What's the news?
Volkswagen Ireland has today (May 16) opened the order books for the Golf SV. Prices for the new model, which replaces the Golf Plus and sits between the Golf and Touran in the manufacturer's line-up, start at €23,350.
Three trim lines are available - Trendline, Comfortline and Highline - and the entry level car includes air conditioning, a five-inch touchscreen stereo with aux-in and an SD card slot, plus an electronic parking brake with hill hold and a host of safety features including Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) as standard.
What is expected to be the most popular option, Comfortline, is available from €26,290 and adds a leather multifunction steering wheel, 15-inch alloy wheels, a larger 5.8-inch touchscreen system with Bluetooth connectivity, cruise control and front 'comfort' seats with manual height adjustment and lumbar support.
Range topping Highline cars start at €28,085 and include such niceties as 16-inch alloy wheels, Park Distance Control front and rear, chrome strips on the side windows, auto wipers and front fog lights including static cornering lamps. Inside there are upgraded 'Sports comfort' seats with lumbar support and Alcantara inserts, an auto-dimming rear view mirror and ambient lighting.
On the engine front there is a 1.2-litre TSI petrol unit with either 85- or 110hp, a 1.6-litre diesel with 90- or 110hp and the range topping 2.0-litre diesel with 150hp. There are five- and six-speed manual gearboxes depending on engine and a seven-speed DSG automatic option. The top-selling engine is expected to be the 110hp 1.6-litre TDI unit, which has emissions of 101g/km placing it in Band A3 making for annual tax of €190.
Anything else?
In case you are wondering what exactly a Golf SV is picture it as a more practical Golf. With a wheelbase 83mm longer than the regular hatchback (and 134mm longer than the old Golf Plus), a roofline 26mm higher and 81mm added to its girth it has more interior space than the Golf. This can be seen in the boot where space is rated at 500 litres and can increase to 590 litres by sliding the rear bench forwards. Should this not be enough space can be further boosted to 1,520 litres by folding the rear seats.