Volkswagen is offering the option of 4MOTION All-Wheel-Drive for the new Golf VI. VW's AWD system however, is added as an option only for the 2.0 TDI model and no other, at least for now. The 2.0 TDI is run by a turbo diesel 2.0-litre engine that produces 103 kW/140 hp and is mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox. Maximum torque is 320Nm, available at 1,750 rpm.
With so much torque inside a mid-sized hatch, AWD makes good sense, more so for people who need extra surface grip while travelling on ice, rain, snow or even gravel. Because the car is diesel-powered, it's able to return very good fuel economy figures of 5.5 litres per 100km. Despite this, the Golf 2.0 TDI is no slouch, dispatching a 0 - 100 km/h time of just 9.4 seconds and recording a top speed of 206 km/h (128 mph).
The previous generation Golf 4MOTION was fitted to the 2.0.liter petrol and diesel versions plus the high-performance Golf R32. It uses the Haldex transmission system that splits engine power between the front and rear axles according to where it is needed the most. Quieter in operation and quicker in reaction, one advantage of the system is that it uses less oil and therefore needs servicing less often.
The Golf 2.0 TDI is currently trading at €25,750.
