I’ve said frequently that, for the investment, the Volkswagen Golf is the perfect car in the world. The TDI has always been a fan favorite for efficiency, as the GTI and Golf R are as fun to operate a vehicle as cars costing twice as much. The base Golf is not merely as efficient as ever, on account of the new 1.8-liter turbo, but the interior is world-class as well. For 2015, VW is heading into the zero-emissions market with the all-electric e-Golf. It looks set to be the benchmark in thattogether with the eye rolling. It’s fantastic, and electric cars use a real place in the market. Even for enthusiasts. We have a pretty good thought of what people expect from them, as someone who has spent a fair period of time talking to electric car owners while charging an extended-term Tesla. These are almost never the person’s only car and seldom the owner’s priciest car. Even in the case of $90,000 Teslas. They are, however, the owner’s daily driver and sometimes favorite toy.
Volkswagen e Golf Rear Three Quarters View Dynamic
Volkswagen e Golf Rear Three Quarters View Charging
Volkswagen e Golf side1
Driving the e-Golf, the genuine stand-out feature is the shortage of anything that stands out. Apart from some energy readouts rather than a tachometer and the general lack of noise, there is little concerning theThe only electric motor is just rated at 115 hp, but with 199 lb-ft of torque available from the start, it pulls better than a TDI. Unlike other compact electrics, it even pulls well at highway speeds. The show’s over by 35 mph, though the Nissan Leaf, as an example, feels downright fast off of the line. The e-Golf keeps pulling long after.
Volkswagen e Golf front three quarter 021
Volkswagen e Golf front end 021
Volkswagen e Golf front-end
Acceleration is quiet and smooth, as is highway cruising. Other electrics suffer from wind and road noise that could normally have been masked by powertrain sounds. The MQB-based Golf is quiet in the first place, but it seems as though additional time has been spent with this battery-powered variant. The whole experience might be relaxing. And as anyone who has driven a good electric vehicle can tell you, this is the way ahead forthan the usual comparable four-door 1.8T Golf, even carrying around 700 pounds in lithium-ion battery pack. The 24.2 kWh battery is good for 70 to 90 miles of normal driving. Volkswagen is partnering with Charge Point, a nationwide charging station network, and says the e-Golf can be charged to eighty percent of capacity in just thirty minutes. We can’t imagine buying or leasing one of these without having access to a charger either at home or work, if not both, although plugging into a standard 110-volt home socket will require 20 hours for the same charge. In the event of the inability to quite make it to that charging station, VW offers free roadside assistance.
Volkswagen e Golf front end1
Volkswagen e Golf charger
Volkswagen e Golf front three quarters
Despite the extra 360 pounds, the newest MQB still feels nimble and maintains the normal solid-yet-compliant ride. The steering is wonderful, surprisingly so, with no on-center dead spot. Resistance builds consistently and immediately as the wheel is turned. Road feel is around the low side. Some of that could be attributed to the 205/55 all-season tires, and I’m sure some is merely tuning to the audience. Regardless, the handling is better than other things in the class. Putting battery pack inside the center tunnel and underneath the rear seats has lowered the car’s center of gravity and made it more centralized front to rear, which is always good for dynamics. It would be interesting to see how the good pair of performance tires affects things in terms of both handling and economyThe placement of the batteries has also allowed for the same trunk space like a regular Golf. And the rear seats are typical MkVII cavernous, with plenty of knee room and headroom, even when sitting behind a tall driver. The front seats are flat and certainly less supportive as those in the GTI, but appropriate for the application form. Maybe we will have the GTE in Canada And Americaavailable at launch. It’s loaded with LED headlights and driving lights, touchscreen navigation, keyless access, front and rear park distance control and a rearview camera. Pricing is $36,265 with destination and includes the previously mentioned roadside assistance as well as a 100,000-mile warranty on theKeep in mind it’s half the cost, though it just has half all the different a Tesla Model S. It makes a perfect second or third, although again, this isn’t will be a household’s only car. Like other cars carrying the Golf name, the e-Golf is actually a world-class vehicle.