AUBURN HILLS, Mich.-The Volkswagen Golf-Europe's most popular compact car for more than two decades-arrives all-new in the United States beginning in calendar year 1999.

While remaining true to the classic German hatchback design of its predecessors, the fourth-generation Golf is completely redesigned, both inside and out. Its exterior and interior dimensions have grown slightly, and its overall structural rigidity has been improved dramatically to near luxury class standards with the use of advanced production technologies. Fully galvanized sheet metal allows for an unprecedented 12-year, unlimited mileage anti-corrosion warranty.

On the outside, the new, smoother and sophisticated look of the Golf translates into an aerodynamic 0.31 drag coefficient. Inside, there are more features and a new premium look and feel, including a new instrument panel with vibrant blue back lighting. A long list of standard passive safety features include side-impact airbags.

Also standard for 1999, is an advanced ABS braking system with electronic distribution.

The new Golf is powered by a newly designed 115 horsepower, 2.0 liter, fourcylinder gas engine with a cross-flow cylinder head, and an optional 1.9 liter Turbo Direct Injection diesel engine that affords exceptional economy.

Offering the renowned cargo versatility of a wide-opening hatch and rear seats that fold flat, the 1999 Golf comes in two basic configurations; a two-door GL and fourdoor GLS. The new Golf GLS has grown in length at 163.3 inches, nearly three inches more than its predecessor. It is also wider at 68.3 inches, and its wheelbase has increased 1.5 inches to 98.9.

The Golf s interior offers nearly a cubic foot more cargo space, and better rear headroom and overall legroom.

Like other newly introduced Volkswagens, all 1999 Golfs are built to exacting standards, with extremely narrow panel gaps and joint tolerances. This helps make the Golf bodyshell extremely rigid, adding to its rock-solid feel on the road. Advanced laser welding and space-age bonding techniques also contribute to the new Golf s torsional and dynamic rigidity, a major factor in a car's handling and crash integrity.

While the Golf s new exterior is restyled, it remains true to its design tradition.

Classic characteristics prevail: a long roof, steep rear and stable C-pillar. In deference, Volkswagen designers opted against any visual tricks and instead fashioned the new Golf with clear-cut styling and shapes. Abrupt lines and edges were smoothed. The result is a new Golf that retains both the likeable aura of its predecessor and the dynamic presence of a modem European design.

From the front, the Golf's modernity is clearly seen in its headlights, which present twin halogen headlights behind a clear, polycarbonate lens. Turn signals are also incorporated in this unit, giving it a precise high-tech look. From the rear, the interplay of lines between the C-pillars, tailgate, and taillights also make a striking impression.

Inside, the Golf s interior is all-new. The instrument cluster uses two large dials and fits harmoniously with the panel. At night, a striking indigo blue illuminates the cockpit while glowing red dials inform. On the whole, the interior gives one a feeling of high quality and modem sophistication, detailed down to the touch of the textured "soft" paint.

The Golf s fabric, ergonomically designed seats, and high-quality composites also set new standards in this class of car. Chrome accents are used throughout the Golf s interior, and even its grab handles feature the luxury touch of silicone dampening for a soft return to their original positions when released.

First and foremost a driver's car, the Golf employs the secure traction of frontwheel-drive and a proven running gear with significant enhancements. Larger 15 inch wheels are now standard on the Golf, and the front layout uses McPherson struts and lower wishbones with improvements to the spring response and straight-line stability. The new Golf s rear wheels are linked to an independent torsion-beam axle, in which the springs and shock absorbers have been installed separately. This new rear layout places the coil springs below the longitudinal members, eliminating the need for the suspension strut turret, which would otherwise intrude into the luggage compartment. This innovation further helps reduce noise into the cabin area.

Both the Golf GL two-door version and Golf GLS are powered by a new 2.0 liter, SOHC, four-cylinder powerplant. Built from a new, more compact, cast-iron cylinder block, it produces 115 horsepower at 5,200 revolutions per minute; more importantly, its maximum torque of 122 ft. lbs. is realized at just 2,600 revolutions per minute. Other improvements, which contribute to its refined performance, include a crankshaft driven oil pump; a new two-piece aluminum intake manifold and stainless-steel exhaust manifold; a lighter weight, more rigid cast-aluminum oil pan; light-weight single-coil valve springs; and a semi-automatic toothed camshaft drive-belt tensioner that now drives the coolant pump.

An optional powertrain on the Golf, later in the model year, will be the innovative TDI diesel engine. Unlike any previous diesel, it's clean, fun-to-drive, and remarkably frugal, with an EPA rating of 49 mpg during highway driving and 42 mpg in the city. This four-cylinder, 1.9 liter engine provides exceptional performance over a wide rpm range from a flat torque curve which peaks at 155 ft. lbs. at just 1,900 rpm. This improved low-end torque performance gives the TDI surprising acceleration and good mid-range capabilities.

Mated to both engines is a standard five-speed manual transmission or an optional four-speed automatic.

Both the Golf GL and GLS offer a range of standard features that place them above anything offered in the compact car class. As mentioned, these features include four-disc ABS brakes and front seat-mounted side airbags, in addition to front occupant airbags. Also standard is a new, premium 8-speaker stereo cassette player with CD prep, anti-theft alarm system, CFC-free air conditioning, power central-locking system, split folding rear seats with three headrests, a pollen and odor filter, a height and telescoping steering wheel, and roof mounted whip antenna.

The Golf GLS adds a folding front-center armrest-a first for a Volkswagen in this vehicle class-one-touch up and down power windows, power heated mirrors, cruise control, and special velour fabric seats.

Options on the new Golf GLS include a four-speed automatic transmission, leather seating with heated front seats, alloy wheels and power glass sunroof. Active safety in the new Golf comes from its precise handling, the security of front-wheel-drive, advanced ABS braking and other accident avoidance aids like daytime running lights (DRL).

The Golf utilizes standard side airbags for front seat occupants. This system is integrated into the front seats for good reason: no matter where the front occupant adjusts his or her seat position, the airbag maintains its protective relationship. This cannot always be assured if the side airbag is installed in the door or the roof pillar. Side protection is further ensured by special reinforcements and structural members, including anti-intrusion tubes and foam padding at all four doors.

Additional frontal impact protection comes from the steering system via a collapsible steering column and a steering wheel specially cushioned and designed to manage impact energy.

Further details of how the Golf interior provides occupant protection are found in the use of adjustable headrests for all seating positions, front and rear, the absence of sharp interior edges, recessed handles and control switches, crushable sun visors, a foldable rearview mirror, and non-override door locks.

Protection Plus