Volkswagen Golf Sportsvan Concept revealed; Frankfurt debut

Volkswagen has revealed the first images of the Golf Sportsvan Concept, the successor to the Golf Plus, ahead of its global debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA) on Tuesday. The new model is based on the company's MQB platform, which also incorporates the multi-award winning Golf hatchback. The exterior design of the concept clearly follows the look of both the Golf, and Volkswagen's more generic 'DNA'.

The new Sportsvan concept is 134mm longer than the Golf Plus, and 83mm longer than the Golf. It is 224mm shorter than the Golf Estate. Its 2,685mm wheelbase is 48mm longer than that of the Golf, helping to generate more interior space, while the Sportsvan is also 80mm wider, at 1,870mm, and 126mm higher, at 1,578mm (excluding roof rails). Inside, the rear seats (60:40 split bench) can slide forwards and backwards by up to 180mm, to increase either passenger or luggage space as required.

The Golf Sportsvan comes with a stronger, safer body structure, and also sports a standard and optional passive and active safety systems. These include an automatic post-collision braking system, PreCrash system, pre-tensions seatbelts and much more. 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. The Sportsvan will be made available in 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 27.1kmpl (76.3 mpg). All engines (but the 85 PS) can be ordered with a DSG gearbox.

The Golf Sportsvan is expected to go on sale in the UK in mid-2014. It will not use the Sportsvan name in the UK; naming will be confirmed closer to launch.

Read More on : more on Volkswagen Golf