On Monday, I headed out to scenic Middleburg, Virginia for the 2015 Volkswagen Full-Line Drive. As the morning sun basked across the Virginia countryside, I couldn't wait to hit the road. Read on for an up-close look at the e-Golf, which is set to hit the market in November. At first glance, the car doesn't look much different from the original Golf hatchback, which has been in VW's portfolio for 40 years. A few differentiating factors: The e-Golf's front and rear bumpers were redesigned for improved aerodynamics; it features LED headlights in a unique C-shape; and, if you look closely, you'll notice it doesn't have a tailpipe. After a few quick looks (and moment or two to snap pictures, of course), it was finally time to drive. After a brief scuffle trying to get the motor running, my test ride partner and I were ready to roll. I had dibs on the first leg of the trip, and within a few minutes, I was pleasantly surprised by the smooth ride.
I've had the chance to test drive a few EVs in recent years, and 'smooth' isn't always the operative word when it came to driving experience. In some cases, the ride can be downright jerky, especially for a first-time driver, as regenerative braking systems kick on and the vehicle abruptly downshifts to send energy back into the battery. The e-Golf, however, provides a fairly seamless experience, hugging the curves of Middleburg's country roads and slowing down gradually as I lift my foot from the accelerator -- saving energy without sending us jolting toward the dashboard. The e-Golf has a fairly modest 115 horsepower, but its best-in-class torque of 199 foot-pounds really revs up the fun. As I punch the accelerator, the peppy e-Golf takes off and pushes us back in our seats. While it's by no means a racing car (it takes about 10 seconds to go from zero-to-60), it's noticeably quicker than the average hatchback or mid-size sedan -- which is probably enough for the average driver, myself included.
” modes. Eco mode decreases the output of the air conditioner, which we didn't even notice on this pleasant summer day, and limits power by about 15 to 20 percent while increasing battery range. It caps speed at 55 miles-per-hour and deactivates most of the air conditioner compressor functions. Depending on your driving style, you can gain 10 to 20 miles of range in these modes, which can also help you get out of a jam if battery power is running low. Drivers can also choose from three regenerative braking modes, meaning you can almost drive without using the brake pedal. These settings can take some getting used to -- and may send you into that jerky territory -- but they can also increase battery range by up to 20 miles, especially in the stop-and-go driving environment of the city. While we had the pleasure of cruising around in 75-degree temperatures, some testers still had questions about winter driving -- a common concern with EVs. Compared to other mass-market EVs that tap out at around 40 miles of battery range, the e-Golf is much more realistic for the average driver.
When asked if the company plans to release an extended-range model, Volkswagen's product strategy team said yes -- but not for a while. Wade Harris, e-Mobility program specialist for Volkswagen of America. That said, if you're driving in the city, a 70- to 90-mile range is more than sufficient -- especially when you factor in the regenerative braking. However, as is always the case for city-dwellers considering an EV, it really only makes sense if you have the ability to charge up at home or work. Volkswagen also offers a holistic package for folks experiencing range anxiety. In addition to the partnership with Bosch for home chargers, e-Golf drivers will have access to more than 18,000 ChargePoint stations around the U.S. The e-Golf will also have its own dedicated app, called VW Car-Net e-Golf. In addition to monitoring things like miles driven, journey time and estimated electric motor power consumption, the app allows users to plan out their days based on where charging stations are available. If that's not enough, a complimentary roadside assistance program will pick a driver up if he or she runs out of juice. As with basically every electric vehicle on the market today, the e-Golf may not be right for everyone. But after testing it out for myself, I'd say it's worth going for a spin at your local dealership. You may just fall in love like I did.
In terms of a constructive inner door panel, together with so-called hybrid laths serves as a load of construction. At these laths and establishes the outer panel. The Volkswagen Golf 3 Door Design individual as fingerprints. One of the secrets of World Volkswagen Golf 3 Door success is that he has always distinguished the original design. This style improved over four generations, and now one can say that the brand has established Volkswagen Golf 3 Door car with “absolute protection against forgery. The new Volkswagen Golf 3 Door, continuing the tradition of unique design, is the most significant leap in the evolution of visual-as well as from a technical standpoint. Teams of designers managed to form a vivid and dynamic image of the Volkswagen Golf 3 Door, in which the emotional emphasis put in perspective. In front of the design there are new elements of the catch: dual round headlights with a cross located direction indicators as the Phaeton, “typical” tapered to the center of the front.
