Following in the footsteps of the Passat, the VW Golf has received a crossover-flavored Alltrack variant based on the estate body style that will debut at the Paris Auto Show.

The twelfth new Golf version launched in the past 24 months, the VW Golf Alltrack will arrive on European markets in spring 2015 with standard 4Motion permanent all-wheel drive system, 20mm (0.78in) higher ground clearance and a more rugged styling package including wheel arch moldings, flared side sills, redesigned bumpers and other exterior and interior features.

Styling tweaks also include exclusive 17-inch “Valley” alloy wheels, door mirror caps painted in glossy “Reflex Silver”, an “Alltrack” badge on the wings, a chrome trim strip beneath the side windows and the “Silver” anodised roof rail.

The Golf Alltrack will be available with one petrol unit and three diesels, all turbocharged with direct-injection. The 1.8 TSI with an output of 180PS (178hp) is an entirely new addition to the Golf range, while TDI versions include a 1.6-liter unit with 110PS (109hp) and two 2.0-liter units with 150PS (148hp) and 184 PS (182hp), respectively. The petrol engine and the most powerful diesel unit are equipped with a six-speed DSG transmission as standard – the other engines get a six-speed manual.

The fastest model is the top diesel variant which sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.8 seconds and reaches a top speed of 219 km/h (136 mph). The most economical versions are the base 1.6 TDI and 2.0 TDI, which return 4.9 l/100 km (47.8 mpg US) and emit 127 g/km CO2.

VW says the Golf Alltrack has SUV-like off-road driving traits, thanks to the raised ground clearance and 4Motion all-wheel drive system. Front-biased in normal conditions, the latter can direct nearly 100 percent of the drive torque to the rear axle. In addition to the Haldex coupling that acts as a longitudinal lock, the four-wheel EDS system assumes the role of a differential lock at both axles. The Golf Alltrack is also equipped with XDS at the front and rear axles, with the system optimizing steering response by braking the wheels on the inside of a bend during fast driving.

The model has an “Offroad” driving profile that activates a hill descent function, modified accelerator pedal characteristic and off-road configuration of the ABS system. The Golf Alltrack can also tow trailers with loads of up to 2,000 kg (4,409 lbs).

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