Golf gets the whole box and dice

The appeal of Volkswagen's Golf just picked up another notch. For those who like the Golf hatch, but found it a bit short of space, VW has just the car for you.

The newly launched Golf wagon is roughly 400mm longer than the hatch and that has liberated an extra 155 litres of luggage capacity, without the need to fold down the rear seat. By folding the rear seat down, the luggage capacity of the Golf wagon increases from 505 litres to 1495 litres.

Although the new body style is longer overall, it's built on the same wheelbase of 2574mm, so vital stats like legroom and turning circle are the same as for the hatch. As we revealed in our previous news story, the wagon is actually a development of the now-superseded fifth-generation Golf hatch, not the current sixth-gen model.

Volkswagen is selling the wagon here in two levels of trim -- Trendline and Comfortline -- with the effective choice of four engines.

As the base model, priced from $26,990, the Golf Wagon Trendline is powered by the 90kW turbocharged TSI petrol engine (in 1.4-litre capacity) driving through the standard six-speed manual transmission. The same vehicle with the seven-speed DSG transmission costs $29,490. That same price will secure the Golf Wagon 77TDI Trendline with five-speed manual transmission. Basically, that's the same level of specification, but with a 77kW 1.6-litre turbodiesel. The seven-speed DSG option for that variant takes the price up to $31,990.

That then leaves two higher-spec Comfortline variants; one with a 118TSI 'twincharger' petrol engine/seven-speed DSG combination the other with a 103TDI turbodiesel engine coupled to a six-speed DSG box. The former is priced at $33,990 and the latter $36,490.

Engines and transmissions are basically as specified for the Golf hatch models already sold through Volkswagen's dealer network in Australia.

Standard equipment for Trendline variants comprises: multi-function display/trip computer, 'Titanium' decorative interior trim, daytime running lights, stability control, body-colour door handles/mirrors, semi-automatic climate control, electric windows, electrically-adjustable/heated mirrors, remote central locking and roof rails.

The Comfortline specification builds on this with 16-inch alloy wheels, 'Comfort' front seats, chrome trim inside and out, plus leather trim for the three-spoke multi-function steering wheel, gearshift knob and handbrake lever.

Key to pics: Golf Wagon Comfortline 118TSI (red car), Golf Wagon Comfortline 103TDI (blue car)

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