Burbbble

VW Debuts 2017 Golf Alltrack for “Active” People

Image courtesy of Volkswagen

Just look at it as a cheap A4 Allroad

Jeff Knoespel

Volkswagen debuted the U.S. production version of the 2017 Golf Alltrack on Monday.

What we have is a Golf Sportwagen with: 4MOTION all-wheel drive, body cladding, extra ground clearance, and an “Off-Road Mode” with hill descent control.

“We heard from dealers and customers that they wanted to see a Golf SportWagen with the all-terrain capability that comes from an all-wheel drive system,” said Joerg Sommer, vice president, product marketing and strategy of Volkswagen of America, Inc. “We are excited to introduce the Golf Alltrack to meet the active lifestyle needs of our customers."

Yeah yeah Joerg, I can pop my kayak on the roof rack, but can I have it with a diesel?

The new Alltrack sits on VW’s versatile MQB platform powered by a sadly not-diesel 1.8-liter, four-cylinder engine with 170 bhp and 199 lb-ft of torque. The “active” customers VW intends to market these to can have their choice of a 6-speed DSG transmission or a 6-speed manual available at a later date.

Be glad the Golf Alltrack exists, because it is the fighting chance wagons need in the never-ending onslaught of vague, pseudo-practical crossover UVs.

Or is it just an AWD distraction VW needs so it can hide in the woods on the eve of its diesel scandal deadline? Come to think of it, since you don’t care about emissions, Volkswagen, can you bring us back some air-cooled fun?

2017 Alltrack
Image courtesy of Volkswagen
awd Volkswagen Alltrack Golf