The five-door hatchback, called e-Golf, is an electric version of the seventh-generation VW Golf, which will go on sale in the U.S. next spring as a 2015 model. The all-electric version will go on sale in select U.S. states in the fourth quarter of next year, according to officials.
DETROIT, MI- Volkswagen will introduce its first all-electric production vehicle for the U.S. next week at the 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show.
The five-door hatchback, called e-Golf, is an electric version of the seventh-generation VW Golf, which will go on sale in the U.S. next spring as a 2015 model. The all-electric version will go on sale in select U.S. states in the fourth quarter of next year, according to officials.
"The e-Golf is part of a structured powertrain strategy that will lead to the timely introduction of new and alternative drive systems, and is a part of Volkswagen’s holistic approach to sustainability, Think Blue,” VW said in a release today detailing the vehicle.
VW, which has not announced what markets will initially get the vehicle, has stated that it aims to be the world leader in e-mobility among automakers by 2018.
Depending on driving style and charging behavior, VW says the average range for the e-Golf is between 70 and 90 miles.
The e-Golf is powered by a 115-horsepower electric motor that capable of 199 pound-feet of torque, allowing the e-Golf to reach 25 mph from rest in 4.2 seconds and to get to 60 miles per hour in approximately 10.4 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 87 mph.
2015 Volkswagen e-Golf (Courtesy VW)However, in “Eco” driving modes, the performance of the vehicle is limited to 94-horsepower and starting torque of 162 lb-ft. in “Eco” and 74-horsepower with starting torque of 129 lb-ft, in “Eco+.”
As for charging, VW will make DC fast-charging at up to 40 kW standard, allowing an 80-percent recharge in about 30 minutes. That’s compared to standard charging cable into a 110/120-volt electrical socket, which will take around 20 hours to charge the battery.
VW officials said pricing for the e-Golf will be announced closer to the launch of the vehicle. It will first be sold in Europe, followed by the U.S.
The e-Golf is expected to be one of 56 vehicle debuts, including 22 world debuts, during the 2013 LA Auto Show Press Days from Nov. 19-21. The LA Auto Show, which is considered the start of the “auto show season” for automakers, is open to the public from Nov. 22 – Dec. 1.
The LA Auto Show has historically been known for the debuts of "green" vehicles, such as all-electric, zero-emissions vehicles.
Follow all of MLive’s 2013 LA Auto Show coverage by clicking here.
Michael Wayland covers the automotive industry for MLive. Email him at MWayland@mlive.com & follow him on Twitter @MikeWayland or Google+.