The E-Golf, the purely electric version of the VW Golf class, is lagging behind in terms of registration numbers. Volkswagen customers are waiting for the all-electric ID3. This year the e-Golf is over. The Golf 8 is still available as a partially electrified version - as a hybrid, which is always equipped with an internal combustion engine in addition to an electric motor. After the list price has been reduced to 31.900 euros, the last e-Golf can now be obtained as a bargain for around 20.000 euros with sufficient research. A look back at our practical test from 2018.
Interior
In terms of interior design, the E-Golf does not differ significantly from its brothers with internal combustion engines. The practical and traditional arrangement and operation of the ergonomically arranged control elements testify to a long tradition in vehicle construction. The almost 10-inch info display with integrated “Discover Pro” infotainment system in the test vehicle, which can also be operated with gesture control, is striking. Swipe and find, just like on a smartphone. All menu items can be selected with your finger on the touchscreen and then adjusted in the submenu items. However, the operation of the softkeys is a bit cumbersome. You can jump to the menu item with just light pressure.
The comfort seats offer reliable lateral support and can be individually adapted to your own needs. The multifunction steering wheel contains an extensive range of controls for hands-free and audio control. It is just as easy to connect a smartphone and use it to play music, for example. Voice control, which can be switched on and off on the steering wheel, is now standard. Here it is up to you to look for the dialogue or to continue to rely on manual operation.
Ranges
When it comes to range, when the outside temperature is cool, we can only take up and confirm the information in the numerous tests and electric car forums. The manufacturer's specifications of 300 km can only be achieved with a very economical driving style under appropriate external conditions. With our cool outside temperatures during the test times - mostly between 0 and 10 ° C outside temperatures - 150 to 200 km can realistically be achieved, with outside frost between 100 and 150 km with typically switched on consumers such as heating, seat heating or rear window heating. The best way to understand the consumption is always on the digital display. The consumption per 100 km in kilowatt hours and the remaining range are clearly displayed here.
The early start in the morning in frosty weather and the car has cooled down quickly shows how much the required heat energy increases consumption, where between 20 and 30 kWh per 100 km are consumed very quickly.
e-Golf practical test at cool temperatures
We tested the e-Golf intensively for 2 weeks: short journeys, city freeways, speed 30 zones or freeway journeys. What is striking in all situations are the rapid acceleration values and sufficient dynamics when overtaking. Compared to its predecessor, the new e-Golf has the larger 100 kW (136 PS) engine, which allows a top speed of up to 150 km / h (previously 115 km / h). With a torque of 290 Nm, it even surpasses the current Golf 1,8 TSI. It sprints to 9,6 km / h in 100 seconds. The dynamic cannot always be extended in dense city traffic, but it has a positive effect on country roads and city highways.
In practice, it is noticeable that some people can no longer perceive the car acoustically due to the very low background noise. A gadget of the new e-Golf is the sound module, which can be activated via the center console and with which clearly perceptible noises can be activated by loudspeakers for passers-by or cyclists.
Emergency braking assistants and semi-autonomous driving
Only a few road users remain hidden from the current Golf. Everything that moves in front of or behind the Golf is recorded by the integrated sensors and passed on to the driver in a noticeable manner. This applies to both vehicles and passing pedestrians. You can also learn to appreciate semi-autonomous driving: It can be used very well in ongoing traffic up to a speed of 60 km / h. With the help of adaptive lane guidance, it stays safely in the lane even in heavy traffic.
In cooperation with the automatic distance control, the interaction between braking and acceleration also takes place autonomously - pleasant and relaxed driving in ongoing city traffic. In an emergency, the driver, who is neither steering, accelerating nor braking, is woken up with various alarms with the aid of "Emergency Assist". A parking assistant integrated for tight parking spaces (215 euros surcharge) can only be activated in certain constellations. If you want to park the car independently, you can adapt to the assistant here after a few attempts.
At the end there are questions about everyday shopping and recharging. What fits in the trunk? Up to 3 crates of beer, each with 24 bottles, can be easily stowed next to each other. Because we didn't want to charge the car at the socket all night, we simply used 3 fast charging stations from Tank and Rast and 2 nearby from VW dealers for the test. Our experience with the 50 kW fast charging station found in all situations was an average of 35 minutes charging time up to the 80 percent limit in cool weather.
e-Golf loading times
You can calculate about 20 minutes for the remaining 15 percent. If you take an hour for shopping, lunch break or other errands, these fast charging stations are definitely the right choice. In practice, you should therefore think about how you can best deal with the charging infrastructure in the area, without planning major detours. The easiest way is, of course, charging via the wallbox in your own garage.
If you value a good resale value, you should definitely order the following accessories: the quick charging socket for the CCS system with a surcharge of 625 euros, the optional heat pump for 975 euros and the winter package including heated washer nozzles for 450 euros. This means you are definitely on the safe side when it comes to reselling.
Summary
Anyone who equips the e-Golf with the listed technical accessories can use the vehicle perfectly, especially for commuting or for short trips. The intensive practical test has shown that consumption is heavily dependent on the personal user profile and the outside temperatures. The e-Golf is technically and in terms of its usage profile an ideal everyday car for short journeys.
Addendum:
Article from the green car magazine 2018.
Images copyright green car magazine
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