New VW Golf Plus - In Detail

Press Release

Interior

• More air to breathe
• 100.7 centimeters: maximum interior height allows a higher seating position
• Completely re-designed: higher built instruments and variable rear seats

It doesn’t matter which of the five doors including the hatchback is opened on the Golf Plus – an entirely new Golf world is concealed inside it. The instruments, the seating system, the door coverings, and many functional components are being used for the first time in this car. A completely new “interior feeling� has been created. A subjective perception of ergonomics and space with resounding objective influences on total comfort, the experience of this car. Taken literally: this Volkswagen marks an increase in space, air, variability, freedom and size. It fits. And it doesn’t matter how many of a maximum of five people are on board.

New dimensions: Naturally the headroom in particular could be enlarged: The maximum interior height is 100.7 centimeters in the front and 97.6 centimeters in the back. The raised seating position of 7.5 centimeters in the front and 8.5 in the back also makes for more relaxing long trips, happier children and a better all-round view.

The new Golf Plus also sets new standards with its interior length of 1.74 meters, because it allows 2.5 extra centimeters of legroom in the back compared to the not exactly cramped classic Golf. In practice this means: Even if a driver of 1.9 meters in height takes over at the wheel of the Golf Plus, a guest of the same stature can sit behind him without digging his knees into the back of the front seat.

And even in this configuration 395 liters of trunk space is still available. Thanks to its adjustable back seat the volume can be increase to 505 liters; with the seat completely folded down there is storage space of 1,450 liters (also see the section on rear seating system).

New instruments: To match the new height of the Golf Plus the research department designed a new instrument cluster base. The combination of an instrument cluster built significantly higher in the center and the seating position similarly raised by 7.5 centimeters creates an ergonomic and visual impression that the elements of SUV, MPV and compact mid-range have been merged into a new class of car.

In particular the instruments rising upwards in the middle and the useful functionality of the Golf Plus are by all means reminiscent of a mixture of van and off-road vehicle. It goes without saying that this Volkswagen will be easy to handle.

Middle console in Detail: Four (of a total of eight) air vents arranged in this area are round, not square, and have a chrome border. They are now located on the sides and no longer above the audio or navigation system. The Golf Plus air conditioning is located, as usual, underneath.

Everything is a little different: These kinds of modifications are spread across the interior, referring to the gearbox tunnel and it’s console, middle armrest and passenger area, door trimming and the seating system. In all of these places the Golf driver will see new things and just as often find the familiar in details. He will certainly find an abundance of options for storing and securing items - up to 43 depending on equipment. For example, it’s possible to put a street atlas in the front door pocket next to a 1.5 liter bottle. Another compartment is located above the driver in the ceiling area. A large roof console with four compartments is available as an option.

Front seating system: Compared to the Golf, all seats in the Golf Plus are positioned higher. The driver enjoys a perfect all-round perspective and passengers get an all-encompassing view. As for the driver’s area, the position of the steering column and the angle of the gas pedal angle have been perfectly and ergonomically adjusted to the higher seating position. As outlined previously, more than 100 centimeters of interior height at the front make sure that even the tallest of us don’t have to worry about making contact with the ceiling.

Starting with the Comfortline series the Golf Plus comes with a 2-way back support setting for the driver and passenger seat as standard equipment. In combination with a leather interior and/or electric seat adjustment this includes an electric 4-way lumbar support setting on the driver’s side (front passenger seat is adjusted manually). The Golf Plus can be optionally equipped with a passenger seat armrest that folds down towards the front. This feature adds 2.30 meters to the maximum length of usable inside storage. Or the foldable passenger seat armrest can be used as a place to keep beverages in the integrated plastic table with integrated cup holders. When the passenger seat is in normal position the table, just like on the driver’s side, can be folded up, to be used as a table and beverage holder for backseat passengers, both big and small.

Rear seating system: Generally, the back has a lot to offer. This applies especially to the new rear seating system. As part of standard equipment, this can be divided on a 40/60 ratio. The same holds true for the backs of the rear seats that can be folded down in a 40:20:40 ratio. The seats can also be moved independently from one another up to 160 millimeters laterally. Length adjustment is done easily using the lever under each seat section. Depending on the size of passengers or the load being carried the volume of the trunk can vary from between a minimum 395 liters and a maximum of 505 liters. Up to 1,450 liters of storage capacity is available if the backs of the rear seats are lowered completely. The angle of the back supports in the rear can also be adjusted in multiple settings, which can be a great help when making the proper adjustments for a child seat.

Rear seating kinematics system: The seat backs are remarkably easy to fold down. You only have to pull on a loop below the armrest area to release the catch. When the rear seats are lowered, a cleverly designed kinematics system automatically lowers the seating area, resulting in an almost level storage space. Seating area and back rest amount to just 160 millimeters when folded down.

A luggage net attached behind front or back seats and another net for the floor of the trunk (which can also be drawn tight and used as a bag net) guarantees that the load doesn't develop a life of its own. Both nets are optionally available. In addition, a standard fastener in front of the back seats on the passenger side ensures that a large, standard-size umbrella can be stored away safely, saving space and still easily accessible.

Multi-functional middle seat: The Golf Plus seats 5 people. If you don't need the middle seat as such, but could use the extra storage space, you can put down the back to hold your skis, for example. This can be done practically from both the inside and the trunk.

In the first of three possible variations the back becomes a table with integrated cup holders. In the second variation a pad can be used to transform it into a comfortable middle armrest. In the third variation the back seat becomes a large, multi-functional compartment that also has integrated cup holders. This box, available separately, is easy to lock into place in the folded-down seat back. Children on board can then have fun using a one-of-a-kind toy box.

Variable trunk floor: The floor of the trunk also proves to be flexible to use, because it has two settings for adjusting its height. A dual position adjustment rack allows for extra storage space to open up when adjusted to the higher level, used to hold smaller items or sports equipment such as a tennis racket and shoes. At the same time an almost level storage space is created by two variable plates attached to the seat back between the trunk and the lowered rear seat rests. For maximum storage capacity, the floor and variable plates can of course also be removed if necessary.

230-V outlet: The Golf Plus is a car that lets you have fun. Because the amount of well thought out attention given to the details makes life easier. Because it surprises you again and again. With electricity, for instance. An optional 230-V outlet is available for the back half of the middle armrest, enabling you to recharge your laptop battery or other devices. The center console between the front seats comes in two versions. The top model offers an armrest with an integrated storage compartment with cooling option (in cars with air-conditioning) as well as the option of integrating an optional CD jukebox or a DVD player from VW Individual’s Rear Seat Entertainment range.

Rear Seat Entertainment: The system is controlled from the rear either using an operating panel at the back of the middle console or a remote control. You can listen using the on-board loudspeakers or headset included in delivery, ensuring that it's also possible to listen to both DVD and radio simultaneously. An AUX interface allows for the connection of a games console or camcorder. As soon as the system is activated via a play button and the 7-inch monitor is folded out from the roof console's end compartment, the cinema experience can begin.

Air conditioning: Like the classic Golf, in terms of air conditioning there is a choice between standard ventilation/heating, semi-automatic air conditioning (Climatic/standard for the Comfortline and Trendline) and Climatronic.

The two air conditioning systems are distinguished by a combination filter, which doesn’t just fulfill the function of a pollen filter, but also contributes to an additional improvement in air quality in the interior using an active charcoal filter. A glove compartment with cooling option also comes with both versions

Climatic: This air conditioning system works semi-automatically and in contrast to conventional, manual systems offers the advantage that the selected temperature is maintained, even when outside conditions change, a feature normally only provided by a climate control system. The inside temperature is measured by an element visible in the middle of the Climatic button panel. The sensor has no moving parts and is therefore free from wear.

Climatronic: The fully automatic air conditioning system was designed as a two-zone system. The driver and passenger can set their own air conditioning separately from one another. The temperature for both sides is shown to within a half degree of accuracy is separate displays. It is not necessary to readjust when outside conditions change. Added comfort is contributed by the fact that the intensity of sunlight on the driver and passenger side is also detected separately and fed into the control.

In combination with the Climatronic the new Golf also provides indirect ventilation via an additional air vent. This air vent is located on top of the re-designed instrument panel instead of the integrated storage compartment normally provided. The interior is ventilated virtually with creating drafts, an approach similar to the one first demonstrated in the Phaeton. In addition, additional optional air vents are available for the back section of the middle console, adding improved air conditioning comfort in the back.

As in the classic Golf, the climate control system automatically switches to circulating air when the car is driven in reverse; when the windshield washer is activated, an intelligent control instantly interrupts fresh air intake. Both air conditioning systems also have an externally regulated compressor. It features low power consumption. The result: a reduction in fuel consumption.

Auxiliary heating: An auxiliary heating system is also optionally available (not for the 55 kW gas gasoline engine). It also offers menu-driven operation via the instrument cluster for climate control. Auxiliary heating is activated via a time or an instant heat button. It can also be programmed via remote control.

Passive safety: Like every Volkswagen, the Golf Plus features an excellent protection system. Restraint system example: As standard equipment every version of the new Golf Plus comes with six airbags (front airbags, side airbags and head airbags running across the entire flank of the vehicle). Side airbags for the back are also available as an option. In addition, the front seats have active headrests (AKS) and pyrotechnic seat-belt tighteners with integrated belt force limiters (the later also in the back). Last, but not least, even the base model has five three-point seat belts and five headrests, also for the middle seat in the back. Also as standard on board equipment: Isofix child seat points in the two outer rear seats (optionally available for the passenger seat) and an option to disable the passenger airbag.

Seat-belt system: The seat-belt restraints are electrically activated by a central control device depending on accident severity. Seat-belt restraint provides an early and ergonomically ideal connection of the driver and passenger to the vehicle structure. This allows energy to be dissipated over a longer span of time with correspondingly gentler deceleration values. The seat-belt force limiters prevent excessive torso stress from seat-belt straps. The seat-belt systems in the back are also equipped with force limiters. Re-designed retraction devices optimized for comfort also provide a high level of wearing comfort.

Front airbags: The front restraint system consists of a driver airbag with a capacity of 60 liters and a passenger airbag with a capacity of 120 liters. Like the classic Golf, a further improvement of passive safety is provided by the steering column with a novel clamp for longitudinal and vertical adjustment. This clamp together with the steering track rod prevents the steering wheel from moving upwards in the event of a crash.

Side airbags: As before, the side airbags of the Golf are integrated in the front seat backrests. They protect the chest, abdomen and pelvis and have been optimally adapted to the car's more rigid side structure. An innovative sensor concept also provides for faster triggering times. Integrating the side airbags in the backrests ensures optimum positioning of the driver and front passenger with respect to the airbags. The same applies to the optional rear side airbags.

Head airbags: Volkswagen also uses especially large head airbags (window airbags) as standard equipment to prevent to reduce the risk of injury to the area of the head during a side crash. In detail, these airbags cover the side window areas from the A-pillar to the C-pillar and from the headlining down to over the doorsill. The result of this feature is that maximum protection is afforded to all outer seat positions regardless of passenger body size. The fact that these airbags cover such a large area prevents the head from swinging out, extremities from being thrown out and objects from penetrating the interior even in the event of the car overturning.