Volkswagen's next-generation Golf hatch has been spied testing again this week, rolling out of Winter's cooler air and into Europe's warmer mid-year months.

The all-new 2013 Golf hatch, seventh in a line that stretches back to the early 70s, will make its global debut at August's Paris Motor Show.

For now, the German giant has revealed details of the new car's 'MQB' platform, along with a few hints on the names and capabilities of its new powertrains.

It's already known that the MQB platform and new construction techniques will make the new Golf much lighter than its predecessor, and the smaller Mark IV of the late 90s has been mooted as the VII's goal weight.

As for the hero GTI, Britain's Car magazine reports that we can expect a version of the existing 2.0 litre turbo engine to provide power, boosted to around 161kW and 350Nm.

That's a modest power boost, but a significant smack of extra torque.

These latest figures follow a report earlier this year which claimed a brand-new 195kW 2.0 litre engine would drive the GTI, making room for a new all-wheel-drive Golf R delivering around 220kW.

Still, bolted into a new and lighter platform, the 161kW enhanced engine will get a better deal than it might otherwise appear, and a 0-100km/h time around 6.6 or 6.7 seconds should be in reach. (The current model lists a 6.9 second time.)

Convenience features available with the new Golf will reportedly include an eight-inch touchscreen, while its safety package will include the latest range of up-spec features: adaptive cruise control, fatigue detection, all-round sensors and the latest generation of the Park Assist system.

• MoreVolkswagen's MQB platform
• MoreGolf news and reviews | Volkswagen news and reviews
• MoreSmall Car news and reviews
• More2012 Paris Motor Show

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• reply ” like !

  

  Sute says,
  3 months ago

  ..."Nurburgring lap time eight seconds quicker than prototypes with a conventional diff"......
  
  As I am aware a single lap is around 7-8 minutes, so an 8 sec improvement doesn't seem much, IMO.
• reply ” like !

  

  Anthony says,
  3 months ago

  They need to concentrate on quality this time around,as there are many problems with the Golf 6
  • reply ” like !

    

    Sam says,
    3 months ago

    Such as Anthony? The 118TSI engine had some issues in the first 12 months, but the Mk 6 is a much better car than the Mk 5. It feels tighter, and better built internally and the technology makes the Mk 5 look extremely dated.
  • reply ” like !

    

    Ross says,
    3 months ago

    NO problems with my Golf VI 2+ years and 30000km not one problem, and the best drive I've ever had. Anthony sorry about your quality issues. Can't say it more for me it's the best built best drive auto I've had.
• reply ” like !

  

  Luke says,
  3 months ago

  We love our '6'. DSG TSi with no issues after two great years. Can't wait to see what could potentially be our next car.
• reply ” like !

  

  azz says,
  3 months ago

  Please please please
  
  no plaid trim seats they are SO UGLY
  
  and i really with the back window is angular and not straight up, it would let the car have some sort of back end and shape, not a look like a bullet..
  
  The previous golf had a fanstastic dark leather interior and awesome looking wheel, this current one looks HORRIBLE