2015 Volkswagen e-Golf Review

Volkswagen is climbing aboard the EV (electric vehicle) train with the introduction of the 2015 e-Golf. On sale for several months now in Europe, America will get its first taste of the production version of the all-electric Golf this November when it hits dealers in a few select EV friendly markets.

As the name implies, the e-Golf ditches the regular Golf’s assortment of gasoline and diesel engines for an electric motor. Developing 115 HP and 199 lb-ft of torque, the e-Golf is the least powerful version of the Volkswagen hatchback, but does make the second most amount of torque. Power is still fed to the front wheels, but now through a single-speed, direct-drive automatic transmission.

Volkswagen claims the electric Golf can achieve a 0-60 MPH sprint in just over 10 seconds, with a top speed of 87 mph. That is slower than the 1.8T or 2.0 TDI Golf, but still plenty quick for an EV or dedicated Hybrid. Like a lot of EVs, the Golf feels much quicker than it is thanks to all that instant torque. Step on the throttle hard and there is a noticeable kick as all 199 lb-ft of torque suddenly thrust the car forward. Power does taper off as the motor’s rpms build, but acceleration up to highway speeds is more than acceptable.

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