VOLKSWAGEN E-GOLF

3 916 km 13,1 kwh/100 km

+ makes good use of MQB chassis

- range decreases at any hint of enthusiastic driving

As the COVID-19 pandemic has created logistical complications with our long-term fleet, Volkswagen South Africa graciously extended our tenure with its electrified Golf and, as restrictions lift, the EV is being used more frequently. I sampled it back to back with the GTI TCR (tested on page 70) and have come to appreciate how the MQB platform really has become a Swiss army knife for the German manufacturer. Here in the E-golf, it accommodates the large battery pack and maintains a plush ride; while in the TCR, it takes that same chassis and turns it into a hardedged performance car.

Despite the E-golf not being a driver’s car in a traditional sense, you can still enjoy being behind the wheel thanks to its seamless power delivery, poised suspension and progressive steering system.

Obviously, with its harder compound tyres and heavier mass, it’s not as agile as its Gti-badged brethren but it does make a strong case for an electrified hot hatch. This is something VW has already experimented with in the hybrid GTE which employs a 1,4-litre TSI and 8,7 kwh battery pack to make 150 kw; quite a bit more than the E-golf’s 100 kw output.

Volkswagen has shown a clear dedication in striving for electrification so a fully electric hot hatch must be on the brand’s to-do list. It’s unlikely we’ll see it in the upcoming eighth-generation; however, Volkswagen confirmed all future electrified endeavours will apply to the ID sub-brand.

The future of electrification remains as uncertain as it did when the BMW i3 and Nissan Leaf were introduced to our market in 2014. There is still hefty taxation and charging infrastructure remains scant until products become more affordable. Needless to say, South Africa’s road to electrified motoring is going to be a long one.