VW announced today that a lower priced version of the fully electric hatchback will go on sale for $33,40, which shaves $2,000 off the sole SEL premium trim level currently on offer. What’s more, this number doesn’t include the additional U.S. federal tax credit that owners of electric cars can take advantage of, which can be up to $7,500.
The price chop doesn’t mean a sacrifice of performance, though. Both trims still get the same 24.2 kWh lithium-ion battery that powers an electric motor, delivering the equivalent of 115 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque.
The money-saving cuts come in the form of a few changes in the creature comforts originally on offer. On the outside,16-inch steel wheels come in place of the aluminum alloys of the SEL premium and halogen headlights replace the LED ones. Inside, the leatherette gives way to cloth seating surfaces, and a cabin-warming heat pump.
This component is an add-on module to the standard electric heating system that recovers heat from the car’s components, mixes it with the ambient air, and toasts things up through the Climatronic dual-zone climate control system. It also takes some of the load off of the electric heater, allowing for 30 precent more range.
Apart from those changes, the same things on the SEL premium come on the lower tier trim, like the direct current fast charging system (alongside the standard7.2kW charger), keyless entry, navigation, and a rearview camera. As far as efficiency goes, Volkswagen claims both versions of the e-Golf get an MPGe of 126 city, 105 highway, and 116 combined. Estimated driving range per charge is around 83 miles.
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