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Volkswagen has today unveiled
the second generation Golf Plus
at the Bologna Motor Show in
Italy.
The updated design of the new
Golf Plus forges a link to the
bodystyle of the sixth
generation Golf hatchback and
gives a distinctive and dynamic
appearance. The front is
dominated by the horizontally
aligned band of the radiator
grille with two high-gloss black
cross-bars and an integrated
Volkswagen roundel, between
revised headlights.
Exterior styling revisions
continue with a slightly lower
profile than the previous
generation and with newly
designed integrated roof rails.
At the rear, the new Golf Plus
has a fully colour-coded
redesigned bumper and revised
‘cherry red’ rear lights
incorporating LED technology.
The exterior styling
modifications are complemented
by a range of new wheel and tyre
options, including 18-inch
‘Bilbao’ alloy wheels from
Volkswagen Individual.
Inside the cabin, further
improvements have been made and
the new Golf Plus reaches a new
level of quality while
continuing to be one of the most
practical and versatile vehicles
in its class. New upholstery
materials and details are
carried over from the new Golf,
while clearly defined white
backlit instruments, with
brushed chrome surrounds,
steering wheel options and air
conditioning systems are similar
to those in the new Golf and
Passat CC.
Engines are still to be
confirmed but a range of
advanced petrol and diesels add
further refinement to the
revised model, with improved
levels of fuel economy and
reduced emissions. Both petrol
and diesel models are linked to
either a five- or six-speed
manual or a six- or seven-speed
DSG gearbox.
One petrol option will be a
1.4-litre 122 PS TSI engine
which is forecast to return 44.8
mpg with carbon dioxide
emissions of 146 g/km and a top
speed of 124 mph. Common rail
TDI engines, all fitted with a
Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF)
will be available with outputs
between 90 PS and 140 PS. The
2.0-litre TDI 140 PS has a top
speed of 127 mph, and is
expected to emit just 135 g/km
while returning 55.4 mpg.
For the first time on the Golf
Plus, Volkswagen’s ParkAssist
will be offered. This system
has the ability to operate the
steering automatically during
reverse parallel parking
manoeuvres. A rear-view camera,
mounted behind the Volkswagen
roundel on the bootlid, is also
available as an option. The
system, currently available on
the new Golf, Tiguan and Passat
CC, transmits an image and
graphic guidelines to the
dash-mounted radio or navigation
screen to assist with parking.
Prices, engines and
specifications for the new Golf
Plus will be announced closer to
the vehicle’s UK launch in
Spring 2009. |
