2017 Volkswagen Golf range to add R-badged wagon

THE 2017 Volkswagen Golf range will add an R-badged wagon to the line-up as part of the strong-selling model's half-step generational leap, the carmaker has revealed.

The most basic version of the VW Golf 7.5 will go up slightly in price when it arrives here in July, rising $1150 to start from $23,990 for the 110TSI hatch fitted with a six-speed manual. Pitch in a seven-speed dual-clutch DSG transmission and that price jumps $2500.

However, at the top end of the range, prices for the 213kW/380Nm all-paw R-badged variants will hold steady, ranging from $52,990 for the six-speed manual and from $55,490 for the dual-clutch auto.

Meanwhile, the limited-edition Golf R Wolfsburg will return for another limited run, but this time there will be 300 cars in both five-door hatch and wagon body shapes. Pricing is yet to be announced for these.

Pricing for the 169kW/350Nm GTI has risen by $150 to start from $41,490 for manual versions and $43,990 for the dual-clutch autos. If more performance with fewer doors is more your bent, the 180kW/370Nm GTI “Performance Edition 1” is priced from $47,990. Get your order in quickly, though; just 150 of the hardcore, dual-clutch-only three-door hatchbacks will come here.

The GTI jumps to a bigger 9.2-inch multifunction screen and 18-inch alloys that tie in with the adaptive suspension system and selectable drive mode that sharpens responsiveness. That extra spend on the three-door includes carbonfibre wing mirror skins, an amped-up 400W audio system, and slick-looking 19-inch alloys.

GTI- and R-badged models are strong sellers in Australia, which at up to one in every five sales has the highest mix of VW’s performance models compared with the cooking versions worldwide. The R-badged wagon will arrive here in January.

Other familiar variants in the Golf line-up swallow small price rises of between $650 and $1500.

The facelifted Golf range will sell with VW’s more advanced automatic emergency braking – it can avoid a secondary crash once the first one has happened – as standard, a mandatory requirement to gain a top five-star rating via Australia’s crash safety watchdog. It will also monitor drivers for signs of fatigue and throw up a warning if needed.

Inside, the base Golf adds an 8.0-inch multifunction touchscreen and a reversing camera as standard. Outside, the Golf gains flash-looking daytime running lights up front and LED tail-lights down the back, and 16-inch alloy wheels.

Stepping up to Trendline adds auto wipers and headlights, car park-friendly front and rear parking sensors and a glare-reducing rear vision mirror, while wagons will add black roof rails and a luggage net for the boot.

Highline variants add the first taste of leather trim on more heavily bolstered and heated front sports seats, dual-zone air-con, LED headlights, a sunroof and fog lamps.

Meanwhile, the jacked-up, SUV-styled Alltrack expands from one to three models, with one using a diesel engine borrowed from the Skoda Octavia RS under its bonnet. It is badged the 135TDI and priced from $40,990, sending drive to all four wheels via a 135kW/380Nm four-cylinder turbo-diesel.

The range also adds a new entry-level variant, the $34,490 132TSI fitted with a six-speed dual-clutch auto.

2017 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF PRICING

HATCHBACK
110TSI (man) $23,990
110TSI (auto) $26,490
110TSI Trendline (man) $24,990
110TSI Trendline (auto) $27,490
110TSI Comfortline (auto) $28,990
110TSI Highline (auto) $34,490
110TDI Highline (auto) $36,990
GTI (man) $41,490
GTI (auto) $43,990
GTI Performance Edition 1 (auto) $47,990
R (man) $52,990
R (auto) $55,490

WAGON
110TSI Trendline (auto) $28,990
110TSI Comfortline (auto) $30,490
110TSI Highline (auto) $35,990
110TDI Highline (auto) $38,490

ALLTRACK
132TSI (auto) $34,490
132 TSI Premium (auto) $38,490
135TDI Premium (auto) $40,990