The new VW Golf Alltrack is the latest addition to Volkswagen’s burgeoning soft-roader family. Due to be unveiled at the 2014 Paris motor show, the Golf in welly boots is due to go on sale in the UK in summer 2015.
They’re not mere hiking boots, either; VW says the Golf Alltrack comes with four-wheel drive as standard for the UK.
It’s the second soft-roader branded model after the Passat Alltrack.
What’s new on the 2015 VW Golf Alltrack?
The usual Allroad-spec accoutrements that turn many car makers’ estates into quasi SUV wannabes.
So you get 20mm higher ground clearance courtesy of revised suspension settings, plastic mouldings wrapping the front, sides and rear of the bodywork and aluminium accents to give the impression of front and rear skid plates.
The cabin has a smattering of extras, but essentially it’s stock Golf underneath a little Alltrack branding. The 17in alloy wheels and honeycomb-styled radiator grille are bespoke, though.
Will it actually go off-road though?
Surely not. But with VW’s 4motion all-wheel drive system, at least you shouldn’t get stuck on a sodden school sports day.
The Golf Alltrack uses a Haldex centre coupling to divert power to the rear axle when the front wheels start to slip. It’s now in its fifth generation and VW claims the electronically governed clutch can send 100% of drive to the rear wheels in exremis. Imagine that; a Golf that could theoretically power-slide!
There’s also an array of electronic systems – namely EDS and XDS – which use sensors and the brakes to reduce wheelspin on any individual wheel.
Four engines are available on the 2015 Golf Alltrack:
Golf Alltrack 1.8-litre TSI petrol 178bhp, 207lb ft, 42mpg, 158g/km CO2
Golf Alltrack 1.6-litre TDI diesel 109bhp, 184lb ft, 58mpg, 127g/km CO2
Golf Alltrack 2.0-litre TDI diesel 148bhp, 251lb ft, 58mpg, 127g/km CO2
Golf Alltrack 2.0-litre TDI diesel 182bhp, 280lb ft, 55mpg, 134g/km CO2
The 1.8 petrol is a new engine for the Golf range; the most powerful petrol and diesel come with the six-speed DSG twin-clutch transmission as standard.
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