Volkswagen e-Golf: New twist on an old favourite

The electric powered incarnation of Volkswagen’s defining modern model, the e-Golf is a familiarly discrete, handsome, classy and practical family hatchback that has proved recently popular in the somewhat hatchback-averse Jordanian market.

Benefitting from import levies favouring Electric Vehicles over traditional combustion engine cars, the e-Golf’s popularity comes despite it is not being officially offered for sale in Jordan and the Middle East. Its substantial sales have instead been as an independent used or new import or through unofficial car traders.

Though not allocated officially for the Jordanian market, the local Volkswagen dealership nonetheless recently started importing used approved examples, such as the 2016 model driven here. 

Unable to sell new e-Golfs yet — like some other official dealerships aren’t able to sell similar new electric cars due brands’ unified regional plans — Volkswagen Jordan, however, also recently gained certification to service e-Golf models to both benefit from and support the model’s popular, if unofficial, market presence.

Similar sensibility

Virtually identical to the regular combustion engine Golf, the e-Golf shares the same clean lines, big glasshouse, sense of momentum and restrained yet sharp styling cues. 

Where it differs beside the obvious lack of exhaust pipe and discreet badges, is its C-shaped LED lighting running along its bumper and framing its fascia. 

The e-golf has also been aerodynamically tweaked with flush alloy wheels, low rolling resistance tyres, different radiator shutter and grille, and underbody panels to achieve low 0.27 drag co-efficiency.

Built on the seventh generation Golf platform with more aluminium content, the e-Golf retains a similar front motor and front-drive layout, while batteries are located at the rear, rather than underneath the floor like some purpose built electric cars. 

Developing 115BHP maximum power and weighed down by its 318kg battery, the e-Golf is far from the quickest Golf. 

However, its 10.4-second 0-100km/h time is perfectly quick enough for an eco-minded family EV, and its electronically-limited 140km/h top speed still exceeds national speed limits.

Responsive and refined

Heavier than even the most powerful range-topping four-wheel-drive turbocharged petrol-powered Golf R, the e-Golf’s generous 199lb/ft torque is more pertinent than power. 

Near-instantly available from start up to its 12,000rpm limit, the e-Golf’s electric powered torrent of torque makes it responsive and confidently versatile at lower speeds, despite its 1,533kg mass. Almost silently smooth, the e-Golf is happy to chirp its driven front wheels, while delivery is uninterrupted through the use of a single-speed automatic gearbox.

At its most efficient and with the best driving range in town driving, in contrast to combustion engine vehicles that are most efficient on motorways, the e-Golf is capable of a 133km combined cycle on a single charge. 

With no compatible fast high capacity charging points available locally, the e-Golf can be charged through either a home charging point system in 4-hours or through the mains socket, which takes up to 20-hours at 110/120V, but presumably less on Jordan’s 230V current. 

Confident commuter

Maneuverable and compact yet refined, reassuring practically sized, the e-Golf is particularly well suited as a commuter car, rather than for long distance driving, where it is limited by range and charging times. 

Easy to drive and park with, terrific driving visibility and comfortable, supportive driving position, the e-Golf’s cabin space is among the best in its class. 

With its batteries located at the rear and a higher boot floor, the e-Golf’s cargo volume is reduced by nearly 40-litres.  

Well-insulated, well-built, quiet and refined inside, the e-Golf felt confident, smooth, reassuringly, stable and comfortable during brief test drive, riding on 205/55R16 tyres with taller, more forgiving sidewalls than more performance-oriented GTI and R models previously driven. 

Similar in character and driving dynamic as petrol-powered sister models, the e-Golf shares a similarly light, quick and direct steering feel, with energy regenerative braking upon lift-off being among the chief differences at lower speeds and in terms of driving style.

Quiet comfort

Familiar yet slightly different, the e-Golf turned in with a similarly agile and alert manner. However when pushed slightly harder into and through corners, the heavier, softer e-Golf, with its instant torque and slimmer tyres leaned a bit more and seemed to have more of an inclination towards torque steer. 

Tidy and composed, the e-Golf seemed to be more willing to understeer than a regular Golf when entering a corner more aggressively or come back on power too early. 

With a seemingly good balance between ride comfort and body control, and a classy, user-friendly cabin layout, clear instrumentation and decent cargo volume of 341-litres that expands to 1,231-litre with the seats down, the e-Golf is also well-equipped with rear view camera, part electric heated seats, and Bluetooth/USB enabled infotainment touchscreen system. 

Good value at starting from JD15,900 for 2019 models, the 28,000km example driven felt taut, well-built and with no rattles, shakes or any sign of adverse wear.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• Engine: Synchronous AC permanent battery, front-mounted electric motor
• Battery, voltage/capacity: Lithium-ion, 323V/24.2kWh
• Gearbox: 1-speed automatic, front-wheel-drive
• Ratios, drive/reverse/final drive: 2.7/2.7/3.61
• Power, BHP (PS) [kW]: 115 (116) [85]
• Torque, lb/ft (Nm): 199 (270)
• Maximum revs: 12,000rpm
• 0-100km/h: 10.4-seconds
• Top speed: 140km/h
• Range, combined: 133km*
• Fuel consumption equivalency, combined: 2-litres/100km*
• Charging time, 240V at 7.2kW wall charger/at 110/120V: 4-/20-hours
• Length: 54,270mm
• Width: 1,799mm
• Height: 1,450mm
• Wheelbase: 2,631mm
• Track, F/R: 1,543/1512mm
• Ground clearance: 126mm
• Aerodynamic drag co-efficiency: 0.27
• Headroom, F/R: 975/967mm
• Legroom, F/R: 1,046/903mm
• Shoulder room, F/R: 1,420/1,370mm
• Luggage volume, min/max: 341-/1,231-litres
• Kerb weight: 1,533kg 
• Payload: 426kg
• Battery weight: 318kg
• Steering: Electric-assisted rack & pinion
• Lock-to-lock: 2.76-turns
• Steering ratio: 13.6:1
• Turning Circle: 10.9-metres
• Suspension: MacPherson struts,/multi-link, anti-roll bars
• Brakes, F/R: Ventilated discs, 287 x 25mm/271 x 10mm
• Tyres: 205/55R16
• Price: from JD15,900, on-the-road without insurance (2016, pre-owned approved)
• *US Environmental Protection Agency figures