Volkswagen Looking To Use Golf Name & Style For New EV

The VW Golf has an interesting history. Since debuting in the late 70s here in America, it’s been a great option for everyday use with fun-natured driving engineered in. In America, we knew it as the Rabbit for years before it became the Golf, just like in Europe. The only Golf models currently on sale are the GTI and Golf R (the Golf R being the only one that actually wears a Golf badge).

The OG Hot Hatch

With the GTI, you get a front-wheel drive hot hatch with a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 that makes 241 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. Stepping up to the Golf R gives you an all-wheel drive ultra-hot hatch… or is that a super hot hatch? Regardless, it has an upgraded 2.0-liter turbo inline-4 like the GTI, but with 315 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. 

For its next-generation Golf, VW will be considering it as their all-new small, affordable electric-only hatchback that should feature a lithium iron phosphate prismatic battery along with their new MEB-Plus platform. 

EVs are VWs Future

We have been expecting a new, smaller EV from VW called the ID.2 to go along with the ID.4 and recently debuted ID.7, plus the Europe-only ID.6. However, company executives seem to be backing away from the ID name in favor of genuine vehicle names, at least in this case. Hence why the popular Golf would be the future name of a small electric vehicle. 

Reportedly, thanks to its hatchback style and electric batteries, the new Golf will have similar interior volume to crossovers that are a step up in size and price. Speaking of price, the new electric Golf should come in at around a $25,000 base price. 

To America Or Not To America

However, with all of this speculation, it’s still too early to know whether or not the EV Golf will make it to the United States. It would be a real shame if it didn’t because the offering would likely see electric versions of the GTI and Golf R, or at least some sort of battery-assisted hot hatches that also have a small 4-cylinder turbo motor, much like they do now.

Regardless of whether or not the Golf comes to America as an EV-only model, it’s clear that Volkswagen is committed to an electric future with high-class offerings in the crossover and sedan segments. So there is absolutely no doubt we will get fun, smaller offerings from them that could possibly recreate the hot hatch game. 

If you are ready to get behind the wheel of the ID.4 or ready to reserve the ID.BUZZ, contact us today at Bud Browm Volkswagen.