4Motion all wheel drive Mark 7 for Australia?

[Cuthbert]

I would be great if VW launched the 4Motion version of the Mark 7 here in Australia (ie Non-R version).

Volkswagen Golf gains 4Motion all-wheel drive [videos]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSkwYwgd3ZI

The business case for doing so is quite strong:

1. More people are buying 4-whelle drives (not just in SUVs) in Australia. It is one of the fastest growing markets.
2. They are inherently safer because they grip the roads better
3. As the weather becomes more extreme (slippery, wet roads, unexpected snowfalls etc), 4WD makes more sense
4. The new VW 4Motion system is much more efficient end economical than previous versions, and doesn't add too much weight to the car.
5. It could be a relatively cost effective option ($2,500) based on European prices. Which is considerably less than the price for the inbuilt satnav.
6. It would be consistent with VW Australia's commitment to expanding its model range here.

What do we think? Would you buy a 4Motion Golf 7?

[nightphotographer]

I don't think it's likely - they did a short run of 4Motion GT TDI MK5's in the UK as well as the R32 but they didn't do any non R 4motion MK6s (google brought one up in Norway, but I've never heard of a MK6 GT TDI 4motion hitting UK markets).

It'd be great if they did, but considering it's a small market in Europe, providing non perfomance models with 4Motion - I doubt they'd even consider providing it here.

[team_v]

I don't think it will ever happen.
A lot of the CUV's getting around now are offering a FWD version in order to get people interested.

The only ones after AWD will be people in the snow/dirt in which case, why not buy a Tiguan?

[Tigger]

I would be great if VW launched the 4Motion version of the Mark 7 here in Australia (ie Non-R version).

Volkswagen Golf gains 4Motion all-wheel drive [videos]

The business case for doing so is quite strong:

1. More people are buying 4-whelle drives (not just in SUVs) in Australia. It is one of the fastest growing markets.
2. They are inherently safer because they grip the roads better
3. As the weather becomes more extreme (slippery, wet roads, unexpected snowfalls etc), 4WD makes more sense
4. The new VW 4Motion system is much more efficient end economical than previous versions, and doesn't add too much weight to the car.
5. It could be a relatively cost effective option ($2,500) based on European prices. Which is considerably less than the price for the inbuilt satnav.
6. It would be consistent with VW Australia's commitment to expanding its model range here.

What do we think? Would you buy a 4Motion Golf 7?

it is called a tiguan...

[Diesel_vert]

I would be great if VW launched the 4Motion version of the Mark 7 here in Australia (ie Non-R version).

The business case for doing so is quite strong:

1. More people are buying 4-whelle drives (not just in SUVs) in Australia. It is one of the fastest growing markets.
2. They are inherently safer because they grip the roads better
3. As the weather becomes more extreme (slippery, wet roads, unexpected snowfalls etc), 4WD makes more sense
4. The new VW 4Motion system is much more efficient end economical than previous versions, and doesn't add too much weight to the car.
5. It could be a relatively cost effective option ($2,500) based on European prices. Which is considerably less than the price for the inbuilt satnav.
6. It would be consistent with VW Australia's commitment to expanding its model range here.

1. Consumers have been drawn towards the SUV because of practical reasons (increased cabin and boot space) or the image (they think) it represents, rather than the actual drivetrain itself. In any case, if the ride height isn't changed, it would have the same limits as a regular Golf in regards to where it could venture, unlike proper 4WD vehicles (or even faux-4WD vehicles).

2. Tyres provide grip and traction - the drivetrain merely distributes the power. A 4WD vehicle with no grip is as useful as a FWD or RWD vehicle with no grip. Of course, the handling characteristics would be different, but not necessarily better - this will entirely depend on how the engineers have tuned the system. For instance, a Golf 4Motion would be tuned differently than a Golf R.

3. See point 2. The most effective way of dealing with variable climate conditions is to fit better tyres.

4. But nevertheless, cost, weight and fuel penalties will always exist, which IMO is not justified on a humdrum hatchback, unless the engine is making lotsa power (e.g. Golf R).

5. For all the reasons outlined above, I personally don't see the value, even at $2.5k.

6. One still needs to evaluate whether it would be appropriate for the market, rather than just try to import every single variant that exists.

Would you buy a 4Motion Golf 7?

Not unless one lives in the snow belt (and even then, winter/snow tyres will easily get you out of trouble) or the engine is heavily tuned or a powerhouse.

[Ryan_R]

I don't see the point, it's designed for icy roads in Europe which we don't have here (unless you live on a mountain) and XDL is for enthusiasts driving quickly on country roads (so they'd probably be in the GTI or R, not a 1.6L diesel). I don't think it's an option many people would tick.

If it was an option for the GTI then that would be more interesting, and might pull a few people away from waiting for the R???

[GippsCC]

In fairness to the OP, I don't see anything wrong with 4motion being offered as an option, although I agree its probably unlikely.

Generally 4WD/AWD drivetrains into three basic groups: full-time 4WD, part-time 4WD, and all-wheel drive (AWD).

As the name suggests full-time 4WD operates at all times. Torque is supplied to all four wheels, with various options affecting the operation of the drivetrain. When on normal roads, front and rear axles are split by a differential, allowing different speeds to be applied - useful when cornering, for example. On rough roads and tracks, the 'diff lock' can be applied to lock up the centre differential and restricts any rotational difference between the front and rear axles, to gain maximum traction. 'Low range' can also be used in extreme offroad conditions and on steep inclines, to provide a torque multiplying effect similar to the lowest gearing on a mountain bike.

Part-time 4WD is the original 4WD system and the most basic. In normal conditions the vehicle is driven in two-wheel drive, usually powering only the rear wheels. 4WD mode can be selected either by a separate mechanical lever or by an electronic switching system. When 4WD is selected, torque is split evenly between the four wheels. Part time 4WD vehicles tend not to have differentials between the front and rear axles, limits the use of 4WD to offroad use because use of this feature on bitumen surfaces (where tyres have good traction) can cause excess stress and damage to the drivetrain (often called wind-up). Most vehicles of this type have the option of 'low range' for extreme off-road conditions.

All-Wheel Drive is in some ways similar to the full-time 4WD system in that it also sends torque to all four wheels constantly. These systems never have the option to operate in two-wheel drive, and unlike the 4WD systems, the differential between the front and rear axles cannot be locked. The differentials do, however, have ability to limit slippage between the axles if a low traction situation is encountered. Usually this ability is provided with a differential known as a viscous coupling although more recently a similar outcome has been achieved by using electronically-controlled hydraulic or electro-magnetic 'clutch' systems. AWD systems also lack the 'low range' feature which is common in most 4WDs.

The AWD system is less effective and more fragile than the 4WD system in a situation where high torque is required. Indeed, the viscous coupling units simply cannot satisfy high torque demands when the vehicle is offroad. AWD vehicles tend to be more 'car' like than obvious offroaders.

That said, limiting slippage between axles can and does improve road safety. Sure, it might only be useful once in a blue moon, but I don't think it's any less useful than any other safety fitting (I might never use airbags, doesn't mean I don't mind 'em).

[JustCruisn]

1.

2. Tyres provide grip and traction - the drivetrain merely distributes the power. A 4WD vehicle with no grip is as useful as a FWD or RWD vehicle with no grip. Of course, the handling characteristics would be different, but not necessarily better - this will entirely depend on how the engineers have tuned the system. For instance, a Golf 4Motion would be tuned differently than a Golf R.

3. See point 2. The most effective way of dealing with variable climate conditions is to fit better tyres.

X2

Awd alone does not equal better grip or safety.
A well tuned Fwd will perform better than a poorly tunes awd. Subaru forrester has been found to have less grip than some fwd competitors.

[phaeton]

Not likely, with VW building a better product than the only (mass) brand with an AWD (Subaru), I don't see the point.
As mentioned Tiguan fills this void nicely.

[Tweeked]

I saw a MK5 2tdi 4motion in NZ when I was there a few years ago..... makes sense to have choices like this in countries where there is a little snow.

[Diesel_vert]

BMW and Mercedes also had AWD passenger cars in LHD markets for as long as I can remember (badged as "xDrive" and "4MATIC" respectively these days) though I believe BMW have recently made some xDrive passenger cars available in RHD for the first time.

[Tornado_ALIVE]

Generally 4WD/AWD drivetrains into three basic groups: full-time 4WD, part-time 4WD, and all-wheel drive (AWD).

You can also split the 4wd group into soft roaders and off roaders. Soft roaders may be 4wd and were built for wet and greasy roads / formed tracks but were never really designed to venture too far off road. Then you have your off roaders / real 4wds. These vehicles have high and low range gears and are built for very rugged terrain. Compare an Amarok or a Touareg to a Tiguan.

[AdamD]

Manufacturers have been making AWD derivatives of their 2WD passenger cars for years (from the aforementioned BMWs and Mercedes, to Honda Accords, Mazda 3s, etc etc). There's just no way that these models would make financial sense for the local distributors to import, market and sell in Australia - so they don't. They rarely even get a look-in in the UK, which is a far colder climate than Australia. These models are typically developed for people in areas where there is frequent snow and ice (so, northern Europe and Russia, northern Japan, Canada etc).

[Tobes_WIR35]

It is beyond me why anyone would buy a 2WD SUV. They're basically buying an expensive hatchback or station wagon that handles like crap and is hard to park.

[GippsCC]

It is beyond me why anyone would buy a 2WD SUV. They're basically buying an expensive hatchback or station wagon that handles like crap and is hard to park.

Well said, couldn't agree more.