Canadian fans of all-electric cars were quick to jump on the 250 limited-edition units of the next-generation 2017 Volkswagen e-Golf made available in the country. VW’s new 100%-electric model made its official debut at the 2017 Montreal Auto Show this past January.
Remember that the pre-order process got underway online on the website of Volkswagen Canada, with the automaker requiring a $1,000 deposit on the $35,995 limited-edition car. Though all 250 units were quickly snapped up, the good news for eco-conscious consumers is that a second batch will be offered this coming fall for the 2018 model-year.
With its new 35.8 kWh battery (up from 24.2 kWh previously) fully charged, the Volkswagen e-Golf now has a range of 201 km. The electric motor can generate 134 hp and a near-instantaneous 214 lb-ft of torque.
The 7.2 kW on-board charger, offered as standard, allows for fully recharging the battery in about five hours when plugged in to a Level 2 home or public AC charging station. The battery can also be charged to 80% capacity in 30-45 minutes when using a Level 3 DC fast-charging station.
To meet the challenges faced by electric vehicles in Canada, particularly in wintertime, the 2017 Volkswagen e-Golf is equipped with a heated windshield, heated front seats and an auxiliary heat pump. In addition, the e-manager system allows the driver to pre-set a departure time and temperature to heat or cool the interior while the vehicle is connected to an electrical grid.
In terms of tech, the App-Connect system offers Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink connectivity. Optional add-ons include a digital cockpit, which features all instruments virtually displayed on the 12.3-inch colour screen, and the Discover Pro infotainment system, which includes a 9.2-inch screen with a glass-like design. From that screen occupants can control the menus via gesture-control technology.