For each type of customer has a model in the Volkswagen range, the Golf Variant 4Motion counting on a very small audience.

The Volkswagen Golf Variant is not the most conspicuous car in car country, he must put the thumb in terms of publicity for the hatchback version and is not the most exciting looks. Still, the Golf Variant in recent years prominent in the street there are lower cost and more compact dimensions compared to the Passat Variant are undoubtedly something to do. The Golf Variant is certainly not tight break, with a maximum load of 1495 liters is 235 liters but because the trunk is smaller than that of the Passat Variant, and also in terms of space in the rear of the Golf Variant need not be ashamed .


Driving a Volkswagen always feels a bit like coming home, and that is not otherwise in the Golf Variant. The car will benefit from the changes to the interior of the Golf VI received, just inside the doors were finished differently. The whole looks very tight and was clearly put together properly, go all the functions of the car operated very intuitive and you will never get lost in a knoppenzee. The chairs are very comfortable and can easily be adjusted to the desired position. Our test model was equipped with the RNS 510 navigation system, we like the best system in its class to make. The system can be operated with push buttons and the touch screen operated and is extremely simple. The visualizations are very clear so you never ambiguous evidence presented will receive. The RNS 510 houses in the same intuitive way the audio portion of the car.

We drove the Golf Variant 1.6 TDI with the 1.9 TDI in the range, cast, this little diesel is good for 105 hp and 250 Nm of torque and is immediately available with 4Motion all-wheel drive. There is a problem in our view also marks the shoe, because the four-wheel drive system does not help right away to improve acceleration times. While a standard Golf Variant 1.6 TDI with 11.9 seconds from zero to 100 km / h sprint, the Golf Variant 4Motion same in 13.1 seconds. More than a precious seconds it seems, because the Golf Variant 4Motion often seems to wander into traffic ahead. If you know that the diesel range of the Golf Variant 2.0 TDI also contains a 136 or 140 hp then you understand why that is not equipped with 4Motion and may be little or 1.6 TDI. We drove the 1.6 TDI which is already in the Passat BlueMotion and were well pleased with the engine, very economical consumption figures on the board could conjure. Economical consumption of which we found was missing in the Golf Variant 4Motion, because the car has at least 6.6 liters per 100 kilometers is not immediately necessary and the most economical.

The usefulness of the Golf Variant 4Motion us spent, but there are really any number of situations in which it could be a useful complement. Thus the Gulf Variant 4Motion 1500 kg pull up a gradient of 12 percent, which is 100 kilos more than the 1.6 TDI. But if we look at the figures for the 2.0 TDI look, we notice that the 1.6 TDI 4Motion as to 1,500 kilograms may be drawn, and the 2.0 TDI 136 hp drives are certainly a lot smoother than the 4Motion. Another advantage of the 4Motion system is the grip that you have at any time on any kind of surface. But there is some of them to crack, since the body of the Golf Variant 4Motion no means is provided on an offroad trip. Ultimately there is only one conceivable situation where the Golf Variant 4Motion a useful buy. Who often pulls a cart on a twisty, hilly course can take advantage of it, only then would we prefer a bit more power and go away for a real SUV.

About the usefulness of the Golf Variant 4Motion we can endlessly debate, but apart from those in our previously useless feature is the Golf Variant course a very interesting car to drive. The gearbox in our case (4Motion) has six gears turn very smoothly and the overall handling of the Golf Variant is not really very comfortable to be sloppy. The car is also noticeably well insulated, you barely hear the engine and driving noise itself to a minimum. Finally is the best visibility, the relatively high visibility windows help a lot in advance. That makes the Golf Variant best a comfortable car for everyday use and even an interesting alternative to the Passat Variant, even those who often do many kilometers.

The Golf Variant is a series of engine options. When gasoline is a 1.4 petrol with 80 hp to slip further we find the 1.2 TSI with 105 horsepower that we have tested earlier in the Yeti and the 1.4 TSI with 122 or 160 hp. Along diesel side, a 1.6 TDI with 90 hp to slip further, you can choose between a version with 105 hp, both standard with BlueMotion package and with 4Motion is sold and a 2.0 TDI with 136 or 140 hp for sale. The latter helps the Golf Variant of 0 to 100 km / h in 9.7 seconds and would have enough on average to 5 liters of diesel per 100 km. The Golf Variant 1.6 TDI BlueMotion is the most economical choice, with a consumption of 4.2 litres/100 km.

You already have a Volkswagen Golf Variant from 18,620 euros, but you'll have to settle for the 1.4 petrol with 80 hp Trendline version. The base price for the 1.6 TDI with 105 hp is 21,120 euros and 23,739 euros Trendline implementation in Highline version. Who pays 4Motion it deems necessary or 23.860 and 25.490 euros. That or a surcharge of 2740 and 1751 euros, depending on the equipment package. Tick on the option list we also have some important options. So you pay for the RNS 510 GPS 2883 euro cost parking sensors front and rear 537.24 Euro and you add a light and vision module which includes automatic lights and wipers 169.40 euros but down. That brings the total price of the Golf Variant 4Motion with these options at 29,316 euros, so he clocked higher than off the Passat Variant BlueMotion we have previously tested. About four-wheel drive, however necessary, is that the Golf Variant 4Motion for an acceptable price to order.

Conclusion

The Golf Variant 4Motion wagon is located on a very specific target audience and therefore will not fit into everyone's living environment. The coupling of a light diesel four-wheel drive calls in any case because the questions on the performance and it is not immediately used should be the ability to control. Who often have to pull a cart on a twisty, hilly and sometimes unpaved trail, and there is not an SUV for immediate need, the Volkswagen Golf Variant 4Motion correctly. But who really wants to spread its offroad capabilities exhibited better opt for a model who specifically designed for this.

Summary

+ Comfortable car
+ Smooth six-speed switching
+ Large trunk

+ - Utility 4Motion?

- Power consumption 6.6 litres/100 km
- Slow acceleration figures 4Motion

Text and Photographs: Pieter-Jan Scheir

(Source: http://www.groenlicht.be)