Design Volkswagen e-Golf

Volkswagen claims its electric hatchback can accelerate to 62 mph in 10.4 seconds and on to an electronically governed (how else?) top speed of 87 mph. The slightly torquier Nissan Leaf managed to hit 60 mph in 10 seconds flat in our testing, so depending on how much the battery-laden Golf weighs, VW’s estimate seems right on target. As for the all-important driving-range estimate, VW thinks the e-Golf is capable of a substantial 118 miles of motoring per charge. That’s quite a bit higher than the EPA’s official range estimates for the Leaf, Focus Electric, 500E, and Fit EV—75 miles, 76, 87, and 82, respectively.

Drivers can tailor the e-Golf’s behavior to their particular driving style via two driving modes, Eco and Eco Plus, as well as four (yep, four) regenerative braking settings, D1–D3 and B. The more aggressive the regen mode, the higher the chance that the e-Golf’s total driving range can be extended—at least in heavy urban traffic. When the battery does run out of juice, Volkswagen says that it can be juiced to 80 percent capacity in as little as half an hour when a DC quick-charger is utilized.

Outwardly, the e-Golf looks pretty much like a regular Golf—albeit one that sits on aerodynamic-looking wheels. Up front, there is a largely blocked-off lower intake and grille, as well as a pair of C-shaped LED running lights. 

Following VW’s color-coded grille-trim theme for special Golf models—a spicy red hue for the GTI, cool silver for the diesel GTD—the e-Golf wears a bright blue stripe from headlight to headlight. At least in Europe, the e-Golf’s peepers will be LED-lit, but we can’t imagine such a high-tech (and expensive) feature would make it to the U.S., where the e-Golf already will be pricey. Still, fielding an electric car is in vogue these days, regardless of cost. The best we can hope for, then, is that the electric Golf will do its best impression of the gas-fed model, whose excellent driving manners and upscale interior have us fidgeting in our seats waiting for it to arrive.