Volkswagen first unveiled the e-Golf at the 2013 edition of the LA Auto Show. This all-electric version of the popular Golf hatchback has now been put on sale in the UK with on-road prices starting at £25,845 (Rs 26.19 lakh). Now it may seem too steep for a hatchback but for an EV, the pricing seems to be on par with the competition.
The car is based on a standard Golf, which means it retains all the practicality, refinement and quality, but with a purely electric drive-train and zero emissions from the tail pipe.
The e-Golf sources its power from an 85kW electric motor which sends power to the front wheels via a single-speed gearbox. The lithium-ion battery is integrated into the car’s floor and weighs 318 kg. Performance-wise, the e-Golf is pretty brisk, accelerating from zero to 100kmph in 10.4 seconds. In comparison, the 110bhp 1.6-litre Golf BlueMotion diesel takes 10.5 seconds.
As for the all-important driving range, the e-Golf can cover up to 118 miles (around 190km), says Volkswagen. The range, of course, depends on the driving style and can be easily taken down with a heavy right foot! The car is offered with two driving modes and four regenerative braking modes to help extend maximum driving range.
Standard features on the e-Golf include climate control, navigation system, heated windscreen and LED daytime running lights. Interestingly, the e-Golf is the first production Volkswagen to feature full LED headlights. In the UK, Volkswagen has confirmed that the car will be available only in the five-door version. Additionally, the brand has also announced that deliveries of this new model will begin by the end of June 2014.
