New York Live - Volkswagen premieres the 2015 VW Golf in America [Image Update]

Volkswagen has brought the seventh generation VW Golf as the 2015 MY to the New York Motor Show, revealing the car for the first time to the Americans. The first installment of the new Golf range was presented in Berlin last September, while the full family was on display at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this month.

VW has announced that the new Golf will reach dealer showrooms in the US in 2014. The cars will be manufactured at the Puebla plant in Mexico in the first half of 2014.

Volkswagen is showcasing the base TSI model, the TDI Clean Diesel and the most powerful GTI variant in NY.

Volkswagen has not announced fuel economy figures of the 2015 VW Golf range, but here's what we know -

• The base model of the Golf will be powered by a 1.8-liter turbocharged, direct-injection four-cylinder TSI engine, which will be manufactured at a new plant in Silao, Mexico. It will make 170hp and 250Nm.
• The Golf TDI Clean Diesel model will employ a new 2.0-liter common-rail, turbocharged, direct-injection diesel engine that makes 150hp and 320 Nm of torque.
• The GTI model will be powered by a 2-liter turbo petrol engine which makes 210 hp and 350Nm of torque. The front wheels will get power from either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed DSG.

The GTI model is visually set apart from the normal car through the usage of a sporty body kit, new bumpers, a diffuser at the rear and a roof spoiler. Xenon headlamps, inserts on the honeycomb grille and chrome-tipped exhaust pipes are other highlights. You can notice tinted headlamps, a sportier suspension with a lower ride height and 17- to 19-inch alloy wheel options specified on the GTI variant.

Compared to the regular models, the interior of the GTI is differentiated by sport seats with distinctive GTI plaid pattern, a black headliner, and red ambient lighting. Following GTI tradition, a sport steering wheel, GTI shifter knob, special instrument cluster, unique trim inserts, and stainless-steel pedals and foot rest are offered.

Six airbags are standard, and in addition a new safety system dubbed "Automatic Post-Collision Braking System" has been launched that automatically brakes the vehicle after it is involved in a collision.

Front axle differential lock (VAQ) that virtually eliminates power-related understeer and Progressive Steering which varies the steering gear ratio also make their debut on the Golf.

What was said at the press conference -

Volkswagen is investing heavily in TDI tech. They have seven vehicles in the American lineup that have fuel economy of over 40mpg. Sporty "R Line" versions of the current range will be launched later this year.

2015 VW Golf (silver) & Golf GTI (red) Image gallery