Test Drive Volkswagen Golf VI Variant since 2009 Universal

Long stockulle

The next and, apparently, the last replenishment of the Golf family had to wait. The Variant wagon appears on the market only now, almost four years after the debut of the Hatchbacks Golf of the fifth generation. Patient fans of universal could count on compensation from Volkswagen in the form of something incredible. But in vain. Golf Variant is not oversaturated with new ideas.
Universals in general should have died as a class with the advent of minivans. After all, in theory, the main task of a cargo-passenger body is to provide an opportunity to carry more baggage. And minivans are much clearer and obvious answer to the question. How do we take this closet? An even clearer and correct is called a cargo taxi, but there are no fastenings of isofixes for a children's chair in the back seat - as a rule, due to the lack of rear seat as such. Nevertheless, contrary to any logic, the universal exist. Including among compact models. Volkswagen, for example, has already created two generations of Golf Universal - the first Golf Variant, based on Golf III, appeared in 1993. However, the cargo-passenger version of the current Golf (it is the third generation Golf Variant) fans of universal faces almost four years.
 
The models on the Golf platform at Volkswagen already have a lot: actually Golf in two versions of the number of doors, semi-minute Golf Plus, almost off-road Crossgolf, Jetta sedan and EOS convertible coupe. Not counting the positioned as a separate model of the sports version of the GTI. So the fans of Golf sin to complain about the lack of choice - almost every year VW offered us something new. It seems that it is already an existing extensive gamma just slowed down the debut of Golf Variant. Connoisseurs of universality and large volumes received satisfaction in the form of Golf Plus - due to the increased height and the multifunction rear seat, this model is capable of solving about the same tasks as the usual wagon. And do not forget that there is still compact, but at the same time the Touran one accommodates up to seven people. Did it cost in such conditions in general to exchange a wagon?
 
The reason is. To approach modern cars with purely practical measurements - the occupation is approximately as meaningful how to surprise the scattering of prices for hours. If we were interested only in the accuracy of the course, then everyone would have enough quartz swatch or (for lovers to be not like everyone else) Skagen for a hundred euros. If we were worried about the solution of transport problems, the world would follow the Soviet model of the auto industry. But we choose cars for more complicated criteria. And the wagon in secured European and American circles, by the way, is considered a sports type of body. No, not because when closing the door of the trunk, you need to stretch up. It is believed that the increased volume of the cargo compartment is necessary when transporting a surfactant or a snowboard, or - for lovers of more conservative entertainment - hunting equipment into the forest and mining from it. At the same time, unlike minivan, the wagon has less aerodynamic resistance. When moving with a decent speed, it provides a smaller fuel consumption or, if we are going through Germany, a higher maximum speed. Well, better sustainability with lateral wind.
 
In the case of Golf Variant, it is emphasized that in fact the base for the machine was not at all the Golf hatchback, but the Jetta sedan. What it is not difficult to guess according to the specific facing of the radiator. Make a wagon will be in the same place where the sedan is at the VW plant in Mexico. This playground is closer to the habitat of traditional consumers Jetta - USA. By the way, there the universal was officially presented at the Salon in New York in April as the 2008 model and called Jetta Sportwagen. For Europe chose a more popular name. As people say from the VW marketing department to Golf, this model is still closer, Variant provides the same driving impressions as the hatchback. We can offer a more cynical version: it strongly simplified inventing advertising slogan for Germany - there the wagon advertise as the longest Golf of all time. It is impossible to object to this: 4,556 meters for Golf record.
 
Impressions from driving and in fact very good. Especially when it comes to new engines with a combined tsi supervision. They are also a mechanical compressor, and turbocharging, each of which is working in the speed of the revolutions, where its characteristics are optimal. As a result, from 1.4 liters of working volume can be removed to 170 hp! Consumption is slightly smaller than the conventional atmospheric motor comparable power.
 
Of course, Variant is heavier than the usual Golf - about 120 kg, that is, one tenth. However, the difference with Jetta is already significantly less - just about 50 kg. So losses in dynamic characteristics compared to the sedan are practically invisible. But with the main rival - Golf Plus - our hero is practically not varied by weight, but wins at maximum speed. Let be a few km / h, but still he is ahead. Here you have the difference in the aerodynamic parameters of different types of body.
 
The main part of the wagon is the back. Everything is solved here in the same classic style as Jetta. Even in a slightly more classic: the rear lights for some reason are deprived of the VW branded element with a corporate element. Perhaps Volkswagen just wanted to save a little. After all, in order to maintain the maximum size of the opening door of the trunk, the lanterns would have to partially move to the surface of the door.
 
The luggage compartment is even more traditionally done. Usually, the presentation of new universal turns into charging for the mind of journalists: how the next system of space organization works and how to count all the solid-caliber containers for the smallest and size. On the Golf Variant decided not to compete with the Golf Plus, so from the delights there is only a two-storey floor - above the spare wheel is a lodge with molded small compartments, covered with a carpet panel. But what is that is done very carefully and with attention to the details. The rear seat can be folded in parts, and this also applies to the back, and pillows. And the Passenger Chair has a back to lean forward for the placement of long periods. Although even Jetta features have enough opportunities in this plan: just shifting the seat forward, you could put a two-meter box with a shelf from IKEA.
 
Although this folding back is not all clear: perhaps, VW in its pragmatic habit will include it in the list of options. For example, the rear sofa flasher and pockets on the backs of the front chairs are missing in the basic configuration of Trendline. But in all there are at least six airbags and ESP with an additional trailer stabilization program. But what about, this is not just Volkswagen, and the wagon is fast and spacious. So not killed by minivans.
 
 
The long roof of the wagon allowed him to equip it with a luxurious panoramic hatch of 1.36x0.87 m. The front half opens. If the sun is tired, then the glass can be closed with a curtain with an electric drive. This is part of the standard Sportline configuration.
The volume of the trunk with the unfinished back seat to the windows level - 505 liters. Fully folded seats increase cargo space up to 1495 liters.
If you need to carry a long period, it is better to throw back only the back of the rear seat, not folding the pillow. Then a slightly inclined cargo platform will smoothly stick with the back of the passenger seat crowned forward
Abstracts in the same time
1. Golf Variant weighs as much as his ideological opponent - half-minivan Golf Plus. But Variant for eight centimeters below and therefore a little faster.
2. Rear lights look boring, but they do not reduce the doorway doors - its width is almost equal to the width of the trunk. There are practically no original ideas in the trunk equipment. Normal wagon. However, made very carefully.
3. The only drawback is the lack of space for head restraints. When folding the rear seat, they fully need to be removed and ... just throw in the trunk.
4. Golf Variant is made on the basis of VW Jetta, and it will be released on one with her factory in Mexico.

Text Valery Chusov
Photo Volkswagen AG
 

A source: "Autopilot"