News Story

New Golf to be launched at London Press Club ball

Monday, 04 Aug 2008 12:33

Opera singer Natasha Marsh will also be appearing at the Press Club ball

The annual London Press Club ball will be the venue for the launch of the new Volkswagen Golf, a car so shrouded in secrecy no images have yet been released.

The car will be the chief charity auction prize at the event, held at the Natural History Museum on October 15th.

BBC presenter, Jeremy Vine, will be hosting the charity auction, which is raising money for the Journalists' Charity.

The Paris Motor Show will be the venue for the international launch (at the beginning of October, incidentally), but the Press Club appearance marks its British launch.

The new iteration will be the sixth generation of the car, spanning a history of 34 years and 25 million vehicles.

Ball committee chairman, Philippa Kennedy, said: "It was a real coup to secure the next generation Volkswagen Golf as a prize.
"In the past we have had generous support from Audi, Peugeot and Honda providing cars as auction prizes. But this is the first time we will have unveiled a prize car before it has even been officially launched in Britain.

"The timing seemed perfect and, happily, Volkswagen agreed. So it's a great scoop for us and of course for whoever successfully bids for it. And those at the Ball will be among the first in the UK to see it up close."

Organisers have been forced to use a 'veiled' picture of the Golf to publicise the event, such has been the secrecy surrounding it.

Volkswagen UK's managing director, Robin Woolcock, said: "The organisers spotted the possibility of getting a new generation Golf to London in time for The London Press Ball and I'm pleased that they did.

"It is an ambitious target and I'm delighted we have a green light. The Journalists' Charity is a very deserving cause."