VW to bring all-electric Golf to U.S. this fall
LOS ANGELES — For several years, Volkswagen has been watching the race to develop viable electric cars from the sidelines.
But this fall, the German automaker will bring its first all-electric vehicle to the United States, a battery-powered version of the venerable Golf, the hatchback that has sold more than 30 million copies globally over six generations.
Dubbed the e-Golf, this model uses the same platform and body as gasand diesel-powered Golfs, which have all been redesigned for the 2015 model year.
Honda, Toyota, GM, Chrysler, Ford, Nissan, BMW and Mercedes-Benz offer a zero-emission vehicle in California. This is to meet a mandate by the California Air Resources Board requiring that each brand either sell such a vehicle or buy credits from automakers that do.
Automakers typically lose money on electric cars, despite generous state and federal subsidies to buyers. But it’s the price of entry to the nation’s largest auto market — and key to building brand awareness and engineering prowess amid growing consumer demand for clean, efficient cars.
The late arrival doesn’t bother VW.
“We’d rather do it right the first time,” said Lars Menge, general manager of product strategy for VW of America.
Many automakers quickly churned out electric cars with subpar powertrains or build quality, he said.
“We came up with a much better car, so now all others have to stretch to follow us,” Menge said.
That’s a bold claim, considering the strengths of competitors such as the Nissan Leaf, Fiat 500e and Honda Fit EV. But a day darting around San Francisco shows that VW’s first electric vehicle lives up to the big talk.
Though its technology and driving range break no new ground, the 2015 e-Golf has the efficiency and smooth driving habits that appeal to electriccar fans. And it comes in a classic design, packed with useful features needed to lure buyers who have yet to consider a plug-in car.
The new Golf platform also underpins a wide range of small cars across Volkswagen Group’s global brands, including VW, Audi, Seat and Skoda.
Rather than retrofit the outgoing platform for an electric vehicle, VW wanted to wait until it could use this setup — dubbed MQB — which was designed with an all-electric option in mind. This was another reason for VW’s late arrival.
The e-Golf gives up no interior space for people or cargo because the 700-pound lithium-ion battery pack is built into the floor and the tunnel between the passengers.
Weighing only about 60 pounds more than the gas version, the e-Golf has the same nimble handling on the road, but without any engine noise or vibration.
An electric motor pumps out 115 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque, with this silent power coming on smooth and strong from a dead stop. Though it doesn’t have the gee-whiz kick of the Fiat 500e, the e-Golf is quick enough. VW said it will do a zero-to-60 mph run in about 10 seconds.
The e-Golf has more power and less weight than the Nissan Leaf, its chief competitor.
Official EPA range figures won’t be in until September. For now, VW estimates 70 to 90 miles of “real world range” on a full charge, and a 115-mile maximum. That’s on par with the Leaf’s 84-mile EPA-estimated range.
VW hasn’t yet announced pricing for the e-Golf, but a loaded version with leather seats and navigation probably will sell for around $35,000, before state and federal tax incentives that could knock off as much as $10,000. If that seems close to what a loaded Nissan Leaf sells for, that’s no accident.
All e-Golf models will come with a standard roadside assistance program. This service will pick up any e-Golf that has run out of juice within 100 miles of home and take it to the nearest charging station. Drivers will also have the option of a free taxi ride to their home or office, and they can use this service as many times as they like.
The e-Golf will recharge a completely dead battery in less than four hours using a 240-volt outlet or in 20 hours with a 110v/120v plug.