Volkswagen is presenting the latest generation of the e-Golf in a world premiere at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Compared to its predecessor, the new zero-emission vehicle offers more power, longer range and more features (fully digital instruments and world’s first electric car with gesture control). Decisive here is its increased driving range. In terms of an annual average that is relevant to customers, the e-Golf will now cover up to 125 miles or more in everyday driving on one battery charge – depending on driving style and the use of air conditioning. This represents a range extension of around 50 per cent. Its driving range in the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) is up to 125 miles.
More power
In the e-Golf of the 2017 model year, Volkswagen is employing a new lithium-ion battery whose energy capacity has been increased from 24.2 kWh to 35.8 kWh. The battery can be charged to 80 per cent capacity within an hour at a CCS charging station (DC, 40 kW). When charged overnight or during the work day from a wallbox (AC,7.2 kW), the battery is ready to go again with 100 per cent capacity in less than six hours. The energy is converted into forward propulsion more impressively than ever. The electric motor now develops 100 kW, which is 15 kW more power than the first version of the e-Golf. At the same time, the maximum torque of the electric motor has been boosted from 270 Nm to 290 Nm.
Greater efficiency
In the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC), the combined fuel consumption of the e-Golf is 12.7 kWh/100 km with zero local emissions. Thus, the low energy consumption of the previous model has remained constant despite the increases in power and weight (due to improved battery capacity) in the new e-Golf.
More dynamism
Volkswagen has also improved the performance of the e-Golf in the 2017 model year. The four-door zero-emission car now handles the sprint from 0 to 62 mph in 9.6 seconds (previously:10.4 seconds), and its top speed has been increased 93 mph.
Product line update
Volkswagen introduced a significant update of the Golf in Europe just a week ago. All relevant new features were also implemented in the latest version of the e- Golf being shown in a world premiere in California. They include modified front and rear designs with newly conceptualised full-LED headlights and full-LED tail lights.
More interaction
Another new feature of the e-Golf is the standard Active Info Display (digital instruments). As mentioned, this Volkswagen is also the world’s first electric car to launch with an infotainment system that can be operatedby gesture control; the new “Discover Pro” is also included as standard. Furthermore, the e-Golf is once again being delivered with the online services “e-Remote” (includes starting/stopping battery charging and auxiliary air conditioning) and “Guide & Inform” as well as the App Connect smartphone interface (with MirrorLink™/Android, CarPlay™/Apple and Android Auto™/Google).
More safety
Volkswagen is also extending the range of assistance systems for the e-Golf in the 2017 model year. New available systems are Traffic Jam Assist (semi-autonomous driving up to 37 mph), pedestrian monitoring for Front Assist with City Emergency Braking and Emergency Assist (automatic stopping function in case of medical emergency of the driver).
The design
e-Golf front end
The design of the e-Golf has even more charisma with new detailed solutions. The side extensions of the blue trim strip of the fully closed-off front radiator grille, which is characteristic of the zero-emission model, transition into winglets that run into the new LED dual headlights. The winglets are framed by the LED daytime running lights. Typical e-Golf features: the unmistakable c-shaped LED auxiliary daytime running lights inthe bumper.
e-Golf rear section
The rear was also designed to be more charismatic. Along with the new bumper, the new full-LED tail lights in particular define the design. The top version of the lights has animated indicators. This version can be recognised by a narrow strip of translucent white LEDs that turns orange when indicating. Last, but not least, this version of the tail lights is distinguished by a visually dynamic transition between the LED tail lights and LED brake lights when braking.
Digital e-Golf – Active Info Display and gesture control
Active Info Display
The Active Info Display of the e-Golf is a fully digital instrument cluster with interactive functions. All instruments – including specific e-Golf instruments such as the power meter – are implemented fully virtually on the 12.3-inch colour screen. Basically, there are different information profiles which change the type of information displayed and the graphics in certain areas. Whenever it is needed, information can be integrated on driving,navigation and assistance functions and data such as phone contact images or CD covers.
“Discover Pro”
The standard “Discover Pro” has a large 9.2- inch glass display with a completely new design. A worldwide innovation in this class is that for the first time the system can be operated by gesture control or by the usual touch operation or voice control. Gesture control works in a wide variety of menus. All it takes is a hand swipe gesture to move the horizontally arranged menu items to the left or right, allowing the driver to navigate through the main menu, change radio stations, or browse through the playlist or music album covers. For the first time in a Golf, it is also possible to individually configure the home screen.
Key facts – the new e-Golf in summary
- Annual average driving range, which is relevant to customers, has increased by around 50 per cent to around 125 miles or more in everyday driving.
- World’s first battery-electric car with an infotainment system that offers gesture control as standard.
- Standard Active Info Display with interactive instruments replaces analogue instruments.
- Power boosted 15 kW to 100 kW.
- Torque increased 20 Nm to 290 Nm.
- New e-Golf accelerates to 62 mph in just 9.6 seconds.
- Low consumption of 12.7 kWh per 62 miles has remained constant despite gains in power and driving range.
- Front and rear upgraded by sharpened design.
- New full-LED headlights and full-LED tail lights.
- New assistance systems for more safety: Traffic Jam Assist, Emergency Assist and Front Assist with pedestrian monitoring
