The eighth-generation Volkswagen Golf range has just gotten a bit more practical.
Images of the new Golf Wagon and Golf Alltrack have been revealed in Europe, ahead of an Australian sales launch starting in the first quarter of 2021 alongside regular hatch and GTI models.
When asked for further detail regarding timing for both standard wagon and Alltrack variants, VW Australia said, “We’re considering which wagon variants to import, given that sales thereof are these days marginal”.
Update, 7:15pm 9/9/20: The full press kit for the Volkswagen Golf Wagon and Alltrack has been uploaded to the company’s global press portal. We’ve updated with new high-res imagery and added extra details.
Compared to the outgoing Mk7 Golf Wagon – also known as the ‘Estate’ and ‘Variant’ in other markets – the new model has a 66mm longer wheelbase (now 2686mm), affording 48mm more rear legroom.
Behind the second row of seats is more luggage capacity too, increasing by six litres up to 611L. With the rear bench folded, there’s 1642L of space, a 22L improvement.
In terms of design, the Golf Wagon is identical to the hatchback up to the B-pillars, with the sloping roofline extending into a sportback-style tailgate with its own unique look compared to the hatch.
Available luggage area amenities including bag hooks, 12V and 230V power sockets (optional depending on variant), as well as an optional electrically-extending tow bar. There’s also an available electric tailgate with gesture control.
The new Golf Alltrack builds on this further by adding contrast body cladding, front and rear skid plate inserts, a raised ride height, and unique trimmings inside and out. It also appears to get the flag-style LED fog light arrangement of the performance Golf models.
According to European reports, the new Alltrack will be able to tow up to 2000kg “on a 12 per cent slope”, though the powertrain line-up is yet to be confirmed.
The new Alltrack will, however, come with 4Motion all-wheel drive as standard, despite the related Skoda Octavia Scout offering an entry-level front-wheel drive option in its domestic European market.
Shown here in sporty R-Line guise and in eye-catching red, the standard Golf Wagon will be available with a similar range of turbocharged petrol and diesel engines as the related hatchback.
This includes three- and four-cylinder petrol and diesel motors ranging from 1.0-litre to 2.0-litres in displacement, as well as the option of manual and DSG dual-clutch automatic transmissions.
Certain models, such as the 1.5-litre turbo petrol, will be offered with ‘eTSI’ 48V mild-hybrid technology in certain markets, while TDI diesels will get dual AdBlue injection including twin-dosing selective catalytic reduction (SCR). Volkswagen claims this makes its new TDI engines some of the “cleanest and most efficient” in the world.
The Volkswagen Golf Wagon – or Golf Variant in its homeland – has sold more than 3 million units worldwide since its introduction in 1993, with this Mk8 model becoming the fifth iteration.
Last month, we published images of a Golf R Wagon prototype, appearing to confirm the upcoming release of another flagship performance model.
Volkswagen’s local division said while the Golf R Wagon wasn’t locked in for Australia just yet, normal versions of the wagon will arrive alongside the hatchback (including GTI) in the first quarter of 2021. Order books in Germany open tomorrow (September 10), with other European markets to follow in the coming months.
European reports speculate a Golf GTE Wagon could also debut in the coming months, featuring the hatchback’s 180kW/400Nm 1.4-litre PHEV drivetrain.
Stay tuned to CarExpert for all the latest.
