How VW put the new Golf on a diet
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BERLIN -- Volkswagen Group put the seventh-generation Golf compact on a serious diet to reduce emissions by 14 percent compared with the current model.
Europe's largest automaker cut 100kg from the Golf's weight to meet tougher emission rules in Europe and around the world.
"With this car we have been able to reverse the upward spiral in weight," said VW CEO Martin Winterkorn when the car was unveiled Sept. 4 in Berlin.
Despite the weight reduction, the vehicle is "safer, more comfortable and more spacious than its predecessor," he added.
VW cut the vehicle's weight even though the new Golf is 56mm longer and 13mm wider than the model it replaces.
The VW brand is just the latest entrant in the auto industry's race to reduce new vehicle weight to help cut fuel consumption at a time of growing fuel prices.
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You can reach Luca Ciferri at lciferri@crain.com.
