It's not just your everyday Golf

No longer just the domain for too-cool-for-school petrolheads, daredevil boy racers and Formula One driver wannabes, going green and electric is the next big thing.

I mean, you've got the beard, the Elton John glasses, the vintage T-Shirt, and probably the latest tablet slid neatly into a messenger bag. But to a teenager, you are merely another old dude. It's tough trying to stay hip. That's true for people and it's also true for the automotive industry.

Perhaps that's one of the reasons why Facebook bought a messaging app for $19 billion.

But despite all that is said and done, it seems no other carmaker has set a better example other than Volkswagen. The German marque seems pretty clear that electric technology is the most sensible choice for the future and is working hard to establish its placement in that particular segment.

The latest iteration of the seventh generation Golf is all electric and it's no bad thing, considering it looks like a strong contender to the likes of the BMW i3 and even the Nissan Leaf.

Externally, it looks pretty similar to the regular Golf, albeit looking more futuristic, thanks to a pair of eye-catching C-shaped LED running lights, a unique grille with space age blue accents and 17-inch aerodynamically-looking alloy wheels.

On the inside, the dashboard is Golf-familiar, but in place of the tacho, there's a power meter that shows the energy flow and power usage. Of course, the cabin also gets a handful of changes that includes a touchscreen display that shows a range monitor and an energy flow indicator too.

According to the carmaker, the e-Golf is capable of 270Nm of twisting force and 85kW (114bhp) and will accelerate to the 100km/h mark in 10.4 seconds before reaching an electronically limited top speed of 140km/h.

On the move, you can alter the e-Golf's behaviour to your driving style via three driving modes - Normal, Eco and Eco Plus. You can also toggle between four regenerative braking settings - D1, D2, D3 and B. Naturally, the more aggressive the braking mode, the more the e-Golf's driving range can be extended.

In terms of the car's driveability, the 318kg of lithium-ion batteries are mounted low beneath the rear benches, which gives the e-Golf great handling characteristics. Plus, with the typical Golf ride, you can imagine how sound the electric car is.

In a way, the holistic strategy Volkswagen is taking demands respect. It aims to achieve some 95g of CO₂ by 2020 and prioritises emissions, innovation and affordability in its electric cars. Perhaps the best electric cars go far beyond sustainability. It's an approach that doesn't sacrifice driveability and, in a way, it's a manner of looking at the world.