Golf 8 Variant and Alltrack will be bigger in 2020
More space in the station wagon: the new Golf Variant stretches for passengers and luggage. Everything about the VW Golf 8 Variant and the higher-level Golf 8 Alltrack.
The Golf Variant 8 comes with LED lamps and a keyless start system. He also has the security assistants that are common today
The tailgate of the VW Golf 8 Variant opens electrically for a surcharge
The VW Golf 8 Variant takes over the nose from the hatchback Golf. The rear section becomes a station wagon from the B-pillar – and is therefore significantly more spacious
The VW Golf 8 Alltrack is a higher version of the Variant with off-road optics
The VW Golf 8 Alltrack is a higher version of the Variant with off-road optics
The VW Golf 8 Alltrack is expected to start at around 40,000 euros (basic equipment). The Alltrack will only be available with a 200 hp diesel engine
The market launch for the VW Golf 8 Variant and Alltrack is planned for the end of 2020
The interior of both Golf derivatives is identical. Technology, design and equipment are adopted by the models from the new Golf
The Golf Variant 8 comes with LED lamps and a keyless start system. He also has the security assistants that are common today
The VW Golf 8 Variant measures 4.63 meters in length, 1.78 meters in width and 1.45 meters in height. This makes it six and a half centimeters longer than its predecessor
The VW Golf 8 Variant takes over the nose from the hatchback Golf. The rear section becomes a station wagon from the B-pillar – and is therefore significantly more spacious
The tailgate of the VW Golf 8 Variant opens electrically for a surcharge
Volkswagen offers various petrol engines in the Golf 8 Variant. Including a mild hybrid version. There will be no plug-in variant
With the rear seat upright, the VW Golf Variant holds 611 liters of luggage
If the rear seat is folded down, the trunk volume of the VW Golf 8 Variant increases to 1,642 liters
The tidy cockpit is immediately noticeable. The VW Golf 8 Variant adopts all technical innovations from the basic version. The 8.25-inch touchscreen autonomously controls most of the functions; the manufacturer does not use any analog instruments
Of the Golf for big things is called Variant. The station wagon version will be launched in the new series at the end of 2020, almost a year after the compact one. New and special on the Golf 8 Variant: it offers more space in the rear than any other Golf and more space than other mid-range cars.
The Golf 8 Alltrack will be launched in parallel to the Variant. It is a raised version of the station wagon with a rugged appearance and four-wheel drive. It should cope with easy terrain and pull trailers with a weight of up to two tons. Both golf derivatives will start in the fourth quarter of 2020 and cost from around 23,500 euros.
The VW Golf 8 Variant and Alltrack in brief
- VW Golf 8 Variant: the largest Golf to date
- Extended wheelbase creates more space in the interior
- Digital cockpit, more assistance
- Drives from the five-door
- Golf 8 Alltrack with GTI apron, lift kit and all-wheel drive
- Market launch of VW Golf 8 Variant and Alltrack: fourth quarter of 2020
VW Golf 8 Variant: dimensions and trunk space
The new Golf Variant is six and a half centimeters longer than its predecessor. The entire difference is between the axles, so it increases the interior space. On the back seat there is now almost four centimeters more legroom than before.
The trunk is only marginally larger when the model is changed: The Golf Variant now fits 611 to 1,642 liters of luggage. That is 6 or 22 liters more than before. You shouldn’t notice any of this in practice. VW builds hooks and eyes in the charging compartment as standard, optionally with 12 or 230 volt sockets. The tailgate opens electrically for a surcharge. Control by foot gesture is also available.
The tailgate of the VW Golf 8 Variant opens electrically for a surcharge
With a length of 4.63 meters, the Golf Kombi is one of the small cars in its class. The differences in length are marginal. Seat Leon ST (4.64 m), Skoda Octavia Combi (4.70 m), Opel Astra Sports Tourer (4.70 m) Ford Focus Tournament (4.66 m) and Toyota Corolla Touring Sports (4.65 m) are longer than the Golf Variant. Only Kia Ceed SW (4.60 m) and Hyundai i30 SW (4.59 m) accommodate the large trunk on smaller dimensions.
In front of the B-pillar, the Golf 8 Variant corresponds to the normal Golf. If the roof rails of the station wagon are not taken into account, the body shapes are the same in height (1.46 m) and width (1.8 m). So the Variant doesn’t feel any different in the driver’s seat.
Infotainment in the VW Golf 8 Variant
In the new Golf station wagon, VW installs all the innovations from the five-door. This includes a decidedly tidy cockpit that dispenses with almost all switches. Most functions are controlled by an 8.25 inch diagonal touch screen. The paths to the menus for driving profiles, air conditioning, assistance and parking spaces are shortened thanks to a small keypad between the ventilation nozzles. Voice control complements the system.
Proven solutions fall victim to modern optics. There are no longer any dials for volume or temperature in the Golf Variant. VW replaces them with touch-sensitive strips that recognize swiping gestures and touches. They are not illuminated, so they cannot be seen in the dark. VW promises to sharpen this function as soon as possible – but probably not until the facelift.
The Golf completely stores analog instruments in all variants. A display behind the steering wheel replaces the mechanical clocks. Depending on the equipment, it shows driving data and navigation in configurable views. Optionally, a head-up display projects the speed and directions onto the windscreen.
VW Golf 8 Variant: Assistance and equipment
In addition to the digital cockpit, VW is installing automatic climate control, lane departure warning systems, an accident warning system, the “Composition Color” infotainment system with Bluetooth connection and online functionality in the Golf Variant. There are also LED lights and a keyless start system. The car uses the “Car-to-X” standard to communicate with compatible vehicles and objects, for example traffic lights or traffic signs.
The VW Golf 8 Variant takes over the nose from the hatchback Golf. The rear section becomes a station wagon from the B-pillar – and is therefore significantly more spacious
In addition to the basic model, VW offers the equipment variants “Life”, “Style” and “R-Line” for the Golf Variant. Some new functions are added to them. For example, a better combination of adaptive cruise control and lane assistants that support the driver on long journeys. The Golf then drives in the middle of the lane as standard and only demands attention if it cannot feel a hand on the steering wheel. Simply accelerating is enough for him, steering movements are not required.
The catalog of options for the Golf Variant is largely identical to that of the normal Golf. Assistance, infotainment, comfort and looks are equally available in both body variants. Only in the trunk there is more leeway: a 230-volt socket is not in the normal price list, but in the station wagon.
Engines and transmissions in the Golf 8 Variant
Since the premiere of the Golf 8, VW has been using new generations of engines. Of course, they arrive in the Variant: the station wagon has three and four-cylinder engines. All have turbocharging and direct injection. In combination with the automatic dual clutch transmission, some petrol engines become mild hybrids: an electric motor supports the combustion engine and generates electricity when braking. That lowers consumption.
The diesel engines in the Golf 8 clean their exhaust gases with two SCR catalytic converters each. They spray on the urea solution “AdBlue” and convert harmful nitrogen oxides into harmless chemicals. VW wants to avoid a second diesel scandal with all its might.
VW offers the station wagon with 1.0 and 1.5-liter petrol and 2.0-liter diesels. They initially produce 110 to 150 hp, in the Alltrack 200 hp. The Golf Variant will not be available as a plug-in hybrid. Instead there is another Golf R Variant with a four-cylinder turbo engine, 333 hp and all-wheel drive. Depending on the performance class, there is a choice of manual gearboxes and dual clutch gearboxes.
VW Golf 8 Alltrack: A bit of an SUV in a station wagon
In addition to the Golf Variant, VW offers a version with off-road optics called the Golf Alltrack. He receives a bad road chassis and plastic panels on the wheel arches for a robust look.
The VW Golf 8 Alltrack is a higher version of the Variant with off-road optics
The Golf 8 Alltrack comes exclusively with a 200 hp diesel. The manufacturer says that the crossover station wagon will only be available with all-wheel drive. The trailer load should be 2,000 kilograms (12% gradient).
Golf 8 Variant and Golf 8 Alltrack will start in the fourth quarter of 2020. VW has not yet announced any official prices. Most recently, the surcharge for the large hatchback was around 1,100 euros. The price for the 110-horsepower gasoline engine should start at 23,500 euros. The Alltrack will cost at least 40,000 euros.
VW Golf 8 Variant and Alltrack: Technical data
| model | VW Golf 8 Variant |
| engine | 1.0 and 1.5 liter turbo gasoline engines; 2.0 liter turbo diesel |
| power | 110 to 200 hp (81 to 147 kW) |
| Torque | 175 to 400 Nm |
| transmission | manual five- or six-speed gearbox, seven-speed DSG |
| drive | Front or all-wheel drive |
| length | 4,633 mm |
| width | 1,789 mm (without exterior mirrors) |
| height | 1,455 mm (without roof rails) |
| wheelbase | 2,686 m |
| Trunk volume | 611 to 1,642 l |
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