VW Golf 8 To Arrive In 2019, Details Previewed
So far, the Golf sits on top of the list as the Wolfsburg鈥檚 best-selling model. It makes sense and gives reasons why all the seven Golf models have been absolute hits for the company. It will likely lose some estimated 50kg weight, and is going to make the switch to a 48V electrical system and an integrated starter motor. The target power output for the 鈥渂ase鈥?GTI is said to be the recent Clubsport鈥檚 195 kW. It is rumoured that an overboost function provided by an electric motor mounted in the front section of the transmission is a possibility, effectively turning the next Golf GTI into a mild hybrid. The Golf 8 GTI Clubsport could pack as much as 240kW from its 2.0-litre turbopetrol. The eighth Golf GTI is expected to feature a mild hybrid system by adopting an electrically operated compressor to boost low-end torque. Rumour has it there is going to be a Performance mode, which, upon activation, will turn on an electric motor mounted in front of the seven-speed, dual-clutch gearbox. This will effectively give the Golf GTI a boost function, with the 2.0-litre combustion engine and the electric motor working together to deliver more performance while retaining the front-wheel-drive layout.
It had one strange quirk through which was never accurately traced but we suspect came from the worn bushes on the entire front end. Like most owners I carried a graduated stick in the front boot and you calculated your mileage and dipped as you travelled. But there was a reserve petrol tap. Even in those days the car had a heater which was in effect hot air from around the exhaust system and engine compartment re-routed into the cabin by levers on the centre tunnel. I got to truly love my Beetle. In those days they were plentiful and fairly cheap. It ended up a beach buggy. A friend and me unbolted the body in about an hour. Rolled it off the floorpan and installed the new aluminium body in about another hour. A little bit of wiring and we were ready to go. So a total car transformation in an afternoon.
We called up a truck and they took the body to the tip. Have you or your family ever owned a Classic VW? Was it a Beetle? Was it a Karmann Ghia? Was it a Type34 Nothback? Was it a Type34 Fastback? Was it a Type 34 Variant? Or, how about a VW Microbus? Its very important to include in the VW Beetle history some other models successfully produced under the VW umbrella. The one probably most known is the Karmann Ghia. The Karmann Ghia had quite a long production life of between 1955 until 1974, with very few changes in that period. Both coupes and convertibles were manufactured. It combined the chassis of the VW Beetle along with the coachbuilding abilities of the German manufacturer - Karmann. 455,000 Karmann Ghias were produced over the 19 year production period, with a surprising amount still around even though rust issues were ever present.
Although they were initially powered by the 1192cc single solex engines, with an option of power from a 1195cc with twin Solex carburetters, they were eventually powered by 1500 and 1600cc Beetle engine versions. The Type 34 is my personal favorite in another chapter of VW Beetle history. They were introduced in 1961 with a 1500cc engine. Its difficult to understand how they ever got through the Boardroom. At the time VW were having a great run with the Karmann Ghia, so why introduce yet another sports car to the range. My guess is that the Type 34 was basically a much more upmarket version of the Karmann Ghia, with options in 1963 such as an electrically operated sunroof. There were also a lot more padded areas in the Type 34 as opposed to the Karmann Ghia. It was also larger inside and faster. I've probably just answered my own question. There's very few Type 34's around these days (although there are quite a lot on the road in Australia). Rust issues in the Type 34 were plentiful as they had lots of internal sealed welded panels.
