VW Plans To Unveil Around 2019
Early reports on the next-generation Volkswagen Golf, which is currently in development, indicate some major changes are coming for the compact. Things like including a boost in size, a push upmarket, a lot of hybrids and maybe even a simplified range that ditches the wagon. All of this should be taken with a grain of salt, of course, but according to Autocar, the next generation of the Golf family is in for a major overhaul. The most surprising part of the report is that the three-door and wagon versions of the Golf may be gone for good in both Europe and America, meaning our beloved Alltrack and SportWagen are likely biting the dust, too. Beyond the sad loss of another lovely manual wagon in America, the MK8 Golf will also get a bunch of hybrid powertrains, reportedly including both 12-volt and 48-volt mild hybrid setups. The new hybrid GTI is expected to get a decent power boost over the current model, which is already a hoot to drive.
What鈥檚 weird about the report, though, is that Autocar claims VW is pushing the Golf upmarket, and it will grow in size to grab shoppers downsizing from the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes C-Class. In the VW family this move is also said to help avoid overlap with Skoda, but here in America that鈥檚 not a problem we have. You know what else has more cargo space than the current Golf? The Golf鈥檚 wagon variants. I don鈥檛 really understand how many current 3 Series and C-Class owners will be desperate to turn to the VW Golf, so we鈥檒l see how that pans out. It does fit the trend of just about every classic model abandoning its roots and growing in size and premium offering, only to be replaced by a larger, more expensive new model in the space it used to occupy.D. VW plans to unveil around 2020. The interior is expected to get a very digital upgrade as well, and apparently will be devoid of buttons and full of screens. Interestingly, despite the hybrid setups, Autocar hints that a manual option will still be available, at least in Europe, so let鈥檚 hope it carries over to America鈥檚 GTI model, too. Please don鈥檛 take everything away from us.
It is wider than most, including the X5 and M Class and the lower roof line emphasises this. This makes it incredibly stable off-road but on the down side means it does not sit in the ruts but just runs the edges. On road the standard steel suspension gives a taught ride. The six speed gearbox, designed for the V10 diesel to handle the huge amount of torque, is used across the range. With three driving options it offers something for all driving styles. Leaving the tarmac way behind you and venturing into the unknown the Touareg continues to shine. With a two speed transfer case the Touareg walks away from the X5 or the Freelander and steps firmly on the toes of the Range Rover. The 4XMOTION system allows optimum levels of traction. Selecting 鈥楲ow鈥?results in activation of the automatic central differential lock, which continuously checks for loss of traction and adjusts front/rear power distribution accordingly.
There is also the facility to manually lock the centre diff and the optional lockable axle differentials which were not on the test car. Once in Low and driving in 鈥榤anual鈥?mode the V6 had a few surprises in store鈥?Most auto鈥檚 won鈥檛 move without throttle at this point, the Touareg crept around at idle, exactly what you need. The shape of the front makes it difficult to see the (hypothetical) corners but it is still easy to place with such engine control as is usually reserved for diesel and manual transmission. Volkswagen designed the vehicle with pedestrian safety in mind and the resultant 鈥榥ose鈥?does restrict its off-road ability, though by no more than many of its rivals. Underneath most components are tucked up into the floor pan giving a flat underside. The most vulnerable items being the rear exhaust box, which forms the limit of the departure angle, and the front spoiler which, whilst flexible and able to take a knock, is easy to catch. The steel sprung model has respectable but not stunning wheel articulation but the electronic differential control system ensures that drive is distributed to the wheels with traction ensuring you can keep moving with only two wheels on the ground. With all electronics and even the front headlights sealed from water the Touareg will wade to 500mm, I suspect that much deeper than this and the watertight seals will cause floatation long before the water damages anything. In conclusion, Volkswagen may be one of the last major manufacturers to enter the 4x4 market, but they haven鈥檛 done the job half-heartedly. The Touareg is firstly a luxury car and aimed at this market, but it is also a very capable off-road vehicle. It makes no pretences, it just does the job to a level far beyond that which most of us will require.
