I work at a company that designs and manufactures auto interiors. Here is a snippet from today's automotive news briefs that we get.
Note that this pertains to the European market, where people are more willing to pay for compact cars. When this makes it to North America, expect it to be a bit decontented.
Volkswagen is planning to give its redesigned
Golf a fresh look and some new technology
German automakerVolkswagen will unveil its sixth-generation Golf car at the Paris (France) Motor Show in October 2008, and it will go on sale in Europe shortly after.
A major change to the current platform model, the new hatchback will include a variety of new options, including seven airbags including a knee airbag, active head restraints, a rear seat seatbelt detection system, daytime running lights, automatic distance control, cruise control, a park assist function and an adaptive chassis that modifies suspension, steering and throttle characteristics.
Martin Winterkorn, VW Group’s chief executive officer, says the new Golf will offer more quality and comfort than the current model at a competitive price. The car – Europe's most successful with more than 26 million sold – was improved in all areas.
The car's exceptional value applies to the newly designed interior, whose refined surfaces and features completely transform class distinctions, both to the touch and visually, especially in the cockpit area. The appearance and layout of materials and details such as brushed chrome accents and round instruments derived directly from those of the Passat CC leave the impression that one is actually sitting in a car of the next higher segment.
Ergonomic properties of the car’s interior also were further developed. For example, all operating controls are even easier to use. They include the control of the automatic climate control system (Climatronic) and the power window controls that now are located further forward in the door trim, making them easier to access.
Volkswagen’s attention to detail is evident throughout the interior. An example is the "seatbelt detection" in the rear. If the Golf is ordered with rear side airbags, the user can recognize on the multifunctional display in the cockpit whether the occupants have their seatbelts fastened in the rear – separately for each seat. And with the leather seats, a new, more robust leather surface is being used. In the cargo area, four practical hooks ensure that after shopping, the contents of shopping bags are not strewn across the cargo area. (Automotive News Europe, Volkswagen news release)