Plus means increase

The Golf Plus seems to be just a Golf with a raised roof. If you continue reading this article with this idea in mind, you will definitely get A big surprise. Because Golf Plus actually has new proportions and an independent body, even the interior is newly designed. Listen to what its designer Andreas Minter has to say: “With the exception of the door handles and exterior mirrors, every component is new and every detail of the interior has been updated. "So what is the difference between this high-roof golf variant and the previous two cars:) What benefits do car owners get?

The first is the height, which is also the most eye-catching aspect of Golf Plus. The roof of the Plus is "half a head" higher than the fifth-generation Golf, which is 9.5 centimeters. But it is 5.5 cm shorter than the Touran, which can be called a "small MPV". As a result, the head's movement space is obviously larger than that of the Golf. And buying a Plus now will get you more than buying a second-generation Golf: larger interior space, more flexible functionality, more comfortable seats, more configurations and more exquisite details. The only thing missing is the "Plus" logo on the rear of the car. Frandorff, head of Volkswagen's sales department, explained: "We consciously did not hang the Plus wording on the body in order to prevent people from calling the fifth-generation Golf Minus (meaning reduction, lack)." This is not difficult to understand, because Plus means increase. If such a logo is hung on the car body, the shorter Golf will inevitably be misunderstood as if it has lost something. This is certainly not Volkswagen's original intention. It seems that they are not completely satisfied with the name Plus.

Sitting in the Plus car, I feel that the increased headroom is not excessive because the sitting position is a bit higher than that of the Golf. The front seat position has been raised by 7.5 centimeters, while the rear row has been raised by 8.5 centimeters. This stepped layout allows rear passengers to look forward over the heads of the front row, like sitting in a movie theater. Another immediate benefit is that it is easier to get in and out of the vehicle because you can enter and exit straight up. The Plus' roof is also wider than the Golf's, giving all passengers more shoulder room. The larger windshield and higher sitting position give the PIus a wider view inside the car, which is obviously different from the Golf. It's just a little inconvenient when parking, because the steeply sloping hood makes it difficult to judge the position of the front bumper. The changes in the front and rear headlights reflect that the Golf Plus pays more attention to details than the standard Golf. The shape of the headlights adopts the same stable shape as the Touran, and can be equipped with bi-xenon cornering lights and LED taillights. The newly designed interior is eye-catching. The air-conditioning outlets have been changed to circular ones, chrome decoration has been added, and their positions have also been changed to both sides of the center console. The position of the audio and navigation systems has been moved upwards and is more centralized, forming two completely separate areas from the air conditioning control knobs below. Six airbags, electronic stability control, central locking, power windows and power steering are standard on all Golf Plus models.

Depending on different configuration levels, there are up to 43 storage spaces and devices for fixing items in the car. Although not everyone can use it, couples with children will definitely appreciate the 1.5-liter beverage bottle holder, umbrella holder, roof storage compartment and rear seat folding table, as well as those ubiquitous hooks and small rings. , small slots and the like. The luggage compartment is 20% larger than that of the Golf, and the luggage compartment is also more variable. The rear seats can not only be folded separately, but can also be moved longitudinally by 1.6 centimeters. The backrests can be folded very easily, and the seat cushions will sink accordingly, leaving a flat luggage space. The front passenger seat's backrest also folds down to accommodate extra-long items. There is a power socket in the center armrest of the front seat and a double-layered luggage compartment. The base B will have a very secret storage space. Of course all this costs more than a Golf, but compared to a standard Golf, the Golf Plus with a 75-horsepower 1.4-liter gasoline engine starts at 16,740 euros, which is only 525 euros more expensive than the Golf, and the lowest-priced Touran Also costs 19,900 euros.

The revised Touran can provide a 102-horsepower 1.6-liter engine, and the Touran is 18 centimeters longer and 10 centimeters longer. The wheelbase can seat 7 people, while the Plus can only seat 4-5 people, and the luggage compartment is 25% smaller. Therefore, Golf Plus is closer to Golf and will not pose a threat to Touran.

So who will buy the Plus? Frandorf said: "The Golf Plus mainly competes for customers of the Peugeot 307, as well as those who like golf but want more convenience in getting in and out of the car. The sitting position is higher and the luggage People who want a larger cabin and don’t want to buy a van. Volkswagen wants to expand the Golf brand and maximize the expansion of the Golf family. We don’t want to offer a 20th engine, but rather offer more Golf variants.” The first batch of Golf Plus was delivered to customers at the end of January 2005. There are two gasoline engines and two diesel engines to choose from. Volkswagen plans to sell 150,000 units this year.