New Volkswagen Golf Alltrack model to make debut at Paris show
When Volkswagen introduced the Passat Alltrack, it closed the gap between the on-road and off-road worlds. Now Volkswagen is transferring this concept to another vehicle class with the new Golf Alltrack.
The new Volkswagen Golf Alltrack
When Volkswagen introduced the Passat Alltrack, it closed the gap between the on-road and off-road worlds. Now Volkswagen is transferring this concept to another vehicle class with the new Golf Alltrack.
Europe’s largest carmaker is celebrating the world premiere of this all-wheel drive model at the Mondial de l’Automobile in Paris next week (2 to 19 October). Technical and visual properties of the Golf Alltrack include a 4MOTION all-wheel drive system, higher ground clearance, wheel arch mouldings and flared side sills that offer body protection, newly designed bumpers and many other independent exterior and interior features.
Power units are a TSI petrol engine and three diesel engines, all powerful turbocharged direct injection units. The 1.8-litre TSI with 180 PS is an entirely new addition to the Golf range. Diesel units will comprise a 1.6-litre TDI with 110 PS, plus two 2.0-litre TDI engines with 150 and 184 PS. The versions with 180 PS and 184 PS transfer their power to the all-wheel drive system via a standard six-speed dual clutch gearbox (DSG).
The new Golf Alltrack was designed for good performance on both asphalt and light off-road terrain. The 4MOTION all-wheel drive system is the technical foundation here, equipped with the latest generation Haldex coupling, which activates even before slip occurs and prevents nearly all losses in traction thanks to a proactive control. Under relatively low engine load conditions, or when coasting, forward propulsion comes primarily from the front axle, while the rear axle is decoupled. This basic drive layout saves on fuel. If necessary, the rear axle can be variably engaged within fractions of a second. This is done by the Haldex-5 coupling, which is activated via an electro-hydraulic oil pump. A control unit continually adjusts the ideal drive torque for the rear axle and controls how much the multi-plate clutch should engage by activating the oil pump. If necessary, nearly 100 per cent of the drive torque can be directed to the rear axle.
EDS and XDS. In addition to the Haldex coupling that acts as a longitudinal lock, the four-wheel EDS system – operating as an electronic differential lock that is integrated in the ESC electronic stability control system – assumes the role of a differential lock at both axles. The Golf Alltrack is also equipped with XDS at the front and rear axles. It optimises steering response by braking the wheels on the inside of a bend during fast driving. As soon as the electronics detect excessively reduced load at one of the wheels on the inside of a bend, the hydraulic unit of the ESC system applies brake pressure to this wheel to restore optimal traction.
Offroad driving profile and off-road suspension. The combination of the up to 20 mm higher ground clearance, “Offroad” driving profile and 4MOTION four-wheel drive system give the newest Golf off-road driving traits that are typical of an SUV. The “Offroad” driving profile activates a hill descent function (automatically brakes the car), modified accelerator pedal characteristic and off-road configuration of the ABS system (modified control interval when braking forms desirable wedge of gravel in front of wheels).
The Golf Alltrack not only offers exceptionally good off-road properties and active safety benefits; it is also an ideal towing vehicle, designed to handle trailer loads of up to 2,000 kg (braked on 12 % incline)
As mentioned, the new Golf Alltrack will launch with four four-cylinder engines; they all fulfil the EU-6 emissions standard. The power range of the engines 110 PS to 184 PS.
Picking up on the most powerful engine in the range, the Golf Alltrack 2.0 TDI 184 PS sets a record with an output of 184 PS (at 3,500 to 4,000 rpm), becoming the most powerful Golf ever in an Estate body. The two-litre turbocharged engine delivers its maximum torque of 380 Nm to the 6-speed DSG – which comes as standard on this car – from a low 1,750 rpm. It maintains this constant value up to 3,250 rpm. The car’s power and torque figures, along with its all-wheel drive system not only perfect its off-road properties but also enable trailer loads of up to 2,000 kg (braked on 12 % incline). The engine, which was adapted from that in the Golf GTD, also delivers extremely sporty driving performance: 7.8 seconds for the sprint to 62 mph and 136 mph top speed are proof of this. The Golf Alltrack 2.0 TDI consumes just 55.4 mpg (134 g/km CO2).
The Golf Alltrack, which has up to 20 mm additional ground clearance, essentially has the same car body as the Golf Estate but with additional styling features.
The Golf Alltrack is expected to go on sale in the UK by summer 2015.
