Volkswagen Golf 4Motion

Volkswagen has unveiled details of a new four-wheel-drive Golf 4Motion, which isn’t expected to make it to the UK. The last four-wheel-drive Golf sold in the UK – aside from the current Golf R – was in the Mk5 line-up.

The new Golf 4Motion is available with two diesel engines: a 104bhp 1.6-litre or a 2.0-litre TDI producing 148bhp. The four-wheel-drive system itself weighs 1.4kg less than the set-up used in the previous Golf 4Motion and is reportedly quicker to respond, too.

The smaller 1.6-litre diesel manages 62.7mpg, while the 2.0-litre unit isn’t far behind, with 60.1mpg. That makes the 2.0-litre diesel around 15 per cent more efficient than the same capacity engine in the old Golf 4Motion.

To help boost traction, all 4Motion variants get electronic diff locks on both axles. There’s air-con, electric windows, daytime running lights and seven airbags, too. The 4Motion costs around £1,500 more than a front-wheel-drive Golf.

But while the 4Motion may not be coming to the UK, we’re expecting the new four-wheel-drive Mk7 Golf R to be on sale here by the end of the year. A Mk6 Golf R Cabriolet is also about to be launched, VW has announced the car will be officially shown on Monday 11 February, 2013.