This is absolutely the final one. Promise. Following the fairly vitriolic response to the
GTD Estate
story it's probably worth stating from the off there won't be any more Golf offshoots tested on PH in the near future. Unless the
R400
sees the light of day soon, that is. The PH focus on the launch was the Golf R Estate, obviously, but the other models were available to drive at the same event. And if you're not interested in the other Golf models you don't have to read about them, do you?
Not a reincarnation of this. Boo
Anyway, the Golf Attack. Sorry, Alltrack. VW says it continues where the Passat Alltrack begun in 2012 but we're nerdier and have longer memories than that; this should be a modern Golf Country. A huge raise in suspension, underbody protection, bull bars and a spare wheel on the boot. Simple, unpretentious, back-to-basics Golf off-roading. And quite cool as well. As you can see, the Alltrack isn't that. Over a conventional Golf Estate the ride height is raised by 20mm, there's an off-road driving profile which tweaks throttle and gearbox response, some body cladding and a version of the R's Haldex four-wheel drive.
Appropriately enough the Alltrack driving begins off-road, at an Ascari course with more challenge than you might expect. The Golf proves perfectly adept (it would be daft to launch the car somewhere out of its depth) and also shows it will be more than capable of dealing with whatever UK customers will ask of it. Hill descent control in a Golf is really quite notable and works very well. Power is distributed where it's needed swiftly (or so it seems) and it tackles very steep ascents without drama. Obviously it's not a Land Cruiser but the Alltrack is easily good enough in the mud and dust. It'll even do the one wheel pawing at the air axle articulation thing.
Matt - is this off-road testing or simply a crash?
And on the road? It's, er, much like a Golf estate in fact. Compared to the GTD, the Alltrack is actually more comfortable, that increased ride height contributing to increased suppleness at all speeds. However it's noticeably less accelerative too - the penalty for the 4x4 gubbins is 109kg, predictably taking its toll on performance. It certainly doesn't struggle anywhere but overtakes aren't quite as effortless and where the identically-engined GTD can feel quick the Alltrack doesn't. Hardly a criticism, more an observation from driving a lot of Golfs... Going purely off the numbers the 110hp Alltrack is probably best avoided; 0-62mph isn't the most relevant stat but when did you last see 12.1 seconds next to it?
It's a good car though, the Alltrack, and arguably the most interesting of the three Golf wagons tested because it delivered something unexpected. It really is far more capable off-road than you think. From a PH perspective surely an estate with 4x4 ability is more acceptable than a full-blown SUV as well. Will buyers think similarly? We'll have to wait and see, but the Alltrack certainly doesn't hold a significant price advantage. To have a 184hp diesel in the Golf costs £30,595, which is a lot. The equivalent Tiguan is £31,650, not an awful lot more in the grand scheme of things. Again there are more affordable alternatives to the from Skoda and SEAT with the Octavia Scout and Leon X-Perience respectively. Capable but costly in the familiar VW Golf fashion then. And that's the last of 'em for a while! Promise.
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF ALLTRACK ESTATE
Engine: 1,968cc, 4-cyl turbodiesel
Transmission: 6-speed DSG, all-wheel drive
Power (hp): 184@3,500rpm
Torque (lb ft): 280@1,750rpm
0-62mph: 7.8sec
Top speed: 136mph
Weight: 1,584kg
MPG: 56.5mpg (NEDC combined)
CO2: 132g/km
Price: £30,595