Volkswagen Golf Plus

The Volkswagen Golf Plus is a car that was manufactured by Volkswagen between 2004 and 2014. It has been variously described as a hatchback, a compact multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), or a combination of the two.

• It was developed as a taller alternative to the Golf hatchback and positioned below the seven-seater Touran in Volkswagen's MPV category. The car is based on the Golf Mk5, rides on the PQ35 platform, and was accompanied by a crossover-styled variant called the Volkswagen CrossGolf in 2006. Throughout its life cycle, it has been sold alongside the Golf Mk5 and the Golf Mk6 for its final two years.

In 2014, the Golf Plus was replaced by the MQB-based Golf Sportsvan.

Overview

The Golf Plus was presented to the public at the Bologna Motor Show in December 2004. It is 95 mm taller than the Golf Mk5, and 150 mm shorter than the three-row Touran. It offers higher seating position, and more space in the cabin with an extra 50 L of boot space at 395 L, which is expandable to 505 L by lowering the boot floor. The rear seats can slide by 160 mm and folded in a new system, resulting in an almost level luggage space when folded. It also split 60:40, with the middle seat doubling as a fold-down drink table. The Golf Plus is optionally available with a large roof console, three unfolding storage compartments are located in the front area.

Many parts of the Golf Mk5 were also used in the Golf Plus, such as engines, transmissions, headrests and exterior mirrors. In contrast to the normal Golf, standard LED rear lights were used in the Golf Plus, the first in the C-segment.

It has a drag coefficient of 0.32. File:VW Golf Plus rear 20071212.jpg|Rear view (pre-facelift) File:VW Golf Plus V dashboard.jpg|Interior

Facelift

In December 2008, the facelifted version was revealed at the Bologna Motor Show, featuring a revised front end which saw the introduction of the horizontally aligned band front grille and new headlights with daytime running lights, aligning its styling to the Golf Mk6. The revised variant went on sale in early 2009. It retains a largely similar design of the rear end and the interior. For the first time on the Golf Plus, a parallel parking assistance system called ParkAssist was offered. A rear-view camera mounted behind the Volkswagen badge was also available as an option.

File:2009 Volkswagen Golf Plus SE TDi 1.6 Front.jpg|2009 Golf Plus SE (facelift) File:2009 Volkswagen Golf Plus SE TDi 1.6 Rear.jpg|2009 Golf Plus SE (facelift) File:VW Golf Plus 2.0 TDI Highline Interieur.JPG|Interior

CrossGolf

At the 2006 Paris Motor Show, Volkswagen released the CrossGolf which is a version of the Golf Plus with black-plastic body cladding and slightly increased ride height. Part of the Volkswagen Cross family which also includes the CrossPolo and CrossTouran, it was developed by the Volkswagen Individual division, which also developed the Golf R32.

The CrossGolf is only available in front-wheel drive configuration, and is powered by two petrol engines, 1.6 and 1.4 TSI, and two diesel engines, 1.9 TDI and 2.0 TDI, with outputs ranging from 102 PS to 140 PS. In the UK, this model is badged as Golf Plus Dune and sold with the 1.9 TDI outputting 105 PS.

The facelifted model was introduced in February 2010 at the Geneva Motor Show.

File:VW CrossGolf – Frontansicht, 19. Mai 2011, Velbert.jpg|CrossGolf (pre-facelift) File:VW CrossGolf – Heckansicht, 19. Mai 2011, Velbert.jpg|CrossGolf (pre-facelift) File:VW Cross Golf 1 (cropped).jpg|CrossGolf (facelift) File:VW CrossGolf Facelift Heck.JPG|CrossGolf (facelift)

Powertrain

Throughout its production run, seven petrol engine variants are available with an output between 75-170 PS, and five diesel engine variants with an output of 90-140 PS. All diesel engines are equipped with a diesel particulate filter (DPF).

The BlueMotion model was also available with 105 PS and a 5-speed manual gearbox. For efficiency, the BlueMotion model received changes in engine tuning such as lowering the idling RPM. It also received aerodynamic changes such as underbody cover, low-friction tires and lowering the right height by 15 mm. The third, fourth and fifth gears of the transmission have a longer gear ratio. Average fuel economy was rated at 4.8 L/100 km.

An LPG variant (BiFuel) was also offered with an output of 98 PS and a 5-speed manual gearbox.

Sales

References

References

1. "Guide to assembly plants in Europe". Automotive News Europe.
2. "Vehicle".
3. Thursday, December 2nd 2004. (2 December 2004). "New VW Golf Plus unveiled at Bologna".
4. (8 September 2013). "VW Golf Sportsvan succeeds Golf Plus in Frankfurt".
5. Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft, Historische Kommunikation (Hrsg.): ''Vom Käfer zum Weltkonzern.'' Wolfsburg 2015, {{ISBN. 978-3-935112-04-8, S. 216
6. "All VOLKSWAGEN Golf Plus models by year, specs and pictures - autoevolution".
7. "Volkswagen Golf Plus".
8. "Volkswagen Golf Plus (2009-2014) review".
9. Volkswagen AG Service Training. (January 2005). "Self-study programme 338 The Golf Plus 2005".
10. (12 May 2005). "StackPath".
11. "VW Golf Plus unveiled at Bologna motor show".
12. (3 December 2008). "VW Golf Plus officially debuts in Bologna".
13. "VW gives Golf Plus the Dune treatment".
14. (2007-01-24). "2007 Volkswagen Cross Golf @ Top Speed".
15. Sutton, Mike. (2010-02-25). "2010 Volkswagen CrossGolf".
16. (2010-02-25). "2010 Volkswagen CrossGolf @ Top Speed".
17. (2014-01-31). "Volkswagen Golf Plus European sales figures".