Instead of just one version of the Golf SportWagen with two engine options, the US will get two and in particular, the crossover-ish Golf SportWagen Alltrack edition that will be revealed at the New York Auto Show.
“We have heard from dealers and customers that they want to see a Golf SportWagen with the all-terrain capability that comes from all-wheel drive,” said Michael Horn, President and CEO of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. “We are delighted to introduce the SportWagen Alltrack in 2016 in the U.S.”
Already offered in Europe, the Alltrack gets VW’s 4MOTION all-wheel-drive system with the latest generation Haldex-5 coupling, activated via an electro-hydraulic oil pump. In normal driving conditions, it’s a front-wheel-drive car for improved fuel economy, but once the system detects wheel slip, up to 50 percent of the drive torque can be transferred to the rear wheels.
There are also electronic differential locks (EDL) on the front and rear axles that act laterally with the electronic stability control system,
Compared to the regular estate version of the Golf, it has nearly an inch higher ground clearance, plus a number of cosmetic upgrades such as the wheelarch moldings and flared side sills, restyled designed bumpers, and according to VW, “an even more upscale interior” by which we assume they mean the trim.
VW has not yet confirmed the engine range for the North American model.
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