The Golf Alltrack makes its debut in the United States, two years after its European unveiling in Paris.
Mirroring its bigger sibling’s traits – the Passat Alltrack – this new addition to the North American line-up follows a very successful formula, widely used by VW Group’s subsidiaries.
Based on the regular estate version of the Golf, the Alltrack gets a 20mm (0.78in) higher ground clearance along with the Haldex-5 coupling, 4Motion all-wheel drive system – although the vehicle will transfer up to 50 percent of the drive torque to the rear axle only when its sensing limited traction, remaining a front-wheel-drive car most of the time for improved fuel economy.
On the outside, it differs from the normal model with 17-inch “Valley” alloy wheels, door mirror caps painted in glossy “Reflex Silver”, and “Alltrack” badge on the wings, whilst it also features a chrome trim strip beneath the side windows and the “Silver” anodized roof rail. The S and SE trim-lines have 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, while the topline SEL trim has 18-inch wheels.
In Europe, the Golf Alltrack comes with a choice of one petrol unit and three diesels, but for obvious reasons only a 1.8-liter, four-cylinder TSI gasoline engine, capable of sending 170 HP (172 PS) and 199 lb-ft (270 Nm) of torque will be available Stateside. Initially, the engine will be mated to a DSG transmission only, but Volkswagen will also offer a six-speed manual down the road.
The interior is, from the get go, offered with leatherette seating surfaces, but a brown leatherette option is also available alongside aluminum pedal covers, door sills with Alltrack branding and ambient lighting.
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