Will Volkswagen build the new Golf and Jetta (a.k.a. MKVI or MK6) slightly smaller and significantly lighter? If we take a look at gas prices already above $4 and climbing towards $5 the answer seems to be geared towards… YES! Let’s take a better look at the question and see if VW could achieve it.

The world is already used to small cars but the American market has not been interested in small/light cars but it has changed. Sales of SUV’s and trucks fell almost 55% while the sales of small sedans skyrocketed. A bigger sign the American market is ready for smaller cars is the volume of searches for the “Smart Car” has risen 10x and there is a waiting list of almost 2 years. In May 2008 there were as many searches for “Smart Car” as there were searches for “VW” in U.S.A.

Can VW achieve a slightly smaller and significantly lighter MKVI ? We definitely think so, and here’s how… The slightly smaller part is easy im talking about an inch and a half shorter in length. The significantly lighter part is a bit more tricky. Volkswagen will have to take a path similar to Subaru’s new Impreza. Im talking about whats under the hood. Subaru used a high-tech plastic intake manifold which contributed to lowering intake temperature’s and lowering the weight. Since the prices of metals skyrocketed the plastic manifold also saved money on production costs.

While we are on the subject of metal costs we can take a look at carbon fiber. Fist we will take a look at F1 cars, a general rule of thumb is technology that developed on the race tracks will find its way into consumer cars in about 10 years. A quick example of this is the DSG transmission on the GTI today. Carbon fiber has been in F1 cars for quite some time now and I think it’s about time for it to make its way into consumer cars. The high cost of raw metal will also help carbon fiber to be used as an economical alternative.

So, will Volkswagen build the new Golf / Jetta slightly smaller and significantly lighter. UrbanVW thinks so… or at least  thinks Volkswagen should!