VW U-turn Over Golf Estate

Offically, it seemed there were no plans for an all-new Golf estate. But an engineer has given the game away -there will be a load-lugger after all.

Auto Express Car Reviews

By Matt Joy

02nd February 2005

VW bosses had said the range was complete with the standard hatch, the new Plus and Touran MPV. However, during the Golf Plus launch, a Wolfsburg employee revealed to Auto Express that a MkV estate would appear in 2006.

The mag's exclusive picture shows the look of the forthcoming model. The wide tailgate will open to reveal a spacious load area, but the estate will feature a more conventional interior than its Touran and Golf Plus siblings. There will be generous room for five and a normal split-folding rear seat mechanism, while the high-quality cabin is carried over unchanged from the hatchback.

The newcomer will come with the same sophisticated suspension set-up found on the Golf hatch, which should provide excellent ride and handling. A wide choice of engines will also be available, including the powerful yet frugal TDI diesel units, as well as several petrol options, ranging in size from 1.6 to 2.0 litres. The line-up will feature five and six-speed manual gearboxes, as well as a five-speed automatic, but it's unlikely the DSG sequential manual will be offered in the estate.

The load-lugger is expected to arrive at dealerships early in 2006, with prices tipped to be around ΂£750 higher than those of equivalent hatchback models.

For an alternative review of the latest Volkswagen Golf visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk