Out goes the VW Jetta SportWagen, in comes the Golf SportWagen. After using the Jetta nameplate for a car everybody else knows as the Golf Estate or Wagon, VW of America is partially complying with its global designation standards, keeping the SportWagen moniker, but switching the new generation car’s family name to Golf.
VW calls it a concept that “previews the all-new Golf SportWagen that goes on sale in the States in early 2015”, but we all know it’s the production model. The Germans also stated that “essentially, the Golf SportWagen provides a sportier alternative to compact SUVs”.
The display car at the New York Auto Show sports a four-cylinder diesel engine paired to VW’s 4MOTION all-wheel drive system, with the Germans confirming two available powertrains for the USA, but not the availability of AWD.
The range will include a 170hp 1.8-liter turbocharged gasoline unit mated to five-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmissions that will improve highway fuel economy by as much as 17% compared to the 2.5-liter Jetta SportWagen, and the new EA288 2.0-liter common-rail, direct-injection diesel with 150hp (10hp more than the current SportWagen model) paired to either a 6sp manual or DSG dual-clutch automatic.
The seventh-generation Golf-based SportWagen is 1.1 inches longer and 0.7 inches wider than the current Jetta model, with VW claiming that, it offers more rear-seat leg- and shoulder room, and despite being 0.9 inches lower in height, a 0.4-inch improvement in front and rear headroom.
Furthermore, the Golf SportWagen offers 10 percent more cargo room with the rear seats folded over the outgoing model, and also sports a lower load height than before.
By John Halas
PHOTO GALLERY
