Geneva 2013: Volkswagen Golf Variant

Today has been a great day at Geneva. The Porsche 911 GT3 was revealed, and that way over the top Lamborghini Veneno, too. As we speak the covers have just come off the Alfa Romeo 4C and Ferrari’s Enzo replacement is moments away from its debut. But, never mind any of that! There’s a new Volkswagen Golf Variant! It’s sure to steal away the limelight from those tinpot models already mentioned.

The Golf VII “Variant” is so versatile it can be called a Variant in Europe, an Estate in the United Kingdom and a Wagon in Australia. Plus, it can fit up to four boxes in the boot. It’s true, there’s even a picture to prove it.

Thankfully, though, the new Golf Variant Estate Wagon is actually pretty nice to look at. For a Golf Variant Estate Wagon. At least, it’s a whole lot better looking than the old abomination it replaces.

Actually, what does sound quite interesting, and sadly there’s no pics from VW HQ just yet, is the Golf Variant R-Line. It features a flash body kit, a 110kW/320Nm 2.0 TDI engine and the latest Haldex V all-wheel drive system. Now that is something that sounds like it could be the perfect family planner Variant Estate Wagon.

 

From Volkswagen UK:

Some 20 years after the first Golf Estate made its debut, the all-new Golf Estate is set to make its first public appearance at the Geneva Motor Show.

The new Golf Estate, which like the Golf hatchback is based on the MQB platform, is up to 105 kg lighter than its predecessor, and for the first time will also be available as a full BlueMotion model, with combined fuel consumption of just 85.6 mpg (equivalent to 87 g/km of CO2).

At the business end, the Golf Estate’s boot volume has been expanded from the 505 litres of itspredecessor to 605 litres (loaded up to the back seat backrest). Loaded up to the front seat backrests and under the roof, the new Golf Estate offers a cargo volume of no less than 1,620 litres (versus the 1,495 litres of the Golf Estate Mk VI).

In terms of appearance, the new Golf Estate closely follows the precise lines of the Golf hatchback model. On account of the extra space between the C-pillar and the D-pillar, the ‘classic’ Golf then becomes the Golf Estate; at a length of 4,562 mm, the Golf Estate is 307 mm longer than the hatchback version. Visually, the ‘third’ side window forms a part of the D-pillar, with the result that the new Golf Estate appears sportier than its predecessors.

The Golf Estate BlueMotion, like the Golf BlueMotion hatchback, uses a 1.6-litre diesel engine producing 110 PS, and has a six-speed manual gearbox. The petrol engine line-up for the new Golf Estate starts with a 1.2-litre TSI 105 PS, rising via a 1.4-litre TSI 122 PS unit to a 1.4-litre TSI ACT 140 PS engine with cylinder deactivation. As well as the BlueMotion model, two other common rail diesel-engined models will be available: a 1.6-litre TDI 105 PS and a 2.0-litre TDI 150 PS.

An all-wheel Golf Estate 4MOTION will also be making its debut in Geneva, but there are no plans to sell this model in the UK. UK sales of the new Golf Estate are likely to start in July, with first deliveries in October. Prices and specification will be confirmed closer to the on-sale date.

Fuel consumption and emissions figures are preliminary and subject to confirmation.

 

From Volkswagen AG:

The Golf Estate Concept R-Line – initial facts

Concept car based on the new Golf Estate:

• Golf Estate Concept R-Line celebrates its world premiere in Geneva
• Golf Estate Concept R-Line confirms the dynamic potential of the model range
• Sporty customised exterior design connects it to the world of the GTI

Wolfsburg/Geneva, 05 March 2013 – Just one day after the world premiere of the new Golf Estate, Volkswagen is presenting an especially sporty R-Line version of it: the Golf Estate Concept R-Line. The new Golf Estate has gained quite a bit of autonomy and charisma compared to the predecessor model—at the same time, the Golf Estate Concept R-Line highlights the dynamic potential of the new body version of the Golf. For the first time: There has never been a Golf Estate in R-Line design; so the concept shows for the first time how Volkswagen might envision this version.

On the exterior, the Golf Estate Concept R-Line steps onstage with, among other things, a customised front end, a likewise modified rear, powerful sill trims and new 18-inch R-Line wheels. The interior is characterised by leather sports seats and other elements in carbon fibre look. It is powered by an efficient 110 kW / 150 PS 2.0-litre TDI of the latest construction type. The power of the engine (up to 320 Newton metres) is superbly translated to the road by a 4MOTION all-wheel drive (with new Haldex-5 clutch).

Side profile. The high gloss black sill trims are one eye-catching visual feature of the concept. They extend not only to the side sills that reach right into the wheel housings as usual; rather, they go nearly all the way round. Striking: The “Salvador” type 18-inch R-Line wheels painted in “sterling silver” and the splitters (aerodynamic add-on parts in motor sports style) below the front spoiler, which are also very visible from the side.

Front end. The newly designed bumper in the R-Line design shows a dominant air intake in the middle that is bordered on the bottom by front spoilers painted in body colour (“Lapis Blue Metallic”). The air intake is framed to the left and the right by two diagonal bars also painted in body colour. Outside of them is another air intake on each side with a fog light inserted into them. Underneath are the striking splitters (aerodynamic add-on parts), a visual continuation of the black side sills.

Rear end. The modified design of the rear end is dominated by a sporty and distinctive black diffuser, into which the chrome tailpipes of the exhaust system have been integrated on the left side of the vehicle. The diffuser in turn is framed by the visually all-around continuation of the sill trim. The roof spoiler is likewise built in the R-Line design. The already wide track of the new Golf Estate (1,549 mm in the front, 1,520 mm in the back) and the 18-inch wheel with 225/40 tyres used for the concept car make for a sporty appearance of the rear end, which is in no way inferior to a new Golf GTI or GTD.

Interior. The exclusively designed interior of the Golf Estate Concept R-Line corresponds to the exterior both visually (“Color & Trim”) and in terms of its equipment. Driver and passenger sit on ergonomically designed sport seats. The centre panels of all five seats consist of high-tone nappa leather in “Space Blue.” Black carbon leather has been used for the inner surfaces of the side supports; this leather with its carbon structure look is also featured on the door inlays and outside surfaces of the driver and passenger seat backrest. The other outside surfaces of the seats, the steering wheel and the middle arm rest are kept in black nappa. The designers of the interior opted for “Crystal Grey” for the decorative stitching. In sync with that: the roof liner in “Pearl Grey.” The entry plates and the black floor mats with blue leather piping were also designed in the R-Line style. Another highlight is the interior trim in noble black that follows the Golf Highline.

Boot volume. As sporty as it is, the Golf Estate Concept R-Line impresses with a great amount of space and a boot that is as flexible as it is large. Loaded up to the backrest of the back seat and up to its height, the cargo volume amounts to 605 litres; loaded up to the front seat backrests and under the roof, the new Golf Estate offers a cargo volume of no less than 1,620 litres. No doubt, with such values, the sporty concept car is capable of mastering the majority of all transportation challenges.