186-mile Volkswagen e-Golf on sale 2 years sooner than expected

Release Date: Spring 2014 in Europe, Late 2014 in North America
MSRP: $35,445 in US, £25,845 in UK, €34,900 in Europe
Battery Pack Size: 24.2 kWh
Electric Range: 118 miles NEDC
MPGe: 116
Visit the Volkswagen e-Golf Forum

At the recent Geneva Motor Show, Volkswagen’s Matthias Muller said the “heavily revamped Volkswagen e-Golf will go on sale at the end of this year or early next year.”

Back in February, CEO Dr. Herbert Diess talked about the next version of the e-Golf that he had already given tentative approval to. Using basic car-manufacturer math, people across the internet assumed that meant a model year 2019 Golf EV that could go on sale as early as late 2018. However, the new information revealed in Geneva shows the 186-mile EV range e-Golf could show up 2 years sooner!

That puts the new version of the EV out about the same time as Chevrolet’s 200-mile Bolt EV. How will the electrified Golf compete? Currently, the e-Golf is priced at $29,500 in the USA. That would put it about $8000 less than the Chevrolet Bolt. If the battery powered Golf does actually make around 170 miles or more on the EPA test, then it could prove to be a worthy competitor to the Bolt EV.

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8 Comments on "186-mile Volkswagen e-Golf on sale 2 years sooner than expected"

  1. “Currently, the e-Golf is priced at $29,500 in the USA. That would put it about $8000 less than the Chevrolet Bolt.”

    Who writes this dribble, some millennial moron?

    The 2016 e-Golf $29,500) has an 83-mile range with a 3.6kW OBD. The Chevy Bolt ($37,500) will have twice the range and both 7.2kW and DCC on-board.

    You an bet the 186-mile EV range e-Golf will be as much as both the Chevy Bolt and the Tesla 3.

    • Ha, thanks!

      Actually, that was the point of the comment. The e-Golf can only be competitive if it’s less than the Bolt, since the revamped e-Golf will have less range and possibly no DCC. If Volkswagen can keep the price the same, or only slightly more, it will come in a few thousand cheaper than the Chevy Bolt and may give it a competitive edge.

      And no, sorry, I’m not a millennial; moron status is up for debate!

  2. John Kern | July 3, 2016 at 5:02 am |

    VW should make these available at a discount to the TDI owners who have to fix or turn in their diesel models. At least in many states, these cars are much easier on the environment (depending on how much of the local electricity is from renewable sources).

  3. After VW criminal management’s long-term diesel-poisoning people to make money, I’ll be happy with the Chevy Bolt. TDI owners are getting compensated already. I stayed away from diesels, because I knew they weren’t “clean” diesels. Before the VW scandal, many people, myself included, already knew that the Prius was nearly 10 times cleaner than diesels. Now, after the scandal, it is shocking to know that one diesel puts out the pollution of 400 Prius cars. TDI owners pretended they had “clean” diesels & derided people who knew they weren’t “clean” diesels.

  4. John Kern | July 3, 2016…these cars are much easier on the environment (depending on how much of the local electricity is from renewable sources). ////// Most coal-fired powerplants are NOT in-city, so electric cars are greatly superior to diesels & gasoline engines(ICE), in-city. With the great electric motor efficiency over ICE, even EVs powered by coal are pollution-superior to ICE.

  5. alas it looks like it was all foolish smoke and mirrors. the 2017 model year has the same range as the 2016 model year. MAYBE the 2018 model year will be available in the fall of 2017 and have this longer range. maybe.

    in the mean time, it’s possible that current shoppers will be hesitant to buy something they know will be superseded with a clearly superior version, of the same car, at the same price, within 12 months.

    i realize VW was hoping to convince some BOLT buyers to wait for the 2018 eGolf, but it seems like a dangerous gambit.

  6. John Kern: I agree. I bought a 2013 Jetta TDI, and love the car. I will, however, be selling it back to VW: I bargained for a “clean” car, and didn’t get it, though the car is stellar in every other way.
    I would have gladly traded it in for an eGolf, but Jetta is playing the same tired game as most car manufacturers: compliance car only. I live in Utah and you cannot get an electric VW here, nor will you be able to for the foreseeable future. My choices here were between the Smart ED, a BMW I3 (which I cannot afford), or a Tesla (which I also cannot afford). Guess what? 2014 Leaf! I love the car: I bought it off-lease with 21k miles on it, 12 bars, and in like new condition, for $11,250. THAT I can afford!

  7. Robert Simon | February 15, 2017 at 1:56 am |

    Hi Craig
    I agree that a used Leaf is a great deal. I live in Canada and picked up a 2013 Leaf SV two years ago, also off lease. Buying a used Leaf is a great deal as you get the rebates whn it6w as new priced in, plus a significant discount on depreciation and for a 2 year old car, an almost brand new car still under warranty.

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