Are you sitting down? We’ve got a lot to cover…
The 2017 Volkswagen Golf is just a little while away from officially arriving on our shores. As per usual, the information drip has been slow but steady. Now though, Volkswagen Australia has released full details of the “7.5” range, which starts at $23,990 (before ORCs).
Four trim levels are offered on the hatch, with three available for the estate. The standard engine here is a 110kW/250Nm four-cylinder turbo petrol, with base models getting transmission options (automatic or manual) and top-spec variants getting an additional engine option.
The entry-level model, the 110TSI, will be available in hatch form only. $23,990 is commanded by the six-speed manual version; you’ll need to fork out $26,490 for the seven-speed dual-clutch DSG. Those of you paying attention may have noticed that prices are up around $1000 for the entry-level model, but the hike is justified with a shedload of standard equipment.
110TSI models get
- 8.0-inch ‘Composition Media’ infotainment screen (with smartphone mirroring)
- Leather multifunction steering wheel
- Reversing camera
- 16-inch alloy wheels
- LED taillights
- LED daytime running lights
- Multifunction driver’s display
- Driver drowsiness monitor
- Cruise control with speed limiter
- Seven airbags
- Multi-collision brake system (which slams on the anchors after an impact to prevent roll-away)
Autonomous emergency braking (AEB) is also featured throughout the range, something that we feel Volkswagen deserves great commendation for.
Stepping up to the 110TSI Trendline, prices jump to $24,990 for a manual hatch, and $27,490 for an automatic. This marks the entry point for Golf estate models as well, with prices for that starting at $28,990 with the double-clutch automatic as standard. On top of the 110TSI, Trendline models gain
- Automatic headlights, wipers
- Electrochromatically-dimming rear view mirror
- All-round parking sensors
- 16-inch alloy wheels (in a unique design)
- (Manual) lumbar adjustment for the front pews
- Rear centre armrest
Estate models get black roof rails on top of all this, as well as a luggage partition net.
‘Comfortline’ marks the next trim level up, with prices set at $28,990 for the hatch and $30,490 for the estate. No manual here, only the seven-speed DSG automatic. This trim level gets
- ‘AirCare’ air filtration system
- 8.0-inch ‘Discover Media’ infotainment system with satellite navigation
- 17-inch ‘Dijon’ alloys
- ‘Comfort’ front seats
- Chrome exterior and interior embellishments
- A storage compartment under the front passenger’s seat
- 12V socket in the boot
- Chrome roof rails (estate only)
Top-dog in the Golf lineup is the ‘Highline’ spec, which demands $34,490 for the hatch and $35,990 for the estate. As expected of a top-spec model, it gets all the bells and whistles, like
- Front fog lights
- ‘Comfort Sport’ front seats
- Vienna leather upholstery
- Heated front seats
- Power adjustable driver’s seat with electric lumbar adjustment
- Power folding door mirrors
- Keyless entry and go
- 17-inch ‘Karlskoga’ alloys
- Even more chrome inside and out
- LED map lights
- LED footwell lights
- Full-LED headlights
- Colour multifunction drivers’ information display
- Panoramic electric sunroof
Highline models also get the option of a 110TDI, which sees a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel take the place of the petrol, with an identical 110kW of power on offer, but a more impressive 340Nm of twist. With this engine, prices rise further to $36,990 for the hatch and $38,490 for the estate (representing a $1000 increase right at the top).
There are three option packs available for the Golf, with all of them being grade-specific. The Driver Assistance pack ($1500) adds a host of active driver assistance systems like adaptive cruise control, lane keep assistance, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, parking assistance, proactive occupant protection, and even ‘driver model selection’ that you can personalise to your specific requirements.
The Infotainment pack ($2300) throws in niceties like a 12.3-inch ‘Active Info’ driver’s digital information cluster (basically Audi’s Virtual Cockpit), a 9.2-inch ‘Discover Pro’ infotainment system with sat-nav, and a 10-speaker Dynaudio Excite audio system capable of 400W of oomph.
Highline-grade cars get the option of an ‘R-Line’ package ($2500), which adds unique ‘R-Line’ exterior styling and interior touches, 18-inch ‘Sebring’ alloys, progressive steering (which alters the degree of wheel angle depending on the current speed), sports suspension, and privacy glass.
All models command a $500 premium should you opt for metallic or pearl-metallic paint finishes.
Also detailed today was the lineup for the Golf Alltrack, the estate-crossover that bridges the gap between SUV and estate, while still offering all-wheel drive. There’s now a base model with a 132TSI designation, and two Premium models differentiated by their choice of engine: 132TSI Premium models pack the same petrol engine as the entry-level model, while the 135TDI Premium throws in a 2.0-litre turbodiesel. All variants are paired up with a double-clutch automatic gearbox (6-speeds in the TSI, 7-speeds in the TDI), which sends power to all four wheels via Volkswagen’s ‘4Motion’ all-wheel drive system.
The Alltrack range starts with the 132TSI, which gets things like
- Summits Cloth cabin trim
- Dual-zone climate control with ‘AirCare’
- Keyless entry and go
- Leather multifunction steering wheel
- Selectable driving modes (with off-road mode, too)
- 8.0-inch ‘Composition Media’ infotainment system with smartphone mirroring
- LED cabin lighting
- Reversing camera
- 17-inch ‘Valley’ alloys
- Automatic headlights & wipers
- Electrochromatic rear view mirror
- All-round parking sensors
- Front fog lights
- LED taillights
- LED daytime running lights
Like the rest of the Golf range, seven airbags and AEB are standard on the Alltrack too.
Premium models get a host of goodies, despite only being a $150 step-up from the entry-level Alltrack (petrol-for-petrol). Upgrades include
- ‘Comfort Sport’ front seats
- Vienna leather cabin trim
- 8.0-inch ‘Discover Media’ infotainment screen
- Satellite navigation
- LED headlights with cornering function
- Colour multifunction drivers’ display
- Carpets
Options for the Alltrack mirror those for the regular Golf, with the Driver Assistance pack ($1800), Sport Luxury pack ($2900), and Infotainment pack ($2300) on offer. The Sports Luxury pack is a little different than the R-Line option, by offering things like 18-inch alloys, paddle shifters, a panoramic roof, an electrically-adjustable drivers seat with power lumbar, electrically-folding exterior mirrors (with memory function linked to the drivers’ seat), and rear privacy glass. Sport Luxury is available only on Alltrack Premium variants.
To recap, the new Golf lineup now stands as
5-door hatch:
110TSI: $23,990/$26,490 (manual or automatic)
110TSI Trendline: $24,990/$27,490 (manual or automatic)
110TSI Comfortline: $28,990
110TSI Highline: $34,490
110TDI Highline: $36,990
Estate:
110TSI Trendline: $28,990
110TSI Comfortline: $30,490
110TSI Highline: $35,990
110TDI Highline: $38,490
Alltrack:
132TSI: $34,490
132TSI Premium: $38,490
135TDI Premium: $40,990
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