Volkswagen’s ‘Mark VII’ Golf has been named Car of the Year 2013/14 in Japan, the first time in the 34 year history of the award, a foreign car has won.
The 60 jury members awarded the car – launched last June – 504 out of a possible 600 points.
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The jury highlighted the new Modular Transverse Matrix (MQB) platform as a core strength, saying it was the basis of precise handling with simultaneously high levels of ride comfort and driving pleasure. Safety, design, high quality interior and exterior finish and high-tech TSI engines were also commended.
Japanese Golfs are available with three trim levels: Trendline, Comfortline and Highline. Engine choices are both petrol: 1.2 TSI and 1.4 TSI with active cylinder management (ACT). In October, VW launched the GTI with 2.0 TSI engine.
Japanese buyers haved ordered over 13,000 of the new line so far.
The Golf has been sold in Japan for years. The Mark I, launched in the mid-1970s, quickly became the country’s top selling import and subsequent generations have also been popular.
