Photo: original image by autoevolution
The Volkswagen Golf is perhaps the most popular compact car with urban buyers over in Europe, a best-selling classic. However, once those buyers want to get away from it all on the weekend, limitations are revealed. It's precisely for this reason that VW has launched the Golf Alltrack.
Making its world debut at the Paris Motor Show today, this model takes the estate body, raises it and adds useful technology. Highlights of the reworked design include 20mm of additional ground clearance, black wheel arch moldings and integral bumper with aluminum scuff plates. We honestly think it looks much better than the Tiguan or Passat Alltrack and anybody who buys an SUV right now is missing out on a better handling, more spacious car.
The Golf Alltrack is the second model of its kind in the Volkswagen range, after the Passat. However, it also has a few sister models that are already on the market. From Skoda, we have the Octavia Scout, which is even larger, while SEAT has just launched the Leon X-Perience.
This lone petrol engine is joined by three diesels: 1.6 TDI with 110 PS, 2.0 TDI with 150 PS and 2.0 TDI with 184 PS. Even though it's cheaper to buy, the 1.6 looks like it's to be avoided, since its 0 to 100 km/h time of 12.1 seconds suggest it will feel slow.
Most buyers will pick the mid-range 150 horsepower 2-liter, which despite claiming 0 to 100 km/h in 8.9 seconds, gets almost exactly the same fuel consumption (3.9 l/100km vs 4.0).
"Offraod" driving mode changes the function of the accelerator pedal on gravel and other loose surfaces and comes with a hill descent function, like a Land Rover. Volkswagen has also fitted one of those trick ABS systems, like the ones on large SUVs, that digs the wheel into the dirt for better traction.
The Golf Alltrack is the second model of its kind in the Volkswagen range, after the Passat. However, it also has a few sister models that are already on the market. From Skoda, we have the Octavia Scout, which is even larger, while SEAT has just launched the Leon X-Perience.
The engine cocktail: one part TSI petrol and three clean slices of diesel
Those who, like us, prefer the sound of a TSI turbo engine should know the Golf Alltrack is first and currently only VW model offered with the 1.8-liter from the EA888. This is efficient enough as an alternative to diesel (5.6 l/100km combined and 158 g/100km), while its 180 PS output makes sprinting from 0 to 100 km/h possible in 7.8 seconds.This lone petrol engine is joined by three diesels: 1.6 TDI with 110 PS, 2.0 TDI with 150 PS and 2.0 TDI with 184 PS. Even though it's cheaper to buy, the 1.6 looks like it's to be avoided, since its 0 to 100 km/h time of 12.1 seconds suggest it will feel slow.
Most buyers will pick the mid-range 150 horsepower 2-liter, which despite claiming 0 to 100 km/h in 8.9 seconds, gets almost exactly the same fuel consumption (3.9 l/100km vs 4.0).
The 4MOTION potion
If the Golf Alltrack was an issue of Playboy magazine, its centerfold would the the 4MOTION all-wheel drive system. It's based on an electro-hydraulic Haldex-5 coupling that can send up to almost 100 percent torque to the back if it's needed. Instead of a diff, computers subtly figure out how to apply the brakes in order to aid steering."Offraod" driving mode changes the function of the accelerator pedal on gravel and other loose surfaces and comes with a hill descent function, like a Land Rover. Volkswagen has also fitted one of those trick ABS systems, like the ones on large SUVs, that digs the wheel into the dirt for better traction.
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