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Volkswagen Golf Plus (2005 - )

What's Good

Tall 5-seater Golf to fit between Golf V and Touran. 95mm higher than Golf V at 1,580mm. More interior space and more flexibility. rear seats can be shifted lengthways by 160 mm and folded via a new system, which means they are lowered automatically when folded down resulting in an almost level luggage space. Can also split 60/40, with middle seat doubling as fold-down drinks table. Double height boot floor allows more adaptable stowage with a maximum capacity of 505 litres. Near identical line-up of trims and engines to the Golf hatchback ranging from S through SE to Sport. No 3-door. Standard ESP, ABS, twin front, side and curtain airbags, and a CD player. On sale in UK from May 2005.

Four trim levels – S, SE, Sport and GT TDI/GT FSI. ESP (Electronic Stabilisation Programme); Climatic semi-automatic climate control; ABS; six airbags; and a CD/radio as standard on every model. The Golf Plus also has LED rear lights as standard,

60/40 split rear seats can be shifted lengthways by 160mm independently of each other. They can also be folded via a new system, which means that the base lowers as the backrest is folded down, resulting in an almost level luggage space. Middle seat doubles as a fold-down drinks table. Double height boot floor, standard from SE upwards, allows more adaptable stowage and a maximum capacity of 505 litres with the rear seats in place.


Golf Plus launch list prices:-

1.4S £12,895.00
1.6S FSI £14,785.00
1.6S FSI 6 speed auto £16,100.00
1.9S TDI £15,670.00
1.6SE FSI £15,585.00
1.6SE FSI 6 speed auto £16,900.00
1.9SE TDI £16,475.00
1.9SE TDI 6 speed auto DSG £17,935.00
1.6 Sport FSI £16,005.00
1.6 Sport FSI 6 speed auto £17,345.00
1.9 Sport TDI £16,710.00
1.9 Sport TDI 6 speed auto DSG £18,210.00
2.0 GT FSI £17,920.00
2.0 GT FSI 6 speed auto £19,245.00
2.0 GT TDI £18,250.00
2.0 GT TDI 6 speed auto DSG £19,600.00

Road test at www.honestjohn.co.uk/road_tests/index.htm?id=176

New supercharged/turbocharged 140PS1.4 TSI engine from summer 2006 offers 38.2mpg combines, 174g/km CO2 and costs £17,215.

Golf Plus Dune launched May 2007. Revised springs and dampers raise ride height by 20 mm to improve ground clearance. BBS 17-inch alloy wheels with 225/45 R17 tyres. Matt blistered wheel arches and tough, textured plastic front and rear. Deep air dam framed by a set of fog lights, rear bumper is intersected by contoured, silver panel. Silver roof rails and durable plastic rubbing strips running down the side of the vehicle. Ice Silver, Steel Grey metallic or Blue Graphite pearl effect paint. 1.9-litre TDI with 105 PS and 184 lbs ft of torque. DPF standard. 50.4mpg combined and 148g/km CO2. Top speed 121 mph. 0-60 11.8 seconds.
Unique interior trim, leather steering wheel, gear knob and handbrake. Climatic semi automatic air conditioning, automatic driving lights and windscreen wipers, electric front and rear windows, multifunction computer and eight-speaker CD stereo system. 6 airbags, ABS and Electronic Stabilisation Programme (ESP).
£18,495 (RRP on the road).

Volkswagen has replaced its troublesome 1.6-litre FSI petrol engine with a new 1.4 TSI fitted only with a turbocharger (like FIAT's) rather than both turbocharger and supercharger. Power is 122PS and torque 200 Nm (155 lbs ft) delivered from 1,500 to 3,500 rpm. Choice of 6-speed manual or new 7-speed DSG transmissions. Combined consumption of Golf 44.8 mpg for the new 1.4-litre TSI. C02 is down to to 149 g/km (139g/km with 7-spd DSG ). Production of the DSG starts at the beginning of 2008, while manual models available to order from late October 2007.

Golf Plus Luna 1.4-litre TSI 6 spd manual 5dr 157g/km £15,302
Golf Plus Luna 1.4-litre TSI 7 spd DSG 5dr 149g/km £16,607
Golf Plus SE 1.4-litre TSI 6 spd manual 5dr 157g/km £16,147
Golf Plus SE 1.4-litre TSI 7 spd DSG 5dr 149g/km £17,452

For cars with satnav, Trafficmaster subscription included as from Week 45 2007 build.


More at www.volkswagen.co.uk

More at www.volkswagen.co.uk

Last updated 21-9-2009

What's Bad

No 200bhp GTI, of course. Golf Plus Dune not four wheel drive like Altea freetrack.

What to Watch Out For

On 1.9 TDI 105s both a clutch release bearing fault and a hesitation on running fault with no cure available from VW at 10-10-06.

See Golf V and Touran entries.

Updated 21-9-2009: ESP warning light can indicate Fault Code "Boost Pressure Sensor G201". This is embedded inside Teves Mk 60 ABS systems and requires replacement of ABS control unit/pump. Seems to be age-related, occurring mainly in 3 - 5 year old cars. Does not necessarily lead to an MoT failure. If car has been VAG maintained, VAG will meet 100% of replacement cost. If not VAG will still help towards £1,500 cost of replacement.

Also minor problems with hestitation when pulling away and car very prone to stalling.

On 6-speed twin shaft manuals the gearchange from 1st to 2nd can become still. First stage dealer cure is to replace the transmission oil. If that fails, it needs a synchro ring replacing. So if your box stiffens up, make sure it is attended to before the warranty expires.

Check 2.0TDIs regularly for coolant loss. VW has become aware of a problem with the alloy used to make the cylinder head, causing the head to become porous allowing coolant to leak in to the engine. Means a new head at a cost of £1,700 plus labour at VAG franchise rates. By July 2009, cylinder head failures of 1.9 and 2.0 diesels were becoming increasingly common.

Recalls

05/10/2005 R/2005/091 VW TOURAN & GOLF AND GOLF + flywheel may fail WVG0001T04W044331 WVG0001T04W177262 01/10/2003 31/05/2005