Like most autobrands these days, the folks within Volkswagen AG are not shy to plug a gap in the motoring millieu, no matter how small. So it comes as little surprise that there are already rumblings regarding a possible SUV version of the next generation Golf. But how will this new development fit into an already burgeoning model range?
After all, there is the VW Tiguan and, at the Paris Motor Show, VW unveiled the Golf Alltrack, a Golf estate-based vehicle with their 4MOTION all-wheel drive system, higher ground clearance, wheel arch mouldings, flared side sills , and newly designed bumpers
According to a report by UK CAR magazine’s Georg Kacher, the Golf SUV will be underpinned by an updated variant of VW’s MQB modular platform, which will allow for the production of long- and short-wheelbase models according to target markets.
The Golf SUV won’t be a hardcore mud-plugger in any sense and its cosmetic concessions to the SUV soubriquet will likely be a beefier body kit, larger wheels, rear underbody protection, raised suspension and roof rails. A version of the company’s 4Motion drivetrain featuring hill descent control and on-demand all-wheel drive looks likely, but low range and locking diffs will be off the cards. Another feature that’s been suggested is an off-road sat-nav module with memory that prevents you from sitting in a blank space on the map.
The engine line-up will probably take its pick from the upper end of the standard Golf 8 hatch’s offering, with a 1,8 TSI (140 kW) and a 2,0 TDI (110 kW) the likely candidates.
The Golf SUV’s fit into VW’s model line-up is likely to be a tight one. It will be differentiated from the Tiguan by a purely hatchback-based body style and a move that will see the latter move further upmarket while spawning a coupe spinoff in a similar vein to the BMW X4.
It’s an interesting concept, but you do get the feeling that VW is banking on the public’s current craze for crossovers and compact SUVs to continue unabated for the next 3-4 years- maybe a Cross Golf (the above concept nixing the all-wheel drive system) will be the more logical step.
