Previewed by a discreet concept introduced in Geneva last March, the production variant of the e-Golf will be available as both a three-door and a five-door hatchback. Save for a model-specific front bumper with C-shaped air intakes and extra badges all around, the EV will look the same as its gasoline-burning counterpart, enabling it to keep a low profile.
In its transition to an EV, the Golf will lose almost an inch of ground clearance and gain a set of low-rolling resistance tires.
Inside, the e-Golf will feature a bespoke instrument cluster that incorporates a charge gauge, as well as a touch screen mounted on the center stack that allows the driver to access vital information about the car. The rest of the interior is not expected to change.
Italian magazine Quattroruote reports power will come from an electric motor mounted in the engine bay that makes 115 horsepower and 270 lb-ft. of torque. It will get electricity from a lithium-ion battery pack developed jointly with Siemens that will be located under the rear seats and under the trunk floor. The two components will add about 440 pounds to the Golf’s weight.
The driver will be able to pick between three different driving modes: Normal, Eco, and Range. When the first mode is selected, the car has a maximum driving range of 108 miles and a top speed of 83 mph. The second mode limits the engine’s output to 95 horsepower and the top speed to 75 mph. The third mode limits the speed to 59 mph and shuts down the A/C in order to preserve as much energy as possible.
Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn previously hinted that the EV will retail for over €40,000 in Europe, a figure which converts to roughly $53,000. Pricing information for the United States will be released closer to its launch.
Official details about Volkswagen’s first-ever battery-powered Golf will be released in the coming days.
Leave a Reply