original factory exhaust tip style.

The Milltek Classic range includes many popular designs from the company’s 40-year history, with each new product extensively updated and re-engineered using the latest technology and manufacturing processes. All Milltek Classic applications are designed as ‘OEM+’, and promise to enhance performance, quality, durability and sound, alongside improved material quality, silencer design, and acoustics.

All Milltek Classic systems benefit from the company’s renowned, extensive R&D process – each new development begins with the original ‘OEM’ exhaust system, with engineers identifying weaknesses and restrictions using a 3D scanning and testing process.

Other popular Milltek Classic systems include applications for the BMW M3 (E30) and Peugeot 205 GTI – a pair of iconic ‘80s classics which have vastly increased in value during the last decade. While both have been hugely popular vehicles with Milltek customers throughout the company’s history, Milltek says that customers are now moving away from larger, performance-focused exhausts in favour of a factory finish.

The latest Mk1 Golf Cabriolet development has also reflected the company’s ‘by enthusiasts, for enthusiasts’ philosophy, calling on Managing Director Steve Pound’s personal Helios Blue example as part of the design and testing work.

Steve Pound, Managing Director of Milltek, said: “Demand for the Milltek Classic range has been creeping up over the last two years, and the Mk1 Golf Cabriolet is one of the cars we’ve noticed becoming hot property with our customers. Our designs are tailor-made for those looking to upgrade the performance, sound and durability of their exhaust, benefitting from everything we’ve learned over the last forty years, while keeping a tailpipe design that doesn’t deviate too much from stock.”

For more information, customers are invited to contact their nearest Milltek Sport stockist, which can be found at www.millteksport.com, or call Milltek Sport on 01322 227 280.

Wolfsburg – The Golf is celebrating its 50th birthday this year – and Volkswagen is launching an enhanced version of its bestseller to mark the anniversary. The new Golf impresses with a next-generation infotainment system, a more intuitive operating concept, a sharper front and rear end design as well as efficient drive systems. These include plug-in hybrid drives with an increased all-electric range of about 100 kilometres. In addition, an illuminated Volkswagen logo adorns the front² for the first time on a Golf.

Thomas Schäfer, CEO of Volkswagen Passenger Cars: “The Golf has been at the heart of the Volkswagen brand for half a century now, offering affordable mobility for all at the highest technical level. This is precisely what we are now building on with the new evolutionary stage – with even higher efficiency, comfort and quality and a new operating concept. The Golf does not get any better than this.”

Imelda Labbé, Member of the Volkswagen Board of Management for Sales, Marketing and Aftersales: “With Golf, we have written a unique success story. The Golf stands for the Volkswagen brand like no other model. A car for all generations. And this has been the case for 50 years. With the continuous technical development of the new Golf, we are now adding another chapter to this success story.”

Revamped front and rear and new light design. The new Golf and new Golf Estate¹ can be recognised by their new front end. Visually defining features include the Volkswagen logo², which is illuminated for the first time on the Golf, and the newly designed LED headlights. The top-of-the-range IQ.LIGHT LED matrix headlights² incorporate a new high-performance main beam with a range of up to 500 m. The IQ.LIGHT 3D LED tail light clusters² in both body versions have also received a new design.

New infotainment landscape and ChatGPT integration. Inside, the model series features a newly developed, intuitive infotainment system with a free-standing touchscreen (screen diagonal up to 32.8 cm)². This has ergonomically optimised and illuminated touch sliders for temperature and volume control at its base.

Also new are the enhanced multi-function steering wheel and new IDA² voice assistant. Using natural language, the IDA can be used not only to control functions such as the air conditioning, telephone or navigation system, but also to access online information from all conceivable areas – from weather forecasts to general knowledge questions. The Golf will have the latest infotainment system generation on board in future. This integrates the artificial-intelligence-based chatbot ChatGPT into the IDA voice assistant. Showcased at the CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas at the beginning of January, the feature can seamlessly access the ever-growing database of artificial intelligence. Occupants can interact with the car using natural language and have researched content read aloud to them while travelling.

Parking made easy thanks to new assist systems. Manoeuvring the Golf and Golf Estate is made easier by new assist systems such as the enhanced Park Assist Plus function. When driving past a parking space, it can detect whether the space (parallel or bay) is large enough and starts the parking procedure³ accordingly. It takes over the steering as well as acceleration and braking³. All the driver has to do is monitor the parking process. In addition, Park Assist Pro² will be available for the Golf for the first time, enabling drivers to guide the vehicle in and out of parking spaces with their smartphone³. The vehicle can be driven out of the parking space remotely if the parking space is very narrow, for example. Another new feature is the Area View² system – here, a 360-degree all-round view is created by merging four cameras, and the corresponding image is transferred to the infotainment system touchscreen. This makes it easy to see kerbs and parking space markings.

New powertrain range. The new plug-in hybrid drives in the Golf offer increased power and an electric range of about 100 km, and are additionally equipped with a DC quick-charging function. The highly efficient 48 V mild hybrid drives are particularly appealing for drivers who have  no charging wall box at home. Mild hybrid (eTSI), plug-in hybrid (eHybrid¹ and GTE¹), turbocharged petrol (TSI) and turbocharged diesel (TDI) variants will be available for the product line in the launch phase. The Golf GTI¹ has become even sportier with added power compared to its predecessor. Further Golf derivatives will be introduced successively throughout 2024. 

50 years of the Golf – the history of the bestseller
The first series-produced Golf was built at the Volkswagen plant in Wolfsburg at the end of March 1974. The official launch began in May. Prior to this, the Beetle and thus the combination of a rear-mounted engine and rear-wheel drive had shaped the Volkswagen brand for decades. At the beginning of the 1970s, the first Golf – like the Passat, the Scirocco and the Polo – marked the start of a new era: that of the front-mounted engine and front-wheel drive. The modern and safe drive system concept, the great flexibility with a tailgate and folding rear seat backrest, and the design were so convincing that the millionth Golf rolled off the assembly line by October 1976.

But that was just the beginning: in the seven generations that followed, it was always the Golf that made affordable mobility with the highest standard of technology open to everyone. It came with technology such as the controlled catalytic converter and efficient drive systems, and additionally offered safety features such as the anti-lock braking system, airbags or the first all-wheel drive system in the product line. The secret behind the Golf’s success is also down to the fact that the designers transferred the first generation’s DNA to its successors, thereby cultivating the classic Golf design.

Comfort, quality and innovative assist systems gained importance with each generation and continue to set standards today. Over the past 50 years, the Golf has become a high-tech compact class all of its own – this even became known as the ‘Golf class’ after just a few years. The model has won countless awards and comparative tests at home and abroad. Various derivatives such as the Estate, Cabriolet and Sportsvan followed; the all-electric e-Golf and sporty models, with the abbreviation GTI⁴, GTD⁵, GTE⁶, and the flagship Golf R⁷ quickly established themselves. The Golf was one of the first cars in the segment to offer assisted driving³ via Travel Assist. Another innovation in the Golf was the debut of Car2X technology³, which can provide advance warning of hazards.

To date, more than 37 million Golfs have been sold across eight generations. The Golf is a solid pillar for the Volkswagen brand and is always able to adapt as a driver of innovation. With the new evolutionary stage, the brand is building precisely on that – with enhanced efficiency, comfort and quality and a smart operating concept.

¹ Near-production vehicle
² In Europe: line-specific or optional equipment
³ Within the limits of the system
⁴ Golf GTI- fuel consumption in l/100 km: combined 7.3-7.0; CO₂-emission in g/km: combined 166-160.
⁵ Golf GTD – fuel consumption in l/100 km: combined 5.4-5.2; CO₂-emission in g/km: combined 142-136.
⁶ Golf GTE – fuel consumption in l/100 km: combined 1.2; power consumption in kWh/100 km: combined 15.1-14.9; CO₂-emission in g/km: combined 28-27.
⁷ Golf R – fuel consumption in l/100 km: combined 8.2 – 7.8; CO₂-emission in g/km: combined 185 – 178

Only consumption and emission values in accordance with WLTP and not in accordance with NEDC are available for the vehicles. Where ranges are stated, the values for consumption and CO₂ emissions depend on the selected vehicle equipment.

Milton Keynes – Volkswagen has added extra style, performance and exclusivity to its range with the new Golf Black Edition, which goes on sale from today (Thursday 7 September).

The Golf Black Edition sits between the R-Line and GTE models and comes packed with exciting and exclusive features. In addition, it has all the style customers have come to expect from any Volkswagen Black Edition.

Additional items compared with the R-Line include 18-inch black Bergamo alloy wheels – which are not available with any other Golf in the UK – plus a Winter Pack, rear-view camera and a Black Style Package. This comprises an illuminated strip between the headlights, recessed and illuminated door handles, black exterior mirror housings and LED Plus headlights. Sports seats in the front, rear tinted glass, R-Line body-coloured bumpers and interior ambient lighting with 30 colour options complete the Golf Black Edition’s head-turning looks.  

The Golf Black Edition comes with a choice of three advanced powertrains, all providing sparkling performance, impressive refinement and high efficiency: 

• 1.5 TSI 150 PS with six-speed manual
• 1.5 eTSI 150 PS mild hybrid with seven-speed automatic direct-shift gearbox (DSG)
• 2.0 TSI 190 PS with seven-speed DSG and 4MOTION all-wheel drive (exclusive to Golf Black Edition)

As expected from any Volkswagen Black Edition model, this new Golf model also offers notable value for money. Its additional features, compared with the R-Line, would normally cost £2,900 – but the new model costs just £1,500 more.

Recommended retail prices start from £31,985 (on the road, including VAT).

The Golf Black Edition is available with a £2,000 deposit contribution and a 6.9-per-cent personal contract plan (PCP) from Volkswagen Financial Services.