Volkswagen Crossgolf test drive since 2007 hatchback
Cross + golf
Deprived of inheritance was drawn on the shield of the knight Aivengo This motto would quite suit our VW Crossgolf hero today. By the will of German managers, this car turned out to be the only successor of the family, founded by a strange one for its time, but, as history showed, the rather promising Golf Country, which, in turn, was the ideological great -grandfather of modern compact crossovers.
If VW marketers could look into the future, they would probably have preserved the European off -road boom to meet the Golf family. And so the cream went to Nissan, while the Germans had to be content with performances in the general group. However, history does not tolerate the subjunctive mood, especially since Crossgolf was not at all non -road. Yes, and came at the wrong time. But he did not hurry, as before, but was late as the main weapon VW chose a more prestigious Tiguan, Golf was in the position of the assistant. In addition, this car does not pull on the role of an independent car absolutely.
Crossgolf is based on the fifth Golf Plus. Let's say more, in fact, this is the same compactwane, only in a different way decorated. It de facto has grown a few centimeters in all dimensions (plus 2.3 cm in length, 1.6 in width and plus 3.1 cm in height), however, the reason for such dynamics is a special styling package consisting of massive three-color bumper and additional side linings. Also, from significant evolutionary changes, it is worth noting the appearance of higher rails, modified fog lights, as well as the rear -view doors and mirrors painted in the color of the body. And all. Otherwise, this is now the old Plus simple, conservative and completely unemotional.
The same applies to the internal appearance. In this matter, the Germans did not bother to equip the car even with any original trifle, like this, for example, was on Skoda Octavia Scout. Having preserved the interior of the source unchanged, the Czechs simply complemented it with a typically off -road pen. About the same that the person is in Crossgolf, he will be able to guess only by the inscription on the threshold overlap (if he pays attention to it at all). However, the miracles of such unification of Volkswagen designers demonstrated to Tiguan, explaining this move of a very successful layout of the Plus -Salon, which, they say, greatly liked the customers due to their functionality and comfort.
The Germans, of course, know better, but, in our opinion, both of them here at a very decent, but far from the highest level.
The seats, for example, are comfortable, but the pillows are clearly short. In addition, not every modern client is able to adequately perceive the lack of an alternative landing. In Crossgolf, the driver and passenger will have to sit exclusively vertically. Of course, traditionally wide ranges of the steering wheel and front seats allow them to take a more sports position, but the driver will clearly lose its visibility purely hypothetically, while the passenger risks the seat at the first more or less sharp inhibition.
Approximately in the same position, the second -row riders will also be adjusted, but this will not be able to significantly improve the life of the client. However, it is still a sin to complain about the insufficient level of comfort here Crossgolf’s rear sofa is even more spacious even, even a larger Tiguan. The reserve of space intended for placing knees and heads is more than enough for the highest passengers. True, provided that there will be no more than two of them here in the shoulder zone, the salon is still crowded.
But the trunk is beyond praise. Its minimum volume almost reaches 400 liters, at the same time after the transformation of the driver, an almost one and a half -kubo compartment with an almost even floor and theoretical ability to transport objects up to 2.3 meters will receive at the disposal of the driver. To do this, however, the buyer will have to fork out on the folding back of the front chair such options for the Germans are traditionally listed in the lists of additional equipment.
However, in the case of Crossgolf, the designers still moved away from some rules. In addition to the extensive list of options, any Volkswagen car is usually accompanied by a decent set of power units. He is alone right there. Moreover, not a high-tech FSI, but a 1.6-liter 102-horsepower gasoline engine for many single-phase models, which began to be installed on Golf almost at the end of the last century. And he clearly does not have enough traction.
As a result, this VW, to put it mildly, is sluggish (as well as extremely vocal and gluttonous). The situation is saved only by the 6-speed DSG in time in time. Thanks to her, the motor is in constant tone, which makes acceleration more or less even. But, even despite this, your correspondent would still prefer to have one of modern turbocharged units under the hood of such a car. But to the branded system of a full drive of claims at least in this machine there is simply no. Even in theory. Everything that is worth counting on the driver, an increased road clearance and formally off -road (read, stronger) body kit. Therefore, it is better not to let go of the cross on this Golf: snowy nanos and shallow sand for him is the border of the possible.
Here, however, it is worth noting that along a snowy road the car goes like along the rails, even with the ESP turned off.
Competitors
Brother
The closest relative of the novelty, in fact, is its most formidable competitor. While maintaining all the functional qualities, Golf Plus significantly overtakes Crossgolf and in price (the starting cost of the model is slightly more than 550,000 rubles), and in the choice of power units, of which it has five. Moreover, among the latter, not only the basic 1.4-liter engine, but also a pair of turbodiesels with a working volume of 1.9 and 2.0 liters. And also one of the latest developments of the concern is a 1.4-liter 122-horsepower TSI.
AT THE POST
While Octavia Scout is fighting restyling, the honor of the Skoda off -road line in our country is only Roomster of the same name. True, unlike the universal system equipped with a all -wheel drive system, this car, like Crossgolf, can only be monotive, while possessing a characteristic body kit and a very practical minivanide salon (with the widest possibilities of transformation). However, among the significant advantages of the model, it is worth noting a much more democratic price tag (from 525,000 rubles), as well as the presence of three power units: a pair of gasoline and 1.9-liter turbodiesel.
MACHO
Freetrack is built on the same platform, but using a full -wheel drive system. A 200-horsepower TFSI is installed under the hood of the Spaniard, allowing the crossover to accelerate to 100 km/h in 7.5 seconds and reach a maximum speed of 214 km/h. In addition, if desired, it can be both full and anteroplative. The type of transmission also depends on this, by the way. In the first case, the car is equipped with 6-speed mechanics, and in the second 6-speed DSG. True, you will have to pay a lot of 1,029,900 rubles for it.
Vladimir Zhidkov
Photo author: Armen Meetarjyan
Source: Mkobil magazine [February/2009]
