New All Electric VW Golf Announced

Set to go on sale in 2013 Volkswagen have announced it will be producing an all electric plug in version of the hugely popular Golf. Called the Golf Blue-e-Motion the new EV features a zero emission drive train powered by increasingly popular lithium ion batteries.

The Golf is to make up just one segment of the intended broad spectrum of electric vehicles to be added to Volkwagens range by 2013, including an electric Jetta and Lavida - focused on the chinese market.

Until multiple electric vehicle models hit Volkswagen showrooms in the future, the car giant plans to launch its electric car range with the introduction of the first Blue-e-Motion vehicle, the 'Up'. This is a car described by VW as a “city specialist” and was previewed in concept form at last year’s Frankfurt motor show.

Unveiled by German chancellor, Angela Merkel, the launch model is based on the 6th generation Golf, however, the showroom version of the Blue-e-Motion is planned to form part of the seventh generation Golf range that will begin heading into UK showrooms in the same year.

The 115bhp electric motor sits up front in the space normally occupied by the Golf’s petrol or diesel engines, develops 113bhp and 199lb ft of torque demonstrating once again the torque benefits of electric motors. This all drives the front wheels through a new single gear gearbox developed by Volkswagen called the "MQ210".

The lithium-ion battery pack mounted within the middle tunnel of the floorpan sits under the rear seat and in the floor of the boot, this makes a welcoming change to how Mini have replaced their back seats in place of the battery. The pack is said to allow for a range of 93miles and in an effort to reduce mechanical drag, it uses a separate clutch that automatically decouples its electric motor on a trailing throttle to provide what Volkswagen describes as “sailing effect”.

At 1545kg, the electric Golf weighs in as a chunky little devil at more than 305kg than the existing Golf 1.6 TDI BlueMotion. As a result Volkswagen says it hits 62mph from standstill in 11.8sec and reaches a top speed that, in the interests of retaining battery charge, is limited to 87mph. Not the most performance orientated vehicle to then but nonetheless the purpose of the new electric Golf is to make city driving more eco friendly.