Yawn… it’s just a slightly bigger Golf, isn’t it?
Yes it is, but VW reckons the Golf wagon is a strategically important car in its range; it’s flogged 1.2 million of them since the first estate was launched back in 1993. The Golf isn’t exactly short on practicality, but VW has stretched the boot of its new Estate to make it the biggest yet. It’s also got a subtly different front end look, fronted by a chrome grille and tweaked spoiler. Roof rails and an aerodynamic spoiler built into the rear window complete the transformation from hatch to estate.
So it’s pretty practical then?
Sounds like it. Whisk the rear seats down and the boot expands to a massive 1550 litres. You’ll get all the usual estate touches: lashing load points, a 12v socket and heated side windows. Even with the rear seats up – the configuration most drivers will use most of the time – there’s a handy 505 litres, 155 more than in the regular hatchback.
When can I buy the Golf Estate?
UK sales start in summer 2007 and VW will sell two petrol models (a 138bhp 1.4 TSI and a 101bhp 1.6 FSI) and a pair of diesels (the 104bhp 1.9 TDI and 138bhp 2.0 TDI). Prices will be announced nearer the time, but expect a climb of £700 over the hatch and the sort of equipment that’s par for the course: six airbags, air-con, alloys and the like. Also on the VW stand at Geneva are the Passat BlueMotion cleaner diesel and an updated Phaeton.