Here’s Volkswagen’s estate version of the seventh-generation Golf, on test in Spain. It’ll reach UK showrooms in October 2013, with a starting price around £18,500.
A taller, longer boot mean an increase in loadspace of around 120 litres compared with the hatchback, for which you’ll pay a premium of around £1500.
VW Golf Estate: the basics
The new Golf Estate is set to share the MQB platform with its hatchback sibling. Bootspace will expand from the hatch’s 380 litres to around 505 litres in the estate.
Aside from the boxier, bigger boot, the car shares much with the hatch. Under the bonnet is the familiar range of petrol and diesel four-cylinder engines, ranging from 1.2 litres to 2.0 litres in size. A choice of six-speed manual and dual-clutch DSG auto transmissions will be available, along with a frugal BlueMotion version.
However, don’t bet on a 220bhp GTi version to challenge the Ford Focus ST estate. VW has shown a thinly disguised concept version of Mk7 hot hatch, due summer 2013, but there’s no mention of a wagon version.
The Mk7 Golf Estate uses the VW Group’s new lighter, more agile MQB platform, which also underpins the Seat Leon, and Audi A3. All three will get estate versions: Audi has shown its sleeker Sportback, while Seat’s Leon estate is yet to be officially unveiled. It’ll be badged as a Leon ST, in line with the station wagon versions of the Ibiza and Exeo.