Oddball VW Optimizes Space

It is said that if you leave an idea to sit for a lengthy period of time, someone will be bound to pick it up and reuse it. Not a

Fads like disco may never again be in style, but quirky vehicles such as the ugly space wagons and stretched hatchbacks of the past, may be on their way back. (Photo: Volkswagen Canada)

decade ago, the "retro" theme was deeply unfashionable, but today it's a completely different situation.

People still can't seem to get enough of classic '50s and '60s-style Kitchenaid stand mixers, retro martini cocktail parties and modern cars with styling from that time period, but now the trend is spilling over into other, more recent, decades. Fads like disco may never again be in style, but quirky vehicles, such as the ugly space wagons and stretched hatchbacks of the past, may be on their way back.

From the late '70s to the late '80s, a handful of car manufacturers experimented with producing practical, space-efficient vehicles out of regular, run-of-the-mill compact cars. Included in this less-than-glamorous list were the tough, but ugly, Toyota Tercel and Corolla 4WD wagons, the frumpy Eagle/Mitsubishi Colt wagon and the pinnacle of the group, the Honda Civic Wagon. Plaid dress shirts, puffy bubble ski vests and

The newest addition to the Golf range is destined to plug the gap between the traditional compact hatchback and the seven-seat mini-minivan Touran (not available in North America). (Photo: Volkswagen Canada)

mullet haircuts, all of which hailed from that era, have staged successful comebacks, so why not the cars?

While the majority of manufacturers have pushed the memories of these less-than-appealing oddball vehicles out of consumers' minds with attractive compact sport utility vehicles, Volkswagen will enter this segment for the first time with the Golf Plus. The newest addition to the Golf range is destined to plug the gap between the traditional compact hatchback and the seven-seat mini-minivan Touran (not available in North America) by offering additional space and room for five passengers without resorting to a blocky, minivan body style.

As its name might suggest, the Golf Plus shares the same advanced components of the Golf including the super-stiff chassis,

The Golf Plus is 95 mm (3.74 in) taller than the regular Golf, yielding greater interior space and improved versatility. (Photo: Volkswagen Canada)

multi-link rear suspension and self-centering electric power steering, but the similarities go beyond simple component sharing. The two have near-identical dimensions in terms of overall length and width, but the Golf Plus is 95 mm (3.74 in) taller than the regular Golf, yielding greater interior space and improved versatility.

The Golf Plus is different from other attempts at creating a tall-body hatchback, in that its designers incorporated the Golf's key styling points for the new vehicle as opposed to simply building upwards on a pre-existing model.

The integrated structure and frame of the Plus follows the general shape of the Golf, as the roofline peaks at the midpoint of the front doors, flowing back to the trademark

To attract and entice buyers, and to provide a degree of visual separation from the regular Golf, the Plus model makes a few alterations to its exterior. (Photo: Volkswagen Canada)

'boomerang'-style rear pillars. Taller doors were also crafted especially for the Plus to keep the metal-to-glass proportions close to that of the regular Golf. It's easy to see that Volkswagen's engineers and designers weren't out to cut corners or save a quick buck in the design of the Plus.

To attract and entice buyers, and to provide a degree of visual separation from the regular Golf, the Plus model has a few additions to its exterior. More sleekly-styled headlamps with active curve technology (which swivel to light a path around dark corners) have been fitted. Their new design leads upwards to a new hood which has been beveled down towards the fenders.

In back, the Golf Plus also features quick-lighting LED taillamps in a bold white and red circular design. General shapes,

Elements of the Golf's interior have been intertwined with the higher driving position and layout of the Touran. (Photo: Volkswagen Canada)

such as the lower front valance, rear-window bar and triple-tier grille are clearly derived from the Golf, but have been slightly modified to give the Plus a distinctive, modern look.

Inside, elements of the Golf's interior have been intertwined with the higher driving position and layout of the Touran. The central panel, which holds the controls for the stereo and the optional LCD display and navigation unit, has been moved closer to the driver, with the upper half of the dashboard located in its own separate unit. The simple digital climate control cluster was relocated to a lower, more ergonomically-correct position. New to the Golf Plus are eight circular chrome-lined vents which add a touch of class to the interior's dark color scheme.

Ultimately, the purpose of the Golf Plus isn't to astound would-be buyers with a different exterior or interior design; it's all

The Plus is all about providing buyers with a vehicle that has additional cargo space and versatility. (Photo: Volkswagen Canada)

about providing buyers with a vehicle that has additional cargo space and versatility. The Golf Plus's body doesn't feature an extended rear overhang or a revised wheelbase, so all the gains in cargo-carrying capacity come from the body's extra height.

The car boasts 395 liters (13.95 cu ft) of trunk space with the rear seats upright, and up to 1,450 liters (51.21 cu ft) when the rear seats are folded down. As one might expect, the Golf Plus fits right between the Golf which has 350 to 1,305 liters (12.36 to 46.09 cu ft) of trunk space, depending on whether the rear seats are upright or folded flat, and the Touran which features 695 to 1,989 liters (24.54 to 70.24 cu ft) of volume.

In addition to the extra space, the Golf Plus has the upper hand on interior versatility over the Golf. Like the Golf, it has

Like the Golf, the Plus has the same 60/40 flat-folding seatbacks, but also features a sliding function which allows the bench to slide back and forth by up to 160 mm (6.30 in). (Photo: Volkswagen Canada)

the same 60/40 flat-folding seatbacks, but also features a sliding function which allows the bench to slide back and forth by up to 160 mm (6.30 in), allowing rear-seat passengers to stretch out or yielding greater cargo room. When not in use, the center position on the rear bench folds down to provide an armrest with cupholders.

The larger trunk also features a two-level floor for more efficient organization of its space, and a sliding cover to protect its contents from prying eyes.

As for safety, Volkswagen has equipped the Golf Plus with front and side

Entry-level Golf Pluses will feature a 1.4-liter 75 horsepower gasoline inline 4-cylinder, with an upgrade to a 1.6-liter 115 horsepower FSI I-4. (Photo: Volkswagen Canada)

airbags, seatbelt pretensioners, active headrests, Anti-Skid Regulation (ASR/Traction Control), and stability control.

When the Golf Plus arrives in European showrooms early next year, it will be available with two gasoline engines, one featuring FSI direct injection, and two 'next-generation' common-rail turbodiesels. Entry-level Golf Pluses will feature a 1.4-liter 75 horsepower gasoline inline 4-cylinder, with an upgrade to a 1.6-liter 115 horsepower FSI I-4. Buyers who would prefer diesel power have a choice between a 1.9-liter 105 horsepower TDI (available in North American Golf/Jetta/New Beetle models), and a 2.0-liter 136 horsepower PD-TDI (available on the current Passat TDI).

Four transmissions will be available for the Golf Plus: a five-speed manual, a six-speed manual, a six-speed DSG dual-clutch

Volkswagen has projected that the Golf Plus will arrive in European dealerships by May of 2005. (Photo: Volkswagen Canada)

gearbox and a six-speed Tiptronic automatic. All Golf Plus models will be front-wheel drive.

After a surprise world debut last week at the Bologna motor show in Italy, Volkswagen has projected that the model will arrive in European dealerships by May of 2005. Currently, there's no word on whether or not the Golf Plus will be sold in North America, but it would make a logical addition to Volkswagen's redesigned compact car range comprised of the fifth generation Golf and Jetta.

If the Golf Plus is to be sold in North America, expect trim levels and models to be similar to those of the Golf, with a slight price premium. As the spiritual successor to the stodgy space wagons of the past, the Golf Plus is further proof that a recycled idea can have merit, even if it brings back memories of a design originally considered odd.

Specifications:

• Price Range: N/A
• Body Type: 5-door hatchback
• Layout: front engine, FWD
• Base Engine: 75 hp, 93 lb-ft of torque, 1.4L, 16-valve DOHC I-4,
• Optional Engine: 115 hp, 114 lb-ft of torque, 1.6L, 16-valve DOHC direct-injection I-4
• Optional Engine: 105 hp, 184 lb-ft of torque, 1.9L 8-valve SOHC turbodiesel I-4
• Optional Engine: 140 hp, 236 lb-ft of torque, 2.0L 16-valve DOHC turbodiesel I-4
• Transmission: 5-spd manual (opt 6-spd manual, 6-spd auto with manual mode, 6-spd DSG)
• Brakes (front/rear): disc/disc, ABS
• Dimensions (L/W/H/WB): 4,206/1,759/1,580/2,578 mm (165.6/69.3/62.2/101.5 in)
• Seating Capacity: 5
• Cargo Volume (seats up/seats down): 395 / 1,450 L (13.95 / 51.21 cu ft)
• Web Site: www.vw.ca

Note: Additional larger photos are available in the photo album.