This from VWVortex.com
BY: JAMIE VONDRUSKA
4 February 2014
Volkswagen gave us the first look at the new U.S. Spec Golf 7 models (fresh off the new assembly line in Mexico) at the North American International Auto Show. There were two Golf 7 models and two GTI’s on display at the show. While Volkswagen won’t officially announce trim packages, options and pricing till the New York Auto Show in April, we did learn a few details about the new models that will be offered here.
The short version is that we expect that the Golf 7 models offered here will be very similar in price to the existing Golf 6 but with quite a bit more standard equipment. The TDI will be the exception which should be offered at a lower starting price. GTI models will arrive first at the end of May/beginning of June followed by 1.8TSI Golf models in July and TDI models in August (as 2015 model year cars). The factory in Mexico is slowly getting up to full production speed wanting to ensure quality first and quantity second. As is typical in new factory line setups, it is easier on everyone if the build complexity is limited at the start, so initial cars showing up will have all the basic equipment, but things like optional LED tail lamps and the Performance Pack will come within a few months time. Our understanding is that Volkswagen would like to offer some options that we haven’t previously gotten on the Golf before (like adaptive cruise control, park assist, etc., etc.) but those options will come later. Overall though, we are looking at getting more bang for our buck with this Golf 7 offered in more flavors than any Golf previously – Golf, Golf TDI, GTI, e-Golf, Golf SportWagen and hopefully GTD.
So let’s take a look…
Golf 7 In Mexico
Golf 7 is extremely important and significant for Volkswagen Group as a whole because it is the first of the MQB models. If you need a refresher on MQB we have a very detailed article you can read HERE, but basically it represents a complete streamlined component architecture for all transverse Volkswagen Group cars. What this means is that everything from the Polo sub-compact to the third-row mid-size SUV can share a common set of components – engines, transmissions, HVAC systems, electrical systems, infotainment systems, etc., etc. These components can be bolted onto virtually any vehicle Volkswagen desires with the only restriction being the front to rear distance between the front wheel hub and firewall/pedal box:
The great thing is that designers can literally make the front over hang, rear overhang, wheelbase, track, width and more virtually anything they want. Need a sub-compact? No problem. Need an SUV? No problem. Need a mid-engine RWD roadster? No problem. So on top of the car being modular, the assembly systems are also modular and standardized. There are adjustable carriers on the new assembly lines that give VW flexibility to build a Golf followed by a Passat followed by an SUV all on the same line. Right now the Jetta and Beetle are built on the older PQ platform and require their own assembly halls for each model down in Mexico. In the future, those can be combined into more efficient lines that can share models and give VW far more flexibility in the numbers being produced, so when something is popular, volumes can be moved around. In the long-run this is a HUGE step for VW and a major investment (more than $5 billion dollars so far with another $7 billion coming over the next 5 years).
We had an opportunity to visit the factory in Mexico this past January and what we saw was hugely impressive, especially to me who has visited that factory numerous times over the years. Volkswagen essentially tore down most of the older northern half of the factory where Jetta’s were built prior to the Jetta 6. Over the last two years they have been building a state-of-the-art facility that feels very similar to Volkswagen’s award winning Chattanooga factory. In fact, the factory in Mexico was upgraded virtually identically to the Golf 7 Wolfsburg assembly line and even got a few improvements and upgrades since it was built more recently.
Volkswagen is now using a more open floor plan utilizing a central office area with quick access to all parts of the manufacturing floor. The ceilings are higher, the spaces more expansive with less vertical supports so that upgrades and improvements in the future are easier. The buildings are built utilizing environmentally friendly materials that contain a higher percentage of recycled materials with better insulating properties. There are huge swatches of vertical glass panes that run from floor to ceiling combined with numerous skylights to allow as much daylight in as possible. What is most striking when you enter the new areas is just how bright they are and how clean everything looks.
Volkswagen even made the huge investment in hot-metal forming stamping technology down in the press areas. Overall, Volkswagen wants MQB to be fully supported and localized (as much as possible) in North America and is making every investment in both Mexico and Chattanooga to ensure that happens. This means VW will be able to build any transverse model here in North America. With Audi building a new MLB (longitudinal engine cars and trucks) component architecture factory not far from Puebla, Mexico, Volkswagen Group could build everything from Polo to Audi A6 in North America. The Audi factory will produce the Q5 in Mexico first and decide what other models after that.
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