Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen TDI 4Motion concept: First look

The 2015 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen gets a North American preview at the New York auto show next week as a very lightly disguised TDI 4Motion concept. The production Golf station wagon will get either a 2.0-liter TDI turbocharged diesel or 1.8-liter turbocharged gasoline engine when it goes on sale in the U.S. in early 2015, but VW representatives wouldn't confirm whether a production 4Motion Golf Sportwagen would be offered.

The new Golf wagon replaces the Jetta Sportwagen and is based on VW's MQB architecture, which also underpins the new Golf hatchback, and a few other cars in its portfolio. The new wagon is 1.1 inches longer and 0.7 inches wider than the outgoing Jetta model, as well as 0.9 inches lower. VW notes the coefficient of drag has been reduced 10 percent. Rear-seat, leg, shoulder and headroom have all been improved.

Volkswagen
A refined interior marks the new Golf Sportwagen, which is based on the seventh-generation VW Golf.

The 1.8-liter TSI gasoline engine makes 170 hp, which is a 17 percent improvement over the 2.5-liter in the current Jetta Sportwagen. VW didn't reveal official EPA numbers, but that improvement would put it near 27 mpg city, 35 highway. The TDI diesel Golf Sportwagen will make 150 hp, and around 240 lb-ft of torque. Gas-powered Sportwagens get either a five-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission; TDI models get a six-speed manual or VW's dual-clutch DSG transmission.

Designers Walter de Silva and Klaus Bischoff call the design “cab backward,” meaning it has a “long hood and the passenger compartment is a long way towards the back.” That MQB architecture dictates a fixed relationship between the front wheel centerline and the pedals.

Volkswagen
New Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen diesel models get a 10 hp bump over current TDI Jetta Sportwagens, to 150 hp. The 4Motion TDI is a concept at this point.

The new Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen will offer an available panoramic sunroof, automatic climate control, VW's Advanced Front-Lighting System and Park Distance Control.

The Sportwagen will also feature a new driver-assistance system that engages the vehicle's brakes after a collision, reducing the risk of a secondary collision.

We'll find out more at the New York auto show next week.

The 2014 New York auto show runs April 16-27 and is expected to attract a range of production and concept cars including the 2015 Mustang convertible, BMW M4 convertible and next Hyundai Sonata. Check out Autoweek's complete coverage at autoweek.com/new-york-auto-show.

By Jake Lingeman