"MylesD" (mylesd)
11/01/2016 at 14:17 • Filed to: None
0
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"MylesD" (mylesd)
11/01/2016 at 14:17 • Filed to: None | 0
| 12 |
Help me figure this out.
I was aimlessly poking around Car & Driver last night and came across
!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!
about AWD as an option on the VW Golf SportWagen for ‘17. I was surprised to see it’s only being offered on the S model and
not
the SE, or the more luxurious SEL model. Sure, I’m happy we can say that there’s a VW wagon with AWD and a stick, but there are a few things really bothering me.
I can’t help but wonder why AWD isn’t being offered on the upper level models. Admitedly, I didn’t take any time (
¯\_()_/¯
)to research this, but when was the last time that an AWD option was relegated to the bottom of the pack? It’s not like the SE and SEL are performance variants and there’s a reason to not offer AWD because their FWD has been
so
well developed (ie. M cars sticking with RWD instead of X drive...for now).
I grew up in the Mid-Atlantic/North East. What the hell does that have to do with anything? Well, I think I know a thing or two about the type of people who drive AWD cars for the occasional snow storm. I’m thinking of suburban parents, the outdoorsy type, and parents buying AWD for their teens because they think AWD = invincibility. To some extent, these people are still buying their cars as status symbols. Does the base-level with 15 inch wheels and cloth seats qualify as a status symbol? I don’t think so. Where’s my HID’s, in-dash nav, driver assistants, leatherette, panoramic moon roof? Where are the nicer & bigger alloys?
Come on, I’m not wrong...right?! Here’s the S:
2017 VW Golf SportWagen S
Here’s the SEL:
2017 VW Golf SportWagen SEL
Okay, so...you’re probably thinking “Well, there’s always the new Alltrack.” Yeah, I think you’re right...but, then what’s the point here? The Alltrack is going to attract the outdoorsy type, those more strongly considering an Outback
and
it is offering it’s AWD in upper level trims. Those upper level trims are going to be carrying a lot fo the features buyers wants. Oh, and how could I forget? The Alltrack offers a stick in a trim other than the base.
So...I ask you this Volkswagen: Why can’t you let me have the option of buying an SEL with all of the options I love on my current car (2012 Autobahn GTI)
and
AWD? Why can’t I have a manual on my SEL? Why are you going to make the AWD Sportwagen compete with your own car - the Alltrack? Lastly, why can’t it look like your freaking concept? I’d drive the damn thing...and I’d mostly stop asking for the Golf R wagon!
Out, but with a W - has found the answer
> MylesD
11/01/2016 at 14:22 |
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Sounds like you’ve solved it yourself?
Cheap AWD —> S, status symbol —> Alltrack, without competition between the two lines.
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MylesD
> Out, but with a W - has found the answer
11/01/2016 at 14:30 |
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True. I should have added in there...I just don’t think that the take rate on the AWD option for the S is going to be that high. S = budget conscious and AWD is a pricey option. I feel like they’ll just take it away and we’ll be back to where we started.
Textured Soy Protein
> MylesD
11/01/2016 at 14:46 |
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I agree with you. My wife drives a loaded Impreza hatchback, which is pretty rare, because most people would rather have their fancy options in a Crosstrek. But neither of us was interested in the extra body cladding or ride height, and we wanted stuff like leather and a sunroof. Hell, you can’t even get a regular Legacy wagon any more, it’s the Outback or nothing.
So VW does this because someone comes in and says they want awd, probably because of the winter weather capability. For the base awd, it’s like a full-on base model without any of the SUV-ish stuff, and the dealers can upsell to the Alltrack because they say “you get your Apple CarPlay and your sunroof, and it’s better in winter cuz it’s higher and truckier.”
Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
> MylesD
11/01/2016 at 14:48 |
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http://www.whitefishfordvw.com/new-Whitefish-2017-Volkswagen-Golf+Alltrack-4DR-3VWH17AU6HM507565
Here is a non-S trim level.
UnderSTeerEnthusiast - Triumph Fanboy
> MylesD
11/01/2016 at 14:49 |
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Your minimal research is right. It’s only available on the S. Wish it was on higher but oh well.
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MylesD
> Textured Soy Protein
11/01/2016 at 14:52 |
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Soon enough the Atlas (VW - not you!) comes and they end up buying the FWD model anyway. Le sigh.
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MylesD
> Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
11/01/2016 at 14:54 |
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Yes, but it’s the Alltrack - not the GSW!
Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
> MylesD
11/01/2016 at 14:57 |
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Using the online configurator, at least with the S; you can’t get AWD and a stick. Bummer.
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MylesD
> Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
11/01/2016 at 14:59 |
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Maybe it’s not updated for ‘17? Car & Driver say MT is available early ‘17.
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2017-volkswagen-golf-sportwagen-4motion-instrumented-test-review
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Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
> MylesD
11/01/2016 at 15:22 |
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I wonder... The review you linked to states that the AWD models should be equipped with eiter a DSG or manual but the vw configurator shows just the standard 6 speed auto available. Getting the DSG on the wagon at ~25k would interest me in itself, the 4 motion would just be a little bonus.
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Out, but with a W - has found the answer
> MylesD
11/01/2016 at 15:57 |
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You’re probably right about the take rate. It might help to get people in the showroom and upsell the Alltrack? AWD had to be homologated for the platform either way, so they might as well try it for a (couple of) year(s).
Saracen
> MylesD
11/01/2016 at 16:41 |
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They want to push people into the Alltrack SE/SEL if they want more equipment.