Cars like the Nissan Leaf and the upcoming BMW i3 are built from scratch, often boasting lighter and stronger materials that will boost their car's credibility.
Volkswagen, on the other hand, kept things simple by swopping the petrol or diesel engine with an electric drivetrain. While this may sound like a halfway house kind of electric car, it's quite the contrary.
Thanks to Volkswagen Group's strategy for shared modular construction of its cars, the MQB (Modularer Querbaukasten - German for Modular Transverse Matrix) platform allows the German marque to equip a high-volume model like the Golf with any one of several drive systems.
In fact, with the e-Golf and GTE (electric version of the GTI) in its lineup, Volkswagen is now the world's first car manufacturer to offer the full range of all relevant modern drive systems in one model.
Exterior
Although essentially taking the skin of the seventh generation Golf, the electric car has obvious differences to separate itself from the regular model.
Volkswagen, on the other hand, kept things simple by swopping the petrol or diesel engine with an electric drivetrain. While this may sound like a halfway house kind of electric car, it's quite the contrary.
Thanks to Volkswagen Group's strategy for shared modular construction of its cars, the MQB (Modularer Querbaukasten - German for Modular Transverse Matrix) platform allows the German marque to equip a high-volume model like the Golf with any one of several drive systems.
In fact, with the e-Golf and GTE (electric version of the GTI) in its lineup, Volkswagen is now the world's first car manufacturer to offer the full range of all relevant modern drive systems in one model.
Exterior
Although essentially taking the skin of the seventh generation Golf, the electric car has obvious differences to separate itself from the regular model.
Apart from the subtle e-Golf badges on the car and missing exhaust pipes, the blue stripe running across the closed-off radiator grille (echoing the GTI's red stripe) and the pair of C-shaped LED lights on the front bumper are giveaways.
A closer look at our test car also revealed a number of aerodynamic refinements, such as 16-inch wheels that help it to slip through the air with greater efficiency than its more conventional siblings.
Interior
As with the exterior, the interior of the e-Golf resembles the standard Golf's in more ways than one. The only obvious difference is the instrument panel, where the usual tachometer has been altered to suit the drivetrain of the car.
On-board functions such as the range monitor, the energy flow indicator and the e-manager have also been added and can be viewed from the 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen taking centre stage.
Accommodation wise, there are no compromises. The e-Golf has more than sufficient head and legroom for all five occupants on board. But due to the 24.2kWh lithium-ion battery located low beneath the car floor, the only thing it loses out to the regular Golf is the boot space of 343 litres, which is some 40 litres smaller.
As with the exterior, the interior of the e-Golf resembles the standard Golf's in more ways than one. The only obvious difference is the instrument panel, where the usual tachometer has been altered to suit the drivetrain of the car.
On-board functions such as the range monitor, the energy flow indicator and the e-manager have also been added and can be viewed from the 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen taking centre stage.
Accommodation wise, there are no compromises. The e-Golf has more than sufficient head and legroom for all five occupants on board. But due to the 24.2kWh lithium-ion battery located low beneath the car floor, the only thing it loses out to the regular Golf is the boot space of 343 litres, which is some 40 litres smaller.
According to the German automaker, this said battery requires 13 hours of charging time via a 2.3kW household socket. This can be significantly shortened to eight hours via the wallbox charger supplied by Volkswagen.
There are also fast charging stations in Europe, dubbed the Combined Charging System (CSS), which will charge the e-Golf's battery to about 80 percent in just 30 minutes.
There are also fast charging stations in Europe, dubbed the Combined Charging System (CSS), which will charge the e-Golf's battery to about 80 percent in just 30 minutes.
Drivetrain
The e-Golf starts with a simple crank of a key, at which the car springs to life with a 'space age' tune to indicate that the electric motor is hot and ready.
Where the main differences lie are the gear selector and the lack of engine noise on the go. As a matter of fact, there's barely any of the mechanical whines often associated with electric cars even when moving off.
For starters, while the gear selector looks and feels the same as the conventional Golf, you can toggle between four regenerative braking settings - D1, D2, D3 and B - via the lever.
Similar to the Audi A1 e-tron, these settings alter the strength of braking as you back off the throttle. Naturally, the rate of deceleration is at its most rapid when you slide the lever in the B setting.
There are also different driving modes - Normal, Eco and Eco plus - which can be engaged via the touchscreen monitor or the Driving Profile Selection button located next to the gear lever.
The e-Golf starts with a simple crank of a key, at which the car springs to life with a 'space age' tune to indicate that the electric motor is hot and ready.
Where the main differences lie are the gear selector and the lack of engine noise on the go. As a matter of fact, there's barely any of the mechanical whines often associated with electric cars even when moving off.
For starters, while the gear selector looks and feels the same as the conventional Golf, you can toggle between four regenerative braking settings - D1, D2, D3 and B - via the lever.
Similar to the Audi A1 e-tron, these settings alter the strength of braking as you back off the throttle. Naturally, the rate of deceleration is at its most rapid when you slide the lever in the B setting.
There are also different driving modes - Normal, Eco and Eco plus - which can be engaged via the touchscreen monitor or the Driving Profile Selection button located next to the gear lever.
Although these different modes progressively reduce the amount of power produced by the electric motor, it is less apparent between the Normal and Eco mode and most noticeable on Eco Plus.
Regardless, there is always sufficient power and torque on tap as well as nimbleness that give the e-Golf a likeable and lively character in an urban driving environment.
Around town, the e-Golf soaks up road undulations nicely and confidently, even though it does feel harsher than the conventional Golf due to the 318kg heavy battery.
Conclusion
With an official claimed driving range of 190km, the Volkswagen e-Golf isn't about blistering performance. It's about alternative city mobility.
The fact that the electric hatchback hasn't, one bit, compromised on everyday practicality and ease of use makes it a true blue Volkswagen. Looks like standing out from the crowd doesn't require swanky styling.
Regardless, there is always sufficient power and torque on tap as well as nimbleness that give the e-Golf a likeable and lively character in an urban driving environment.
Around town, the e-Golf soaks up road undulations nicely and confidently, even though it does feel harsher than the conventional Golf due to the 318kg heavy battery.
Conclusion
With an official claimed driving range of 190km, the Volkswagen e-Golf isn't about blistering performance. It's about alternative city mobility.
The fact that the electric hatchback hasn't, one bit, compromised on everyday practicality and ease of use makes it a true blue Volkswagen. Looks like standing out from the crowd doesn't require swanky styling.
