2013 Geneva: Volkswagen unveils 2014 Golf Variant at Geneva, essentially a Golf wagon

Volkswagen is still on a roll with debuting its additional variants to the all-new Mk7 Golf generation and the latest one to roll onto the stage is the all-new 2014 Volkswagen Golf Variant. In essence, it is a Golf that was stretched into a longer estate form.

The new 2014 Volkswagen Golf Variant weighs less than its outgoing predecessor by 232lbs. Under the hoot sits the option of two turbocharged engines, one gasoline and one diesel, varying in output. The gasoline unit is Volkswagen’s EA211 1.2L TSI Bluemotion four-banger good for 84hp, 104hp, 121hp, and 139hp. The diesel is Volkswagen’s EA288 turbocharged four-pot good for 104hp, 109hp, and 149hp.

Volkswagen didn’t say whether the US will be getting the Golf Variant specifically, though it does serve as a good pointer as to what to possible expect for a potential new Volkswagen Jetta estate for our shores as the Jetta is essentially a sedan Golf, and vice-versa.

For full details, check out the press release after the jump. Sales are slated to begin in August of this year for Europe.

VW Golf Variant

At the 2013 Geneva International Motor Show, Volkswagen presented the new Golf Variant for the first time. This signifies that Europe’s most successful carmaker is extending the range of its compact bestseller in line with the previous generation to include a versatile estate car. As in the case of the classic hatchback Golf, the weight of the Estate could be reduced significantly. The new Golf is up to 105 kg lighter than its predecessor! For the first time in the history of the Golf Estate, Volkswagen is also offering this model (performance range 63 kW / 85 PS to 110 kW / 150 PS) as an independent and extremely fuel-efficient TDI BlueMotion. The 81 kW / 110 PS Golf Estate that comes with a 6-speed gearbox in this case is the most fuel-efficient Volkswagen Estate of all time, with a combined fuel consumption of 3.3 l/100 km (equivalent to 87 g/km CO2). The all-wheel drive Golf Estate 4Motion will likewise be celebrating its premiere in Geneva; it will be available as TDI in two performance levels with 77 kW / 105 PS and 110 kW / 150 PS. And Volkswagen has a Golf Estate TGI BlueMotion with natural gas drive (CNG) in the pipeline.

Boot volume with more than 100 litres. The first generation of the Golf Estate was launched on the market exactly 20 years ago. More than 1.8 million units have been sold of this practical version since then. Today, the new Golf Estate is a sporty and elegant all-round vehicle that combines low fuel consumption values and yet dynamic driving performance with premium quality and versatility. Thus the boot volume has been expanded from 505 litres to an astonishing 605 litres (loaded up to the back seat backrest). Loaded up to the front seat backrests and under the roof, the new Golf Estate offers a cargo volume of no less than 1,620 litres (predecessor: 1,495 litres). The cargo area up to the back seat is 1,055 mm long; up to the front seat backrests, the length is 1,831; the lowest width of the boot is an imposing 1,003 mm; and the boot sill is only a convenient 630 mm high – no doubt, with such values, the Golf Estate is capable of mastering the majority of all transportation challenges. In terms of equipment, the estate car features for the first time a roller blind with a two-step roll-up mechanism as luggage space cover; when not needed, the roller blind, like the net partition, can be stored under the cargo floor. In addition, the height of the cargo floor can be adjusted in the new Golf Estate; or it can be locked in place in various positions or completely dismantled. The remote unlatching of the rear backrests in the boot and the folding backrest itself have also been completely redesigned and are thus even more practical and easier to use. Also new on board the boot: four bag hooks.

The Volkswagen Golf Estate makes an even more striking and sportier impression. In terms of the exterior, the Golf Estate – with 4,562 mm, 307 mm longer than the hatchback – follows the precise and impressive lines of the Golf hatchback model up to the border of the front door. From the B-pillars onward, however, the most autonomous Volkswagen Golf Estate since the model range exists emerges by dint of purposeful design modifications and extra space.

Distinctive C-pillar becomes D-pillar. One glance at the rear makes it clear: Right from the outset, the estate car has been a member of the model range – so the new Estate was not derived from the four-door vehicle but was developed in tandem with it. That’s why the silhouette of the new Golf Estate shows particularly distinctive lines. Nevertheless, as autonomous as it is, the Estate can be recognized as a Golf at first glance. Background: The designers for the first time succeeded in transferring the shape of the C-pillar, which is like a drawn bow and is typical of the classic Golf, to the D-pillar of the Estate; visually, the “third” side window forms a part of the D-pillar.

Moreover, in contrast to the classic Golf, the so-called character line is picked up again behind the rear wheel arches and carried completely over the rear of the vehicle. This design lends the rear an even more muscular appearance. The precise window sill (upgraded by a chrome trim in the top version), the long side window area and the slightly rearward-sloping roof including roof spoiler underscore this dynamism. As a consequence, the silhouette of the new Golf looks longer, more exclusive, more powerful and sportier. A roof rail that’s optionally available or, depending on the equipment line, a standard feature, was integrated elegantly into the silhouette.

In addition, the proportions of the new Volkswagen make for a high degree of sportiness; here it’s the wheel base in particular that’s been increased from 2,578 mm to 2,637 mm in comparison to the predecessor and the crisp and short body overhangs that lend the Volkswagen Golf Variant its pronounced dynamic character.

Typical Golf, also from the rear. The new two-part tail lights of the Golf Estate emphasise its family affiliation to the model range and the brand. The half of the tail light that’s integrated in the boot lid, however, is bigger than in the hatchback version and forms a longer parallel line with the graphic of the boot lid in the lower area. In addition, a clear-cut difference between the Volkswagen Golf Estate and the “classic” Golf exists in the design of the middle part of boot lid and bumpers: Whereas the licence number of the hatchback model is in the bumper, the designers of the Golf Estate decided to integrate it with the boot lid again – analogously to the predecessor of the estate car.

Golf Estate TDI BlueMotion with independent features. The Volkswagen Golf Estate will be available in the Trendline, Comfortline and Highline equipment lines. The new Golf Estate TDI BlueMotion will be offered in Trendline and Comfortline. The TDI BlueMotion is different from the other models in the range both visually and technically. Viewed from the front, the most fuel-efficient model of the range with a combined fuel consumption of 3.3 l/100 km can be distinguished by a partially closed radiator grille screen. At the rear, it’s the so-called flaps on the rear window rim identifying the Golf Estate as TDI BlueMotion. In addition, the efficiency model is equipped with optimised underbody and wheel well panelling, a ground clearance that has been reduced by 15 mm and super low rolling resistance tyres. There are TDI BlueMotion monograms on the front, back and side of the body, which is optionally painted in the exclusive colour of “Clearwater Blue metallic.”

With Stop/Start system and Automatic Post-Collision Braking System. Like all new Golf cars, the Estate is equipped with a Stop/Start system and battery regeneration mode. As the first estate car in its class worldwide, it also has the new Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, which automatically slows down the vehicle when it is involved in an accident in order to reduce further its residual kinetic energy. The standard features include already in the basic version:

• airbags (seven)
• electrically adjustable wing mirrors
• outside temperature display
• chrome rings around the interior vents
• eco-HMI (fuel consumption-related information on the multi-function display / instruments)
• electronic stabilisation programme
• height-adjustable driver’s seat
• electric windows in the front and rear
• rear window wiper with intermittent setting
• air conditioning
• steering column with height and length adjustment
• centre console with storage compartment
• electronic parking brake with auto-hold function
• XDS differential lock
• tyre pressure monitoring indicator
• asymmetrically split and folding rear seat backrests, with remote unlocking
• electro-mechanical power-assist steering
• dust and pollen filter
• daytime running lights
• touchscreen with 5-inch TFT display
• green-tinted insulating glass
• central locking with wireless remote control

Premium class features for the compact class Moreover, as a new feature, there will be the PreCrash preventive occupant protection system available for the new Golf Estate. If this system detects a potential accident situation, the seatbelts of the driver and front passenger are automatically pre-tensioned to ensure the best possible protection by the airbag and belt system. When an even more critical situation is on hand, such as severe oversteer or understeer with ESC intervention, the side windows are closed (except for a small gap) and so is the sunroof. When the windows and roof are nearly closed, the head and side airbags offer optimal energy absorption and thereby achieve their best possible effectiveness.

Moreover, a broad range of high-tech systems is on offer for the Estate. They cover technologies like Front Assist including City Emergency Braking function; Automatic Distance Control (ACC); Lane Assist; Driver Alert system; road sign recognition and the latest generation of the Park Assist; as well as the automated light functions Light Assist and Dynamic Light Assist. More new systems have been added: progressive steering, a driving profile selector of up to five modes (“Eco,” “Sport,” “Normal,” “Individual” and, in combination with DCC plus “Comfort,” available for the first time in the Golf Estate); a newly developed ergonomic sport seat (ergoActive seat); a guard against using the wrong fuel in the diesels; a new deluxe climate windscreen that is also a first in this segment as well as a new generation of information and entertainment systems.

Infotainment and entertainment. All infotainment and entertainment systems of the Volkswagen Golf Estate are equipped with a touchscreen as standard. The new device generation is available in six extension levels and in three different display sizes: 5 inches, 5.8 inches and 8 inches. Starting with 5.8 inches, Volkswagen uses displays that have proximity sensors: as soon as the driver or front passenger moves a finger near to the touchscreen, the system automatically switches from display mode to input mode. The displays also have a function that lets users scroll through lists or browse CD covers in the media library with a wipe of the hand. A high-end sound system by Dynaudio as well as two telephone interfaces (“Comfort” and “Premium”) are optionally available.

Seven charged direct-injection engines. Just like the new Golf hatchback, the Golf Estate uses two completely newly developed engine generations. As mentioned in the beginning, all seven ver-sions are fitted as standard with a Stop/Start system (reducing fuel consumption by up to four per cent) and battery regeneration mode (cutting CO2 by around three per cent). The new Volkswagen Golf Estate has either a 5-speed or 6-speed gearbox, depending on the engine. Most of the TSI and TDI engines may also be combined with an automatic dual-clutch gearbox (DSG).

The petrol engines (TSI of the EA211 engine series) produce 63 kW / 85 PS, 77 kW / 105 PS, 90 kW / 122 PS and 103 kW / 140 PS. All the engines in the Golf Estate are efficient. The 1.2 TSI BlueMotion Technology with 77 kW, for example: With its agile engine, the estate uses only 5.1 l/100 km (DSG: 5.0 l/100 km); and yet it accelerates to 193 km/h, if required.

The new diesel engines (TDIs of the EA288 engine series), of course, propel the Volkswagen Golf Estate extremely efficiently. The power range of the three high-tech diesels: 77 kW / 105 PS, 81 kW / 110 PS and 110 kW / 150 PS. Not only the 110 PS TDI BlueMotion version with 3,3 l/100 km is very fuel-efficient in this context. Even the 320 Nm 110 kW TDI approximates the magic 4 litre mark with 4.2 l/100 km. 

– By: Chris Chin