First look: VW adds Golf Plus

VOLKSWAGEN has come from left-field by revealing a more spacious, more flexible variant of its fifth generation Golf hatch at last week’s Bologna motor show.

In an unprecedented move by the German car giant, the so-called Golf Plus offers a 1580mm high roof that delivers 95mm more interior space (but 54mm less than the Touran people-mover sold in Europe) than its donor car, the five-door Golf.

Due on sale in Germany by late January, Golf Plus features unmistakable Golf V styling but comes with new doors, bumpers, wings, roof and bonnet panels, along with new lights at both ends.

Capitalising on the higher roof is a multi-function, split-folding rear seating system that slides lengthways by 160mm, lowering itself in the process to produce a near-level storage area which, along with a height-adjustable storage surface, produces up to 43 storage and attachment possibilities.

Along with more upright seats all round, the higher roof also liberates 1007mm of front headroom and 976mm at the rear – along with the larger cargo area that now spans from 395 to 505 and even 1405 litres, depending on seat placement. Golf Plus will also debut integrated LED tail-light technology.

There is no plan to bring Golf Plus to Australia.