autoevolution
 

2021 Volkswagen Golf Variant Spied Undisguised Ahead of Debut

The next-generation Volkswagen Golf station wagon, known as the Variant in Europe, was just spotted undergoing testing there. Its debut is imminent, but we don't expect it to be available in America.
2021 VW Golf Variant Spied Undisguised Ahead of Debut 10 photos
Photo: SB-Medien
2021 VW Golf Variant Spied Undisguised Ahead of Debut2021 VW Golf Variant Spied Undisguised Ahead of Debut2021 VW Golf Variant Spied Undisguised Ahead of Debut2021 VW Golf Variant Spied Undisguised Ahead of Debut2021 VW Golf Variant Spied Undisguised Ahead of Debut2021 VW Golf Variant Spied Undisguised Ahead of Debut2021 VW Golf Variant Spied Undisguised Ahead of Debut2021 VW Golf Variant Spied Undisguised Ahead of Debut2021 VW Golf Variant Spied Undisguised Ahead of Debut
The Golf Variant is becoming part of the Golf 8 family and sports a new design. We expect the proportions to be almost the same as before, but the new headlights and wide lower grille are unmistakably those of a 2020+ model.

Inside, a new age of VW dashboards will be felt. The infotainment is a high-mounted tablet for the first time in a Golf, while the DSG shifter is a tiny one. They've even gotten rid of the switch for the lights, replacing it with capacitive controls.

Sometimes called a Jetta or a Bora, depending on where you lived, the wagon was always an important part of the Volkswagen Golf family. Back in 2018, a rumor came out suggesting the model would be discontinued completely, but it's clearly not true. While sales in America were lack-luster, the Germans still love these practical compacts.

This new Golf Variant is quite similar to the normal hatchback up until the B-pillar, plus it also has two sister cars already, the 2020 Skoda Octavia Combi and SEAT Leon ST. Thus, we already know what to expect.

Under the hood, the biggest change comes in the form of mild-hybrid technology for almost all the engines. This allows the Golf to "run" with the engine shut off in certain situations. Europeans will initially have access only to the 1.0 and 1.5 TSI turbo engines.

On the TDI diesel front, the only displacement available will be a 2.0-liter. This is expected to be offered with anything from 115 hp to about 197 hp in the case of the inevitable Golf GTD Variant. A GTI model in this body style is unlikely, but a GTE plug-in hybrid with the same 242 hp might be on the way.
If you liked the article, please follow us:  Google News icon Google News Youtube Instagram X (Twitter)
About the author: Mihnea Radu
Mihnea Radu profile photo

Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
Full profile

 

Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?

You will only receive our top stories