VOLKSWAGEN has expanded its popular Golf line-up with the addition of a wagon.
The small, five-seat wagon is available in two grades with a choice of two petrol and turbo-diesel engines, priced from $26,990.
With the growth in popularity of 4WDs in recent years, wagons have tended to fall out of fashion.
But the practical small wagon has enjoyed something of a renaissance in recent times.
Known overseas as the Golf Variant. Volkswagen Australia has, we're glad to say, decided to call a spade and spade and named the new addition the Golf Wagon.
From the front it looks just like any other Golf, but from the back its advantages are obvious.
The drawback of most wagons is that the big empty luggage area tends to become a sounding box, amplifying interior noise.
Because of this, attaining the best possible acoustic properties on the wagon was a top priority for designers.
In this context, the body was equipped with new detailed solutions in a variety of areas.
Highly effective acoustic damping is implemented in the front windscreen, which eliminates nearly all high-frequency noise in the three kHz range that is very typical in vehicles with diesel engines.
In addition, many secondary noises have been eliminated or reduced right at their source.
In particular, this was achieved in all belt drives, the turbocharger and charge air distribution channels as well as in the heating and cooling blower.
The entry level Trendline model is powered by a turbocharged 1.4litre four-cylinder engine that produces 90kW and 200Nm.
Don’t be fooled by the size of this engine because it actually produces more power and torque than the 2.0litre engine that it replaces.
A six-speed manual transmission is standard or you can have the latest, seven-speed direct shift gearbox (DSG) for an extra $2500. The self-shifting DSG box is expensive, but it’s worth it.
The super economical 77kW 1.6litre turbo-diesel is priced from $29,490 with a five-speed manual, followed by the 118kW twin-charged 1.4-litre petrol model at $33,990 and finally the 103kW 2.0litre turbo diesel at $36,490.
The entry level 1.4litre model with the optional DSG offers an economical 6.7 litres/100km, while the 1.6litre diesel uses just 4.7 litres/100km in manual form.
The wagon offers up 1495 litres of load space with the rear seat folded and a cargo net is standard.
With the seat folded the load area measures 1.7m to the back of the driver’s seat.
Maximum width is 1.29m with 1.01m between the wheel arches. Bins offer storage space under the cargo floor and in the side panelling.
A clever red indicator, visible from the front seats, warns if one of the two rear backrests is not fully locked into place when the seat backs are raised.