Volkswagen Golf Mk 7 due in 2012?

If at all that is true, then the current Mk 6 model cycle would be the shortest among all Golf generations. The Mk 5 was after all running from 2003 to 2009 while the preceding Mk 4 Golf production has equal longevity from 1997 to 2003.

Could it be that the current generation of Golf Mk 6 uses a slightly modified platform of the Golf Mk 5? And that the overall dimensions and silhouette shadows much of its predecessor? Perhaps in German automotive application just a major facelift of the Mk 5?

As such, the Golf Mk 7 will be a completely new model. To be built on a new platform known as MQB - which will have a longer wheelbase yet lighter - the all-new 2012 Golf will allow the introduction of hybrid powertrains which include petrol-electric and diesel-electric combos. The Mk 7 Golf will probably sport a full-EV variant rumoured to debut a year later in 2013.

Expect the following pure internal combustion range of 1.2-litre TSI engine (86 and 105 hp), 1.4-litre TSI engine (122 hp and 160 hp), 1.6-litre TDI engine (90 hp and 105 hp), 2.0-litre TDI engine (140 hp, 170 hp and 220 hp). The Mk 7 Golf GTI and Golf R versions are likely still powered by top-range 2.0-litre TSI engine (220 hp and 300 hp).

The all-new Mk 7 Golf is expected to be unveiled by end 2012, with production target for the Mk 6 to be around 1.6 millions units. In contrast, the Mk 5 with its good-and-ripe 6-years production run had clocked up some 2.3 million units.

Volkswagen Mk6 Golf R

It looks like Golf Mk6 hottest version - slated to boot out the Mk5 Golf R32 - has swapped the latter�s 3.2-liter V6 (250hp) for VW Scirocco R's 2.0-liter (EA113) direct injection-turbocharged 4-pot. Beefed up and boosted to pump out 270hp and 320Nm worth of torque, and rightfully (but more costly) powering all four wheels via an all-wheel drive system nicked from the new Audis S3.

A six-speed manual gearbox is standard, while the 6-speed twin-clutch DSG transmission will be optional. 0 to 100km/h sprint is dispatched in 5.7 seconds for the stick shift, while the DSG �box will further shave sprint timings down to 5.5 seconds! To put things in perspective, that�s even quicker than the latest Porsche Cayman 2.9 with PDK (5.8 seconds). Top speed however, is electronically limited to 250 km/h for both versions. In contrast, the �regular� Mk6 Golf GTI (EA888 with 209hp) with a DSG gearbox zips to 100km/h in 6.9 seconds and Vmax at 239 km/h.

The wicked Mk6 Golf R will be available as both three and five door hatchbacks. It is expected to go on sale in Europe by the end of this year, while its U.S. market debut is projected by early 2010. No news from Volkswagen Group Malaysia (VGM) on this most exciting Golf version to come in Mk6 form but a probable guesstimate will be H2 2010? On a related note, the Mk 6 GTI is due to be officially unveiled and sold in Malaysia at RM209k (one thousand ringgit per hp?) by Nov/Dec 2009.