Volkswagen launches all new Golf Sportsvan

The seventh generation Golf made its debut in 2012 followed by its sportier versions - the Golf GTI and the Golf R - in 2013 and 2014 respectively.

The range was recently completed by the e-Golf as well as the Golf GTE. But before the latter appears on the market, Volkswagen is continuing its product offensive in the compact class with the new Golf Sportsvan, which enters the segment of compact MPVs.

The Golf Sportsvan succeeds the popular Golf Plus (previously not in our local market) and was created as the third body version of the Golf series featuring the popular modular transverse matrix (MQB) as its technical base.

Thanks to this design layout, it was possible to extend the body over its 2,685mm wheelbase, which is 107mm longer than that of the Golf Plus and around 50mm longer as compared to the Golf.

This enables the Golf Sportsvan to be equipped with an interior that is as versatile as it is sophisticated.

A key characteristic of the Golf Sportsvan is the standard 60:40 split rear bench that features individual longitudinal adjustment of its sections.

The entire three-seat bench can be adjusted up to 180mm in a fore-aft direction (20mm more than its predecessor). This allows for more cargo space - 500 litres to be exact - with all seats up (76 litres more than the Golf Plus).

The new Golf Sportsvan also features Volkswagen's driving profile selector with DCC Adaptive Chassis Control system as well as other intelligent assistance systems such as Blind Spot Monitor and Rear Traffic Alert.

At launch, two petrol variants and one diesel variant are offered. The popular 1.4-litre TSI engine will be offered with 125bhp and 200Nm of torque as well as a more powerful 150bhp version with 250Nm of torque. Both petrol models are equipped with a seven-speed DSG transmission as standard.

On the other hand, the 2.0-litre TDI engine, mated to a six-speed DSG transmission, will pump out 150bhp and an impressive 340Nm of torque. More importantly, it boasts excellent fuel efficiency of 23.3km/L and CO₂ emissions of 112g/km.

The Golf Sportsvan is expected to arrive on our shores in the first quarter of 2015.