Text from Volkswagen of America. SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. - Volkswagen of America, Inc. will present advanced communication, safety, alternative fuel, and mobility systems during the 2005 Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) World Congress in San Francisco from November 6 - 10, at the Moscone Center. The Volkswagen Group will display new and conceptual automotive technologies during the conference. Volkswagens display highlights its advances in four main areas: communication, challenge, performance and mobility. Volkswagen will demonstrate its advances in communication with a glimpse into vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communications, hydrogen fuel cell technology, and advanced vehicle electronics. Stanley, a robotic ground vehicle built from a Volkswagen Touareg, will represent Volkswagen’s ability to meet modern challenges. Stanley is a cooperative project between the Volkswagen Electronics Research Laboratory (ERL) and Stanford University and is one of 20 finalists in the DARPA Grand Challenge. The technological marvels of this autonomously driven vehicle coupled with advanced 3-D navigation systems highlight the future of driving. The Audi allroad Quattro concept represents performance with its advanced radar detection system and rugged all-wheel drive system that vehicles can perform on all paths of travel.
There is a wide storage compartment hidden under the centre armrest that can be adjusted by up to 100 mm in length and five stages in height. This compartment is also of a good size. More space over its length. Despite all of its sportiness, the Golf GTI is more than just a sports car; it is an all-round talent. And that describes the seventh generation GTI as well. This would make the Golf GTI a good choice as a business car for any day of the year. Background: larger body dimensions in overall length and width, a larger wheelbase, optimised track widths and MQB-modified package all have a positive effect on comfort. The GTI interior is now 14 mm longer (1,750 mm), for example. In the rear seating area of the optional four-door Golf GTI, passengers enjoy 15 mm more leg room. In front, shoulder room has increased by 31 mm to 1,420 mm, and elbow room has now gone up by 22 mm to a width of 1,469 mm.
In the rear seating area, shoulder room was also improved by an additional 31 mm and elbow width by 20 mm. In addition, the rear seat bench folds and has a 60:40 split. When folded, a nearly level cargo floor is created with a length of 1,558 mm. From the Comfortline, the Golf can also be equipped with a cargo opening at the middle of the rear backrest. The successfully implemented space concept of the new Golf exhibits many other improvements as well. Cargo capacity, for example, has grown by 30 litres to 380 litres; the variable cargo floor can also be lowered by 100 mm. Perfection in the details: the load sill to the bootspace is now just 655 mm high - the best value in the core segment. In parallel, the maximum bootspace width has grown by 228 mm to 1,272 mm. Volkswagen has also increased the width of the bootspace opening by 47 mm to 1,023 mm. Like all six Golf GTI generations before it, the seventh generation is distinguished from other Golf models by numerous additional equipment features and classic GTI insignia.
Colours and wheels. The production colours Red (“Tornado Red”) and “Black” as well as “Pure White” have been typical for the Golf GTI since its beginning days. Volkswagen has further developed its standard “Denver” GTI wheels. Their styling characteristics flowed into the design of the new machine-polished 17-inch “Brooklyn” alloy wheels that replace them. The new wheels have a lighter visual look and are in fact lighter in weight. The wheels are fitted with size 225/45 tyres. In addition, the new 18-inch “Austin” alloy wheels and 19-inch alloy wheels in “Santiago” design are available as options. The car with the golf ball. Along with its many standard features such as air conditioning, Driver Alert system and the Composition Touch radio system, numerous GTI features refine the interior. They include the customised leather sport steering wheel and a special gear shift grip. The latter is once again reminiscent of a golf ball, which also makes it a tribute to the first GTI just like the new leather-trimmed steering wheel design. The sporty flat-bottomed steering wheel with its three metal spokes and trim in high-gloss black has a lightweight look, and it is remarkably handy and easy to grip.
