4Motion all wheel drive Mark 7 for Australia?

[phaeton]

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.

Each to their own (opinion), some people may not want/able to pay for AWD costs and just want the practibility of an SUV.
Last time I drove a Tiguan it was not crap but quite surprising the handling ths vehicle had over its opposition.
I'd expect the 118TSI version with FWD to be upto the challenge to.

[Tobes_WIR35]

Yeah, people say that, but I don't see what extra practicality you'd actually achieve by buying a 2WD SUV over a hatchback or wagon the same size. They're almost the same in every way except height and tyre size. Considering they spend most of their time at Westfield shopping centres and ferrying kids to school, the cumbersome handling would actually make them less practical?

I think it's a case of marketing people solving a problem that doesn't exist.

[Arnold]

The only real benefit of a FWD Tig over a Golf is the higher vantage point for seeing more easily through the rear window and 'screen of other SUVs ahead . . . and conning some parks rangers into believing you're not required to put on chains.

[Tobes_WIR35]

Actually that's a good point. Most people who buy 4WDs and SUVs say they love the visibility and it makes them feel safe. Having owned a couple of 4WDs myself, I can say this is true. It does make you "feel" safe. But it doesn't actually make you safe. I feel much safer now in the knowledge that if I need to take evasive action, my Golf will (and has) get me out of trouble, and it's not going to dive and roll over.

[team_v]

and it's not going to dive and roll over.

After pushing my car fairly hard , i can safely say that the likelihood of this happening is pretty much nil.
If it did happen, a golf in the same situation would liklely roll as well.

[Tobes_WIR35]

After pushing my car fairly hard , i can safely say that the likelihood of this happening is pretty much nil.
If it did happen, a golf in the same situation would liklely roll as well.

That's probably a fair statement, and having followed you around Lakeside I can attest to that. Due to physics the Tig would roll before a Golf, but probably not much, and if the situation was that bad I think any car would be in trouble.

Cheaper compact SUVs, Larger SUVs and 4WDs are another story. I saw a basic slalom test with a new Jeep Grand Cherokee and it nearly rolled just doing the slalom at like 40mph!

[team_v]

I think there is a lot of missinformation out there as well.
The Tiguan is actually a part of the Compact Utility Vehicle (CUV) segment which is essentially a smaller SUV.
Which means it is essentially a Golf with AWD and slightly raised suspension, still handles just as well although it does have a bit more body roll.


A Jeep Grand Cherokee on the other hand is a SUV.
The moose test they performed showed just how bad they are as the base for the vehicle isn't a small hatch back.

[Tobes_WIR35]

Yeah, Agreed. I really wasn't referring to Tiguans and equivalent sized vehicles. Mainly more the larger SUVs like the Captiva and similar, and proper 4WDs like Prado, Jeep etc.

And in terms of those types of cars, If you need to tow something heavy or you actually use it for going off road then that's fine but if not then I just don't see the point. I reckon most people buy 4WDs with grand plans of going off road, but never do. I was one of them until I realised that!

[Dutch77]

The moose test they performed showed just how bad they are as the base for the vehicle isn't a small hatch back.

Brings back memories of the first A class M-Benz rolling and causing all sorts of issues for the company before being rectified.

I do think a lot of people are buying for the ride height and space as discussed above and don't care for the AWD component.

[Cuthbert]

Here is an animated video about the Golf's new 4motion system.

VW Golf 7 4MOTION - Animation Technology - YouTube

Notwithstanding the issues raised about its viability in Australia, I for one, would certainly specify it as an option if available. It provides more grip, pulling power and flexibility.

I know I can get AWD in an SUV such a Tiguan, but these cars are too big for my needs.

But each to their own, of course.

[Tornado_ALIVE]

Another positive with an SUV's ride height is that it is easier to get in and out off if you have a bad back or are ageing. Also a good height for putting infants into a car.

Ground clearance also doesn't hurt when going over a speed bump or parking nose first into a gutter.

[idaho]

...Notwithstanding the issues raised about its viability in Australia, I for one, would certainly specify it as an option if available. It provides more grip, pulling power and flexibility.

I know I can get AWD in an SUV such a Tiguan, but these cars are too big for my needs.

But each to their own, of course.

It seems you can buy 4Motion (quattro in Audi speak) in an Audi A3, but only with 2L TSI and DSG. Is that an option for you?

[Cuthbert]

Idaho, yes, an A3 would certainly be an option but I really have my heart set on the Golf 7. I think it looks better than the new A3, and, according to a number of European reviewers it is a superior car despite being a bit cheaper (also better than BMW 1 series and the new Mercedes A hatchback).

My plan for now is to buy a high spec Golf 7 (I have ordered one from Barlow world) and consider upgrading to a GTI at a later date. The lack of AWD is certainly no deal breaker for me, I just thought it would be a nice option to have.

Overall, though, I am very excited about the new Golf 7 and believe it will be enormously successful. It may even become a modern classic.

[Diesel_vert]

According to Autocar, the Golf 4Motion won't be made in right hand drive, so even if they wanted to import it, I'm afraid management here would have its hands tied.

[Cuthbert]

That settles it then. If it isn't available in RHD then it will never happen here. What a shame.

Anyway, here is another video on the Golf's AWD - the Europeans will love it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeR4DcRjtDI