2017 Volkswagen e-Golf Preview

CARS.COM

Competes with: Chevrolet Bolt EV, Nissan Leaf, Hyundai Ioniq, Fiat 500e

Looks like: The new, more squinty 2017 Golf

Drivetrain: 134-horsepower electric motor, 35.8-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack; front-wheel drive

Hits dealerships: Spring 2017

More 2016 L.A. Auto Show Coverage

The entire Volkswagen Golf lineup is getting a refresh for the 2017 model year, and latest version made its debut at the 2016 Los Angeles Auto Show. The electric e-Golf features a higher-capacity battery pack; a bigger, more powerful electric motor; and a new digital interior that will spread across the Golf range.

Exterior

The new e-Golf looks like the rest of the Golf range — updated LED headlights and taillights give the Golf a squinty look, like it’s thinking really hard about running down that Hyundai Elantra in front of it. The new e-Golf gets LED running lights in the lower bumper, just like the current e-Golf, as well as specific smooth-sided turbine-style wheels with low-rolling resistance tires for better aerodynamic efficiency. Just like the current e-Golf, the new one also wears a blue stripe in its grille, a subtle visual cue to separate it from other Golf models.

Interior

The new 2017 model brings in the new Digital Cockpit, an option that replaces all of the gauges (including the e-Golf specific power meter) with a 12.3-inch color LCD screen. Similar to Audi’s Virtual Cockpit, the VW version is reconfigurable and customizable. The center stack features a new multimedia option as well; the huge 9.2-inch Discover Pro system allows for a reconfigurable home screen and in the future will accommodate VW’s gesture control system. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will be available via the VW Car-Net App Connect function. All Golf models get a restyled interior with updated materials and seat trim, including the new e-Golf.

Under the Hood

Along with a revamped look comes improved capability, with the e-Golf getting both a bigger battery pack and a more powerful electric motor. The lithium-ion battery pack gets a 50 percent capacity jump from 24.2 kilowatt hours to 35.8, which is enough to boost the expected total range to 124 miles on a single charge.

Recharging the e-Golf should happen quicker as well, with a new 7.2-kilowatt on-board charger dropping total charging time to just six hours on a 240-volt unit. A DC fast-charging option is available, allowing the car to be brought to 80 percent charge in just an hour if you can find a DC fast-charging station.

Performance is improved as well, with a new electric motor producing 134 horsepower, up 19 hp from the last-generation e-Golf. This has dropped the zero-to-60-mph time by a full second, according to VW; it’s now a slightly less pokey 9.6 seconds. Top speed is 93 mph.

Safety

The new e-Golf will offer an improved forward collision warning system with pedestrian monitoring and autonomous emergency braking. It will warn the driver of an impending collision and can automatically brake the car to avoid or mitigate a collision. The optional Driver Assistance Package will be available on the SEL Premium trim; it includes the Digital Cockpit, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with autonomous braking, blind spot monitor, lane keep assist, parking assist and more.

Look for the new 2017 e-Golf in U.S. dealerships in the spring of 2017.