Take a close look at the picture above. Although it might look like a new Jetta wagon, it's actually the New Golf Estate for Europe. Over there, they sell the load-lugging Variant as a Golf rather than a Jetta. Over here in the States, it is likely to eventually appear as the Jetta Wagon when the new Mk.VI models start showing up. For now, the Europeans get an updated hauler both inside and out that goes on sale in Germany this Friday at a starting price of €18,500 (about $25,700 USD).

That base price includes ESP, six airbags, daytime running lights, roof rails, power windows, power and heated outside mirrors, split-folding rear bench seat, remote central locking, and climate control. There will be three trim levels offered in mainland Europe: Trendline, Comfortline and Highline, the latter of which replaces Sportline. The six engine options are all Euro-5 emissions compliant, and include 122 & 160 PS TSI direct-injected gas engines (120 and 158 horsepower, respectively), 105 & 140 PS TDI common rail turbo-diesels (104 hp/138 hp), and two Multipoint engines delivering 80 PS or 102 PS (79 hp or 101 hp). All but the last two powerplants will be available paired with the DSG dual-clutch transmission.

The most obvious change on the outside of the new model is the institution of VW's fresh corporate face. The large, chrome, somewhat vertical front graphic has been replaced by a more horizontal grille with less bling. The tail receives a similarly simplified freshening.

Inside, the New Golf Estate gets the same high-quality interior and new gauges and switchgear of the regular Mk. VI Golf. Underhood, the entirely new 105 PS 1.6-liter four cylinder TDI promises to be quiet and clean, with low emissions (119 g/km CO2) and "an extremely low average fuel consumption," of 4.5 liters per hundred kilometers (that's about 52 mpg U.S.). Even the hottest 160 PS TSI returns 100 km for just 6.4 liters of petrol (37 mpg), or 6.1 with the DSG (39 mpg). There's a full press release after the jump and a gallery available by clicking any image.



[Source: Volkswagen]