The Versatile Volkswagen Sportsvan Makes Its Debut

Volkswagen released the first images of the Golf Sportsvan Concept, the successor to the Golf Plus, which will make its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show today. The new model is based, like the multi-award winning Golf hatchback and incorporates all the advanced technology of that car, but in larger, even more practical body style. Its exterior design follows the look of both the Golf and Volkswagen's more generic 'DNA". At 4,338 mm long, the new Sportsvan is 134 mm longer than the Golf Plus, and 83 mm longer than the Golf. It is 224 mm shorter than the Golf Estate. Its 2,685 mm wheelbase is 48 mm longer than that of the Golf, helping to generate more interior space, while the Sportsvan is also 80 mm wider, at 1,870 mm, and 126 mm higher, at 1,578 mm (excluding roof rails). Inside, the rear seats (60:40 split bench) can slide forwards and backwards by up to 180 mm, to increase either passenger or luggage space as required.

OneShift Editorial Team

10 Sep 2013

The Golf Sportsvan offers extra space as well as this versatility. Compared with its predecessor, boot capacity is increased by 74 liters to 498 liters with the back seats at their rear-most position. Moving the rear seats forward increases the luggage capacity to 585 liters, while folding the rear seats creates up to 1,512 liters of room. The front passenger seat can optionally fold fully forward, creating a load space which is up to 2284mm long.

Like the Golf hatchback, the Sportsvan comes not only with a stronger, safer body structure but also a raft of standard and optional passive and active safety systems. These include an automatic post-collision braking system which automatically brakes the vehicle after a collision to reduce kinetic energy significantly and thus minimize the chance of a second impact, and a Pre-Crash system which, on detecting the possibility of an accident, pre-tensions seatbelts and closes the windows and sunroof, leaving just a small gap, to ensure the best possible protection from the airbags.

Other electronic aids include Adaptive Cruise Control, Front Assist and City Emergency Braking, all of which can reduce or eliminate the chance of accidents occurring. Also available are a Driver Alert System, a camera-operated Lane Assist system and a Dynamic Light Assist system.

A first for the Golf Sportsvan is a Blind Spot Monitor, with an assistant for exiting parking spaces. This monitors the area behind and to the sides of the vehicle, ensuring easier and safer egress when reversing from a parking bay.

Powering the Sportsvan will be a range of petrol and diesel engines, all of which conform to Euro 6 emissions standards and incorporate Stop/Start and battery regeneration systems. There are four turbocharged 1.4-litre petrol engines with 85, 110, 125 and 150 PS and three Turbo-diesels: a 2.0-litre 150 PS, a 1.6-litre 90 PS and a 1.6-litre 110 PS for the Sportsvan BlueMotion. This is expected to return fuel economy of 76.3 mpg and emit 95 g/km of CO2. All engines (but the 85 PS) can be ordered with a DSG gearbox.

Take a closer look at the Volkswagen Sportsvan in our gallery.

Credits: Oneshift News Team