? "It would take about 209 hours to charge the car fully from a standard 120v outlet" ?
http://www.freep.com/story/money/cars/mark-phelan/2015/06/04/vw-volkswagen-golf-electric-review-ev-egolf/28322657/ Review: Electric 2015 Volkswagen e-Golf By Mark Phelan June 4, 2015 [images / Volkswagen http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/6a305daf7133e85147b5e1526d2781181929d3d7/c=0-47-798-647&r=x513&c=680x510/local/-/media/2015/05/30/DetroitFreePress/DetroitFreePress/635686115166736051-2015-vw-e-golf-01.jpg 2015 Volkswagen e-Golf http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/452aacb0b068ea9882fe1daadd25d8418978db1c/c=47-0-757-534&r=x513&c=680x510/local/-/media/2015/05/30/DetroitFreePress/DetroitFreePress/635686115166892054-2015-vw-e-golf-02.jpg http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/d7bf4f0ebc6381a002910ffd411f4b8c7a89bda5/c=65-0-774-533&r=x513&c=680x510/local/-/media/2015/05/30/DetroitFreePress/DetroitFreePress/635686115167516066-2015-vw-e-golf-04.jpg http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/c75efb58c1249076bea1bc6481805f586d710430/c=46-0-755-533&r=x513&c=680x510/local/-/media/2015/05/30/DetroitFreePress/DetroitFreePress/635686115167516066-2015-vw-e-golf-06.jpg http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/c75efb58c1249076bea1bc6481805f586d710430/c=46-0-755-533&r=x513&c=680x510/local/-/media/2015/05/30/DetroitFreePress/DetroitFreePress/635686115168608087-2015-vw-e-golf-07.jpg http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/c75efb58c1249076bea1bc6481805f586d710430/c=46-0-755-533&r=x513&c=680x510/local/-/media/2015/05/30/DetroitFreePress/DetroitFreePress/635686115168608087-2015-vw-e-golf-08.jpg http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/a1c118c067a4537d22cc21fe97ed16c1b36a8774/c=2-0-711-533&r=x513&c=680x510/local/-/media/2015/05/30/DetroitFreePress/DetroitFreePress/635686115168764090-2015-vw-e-golf-09.jpg http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/3b7b6f35dc8072a2a3bc8a24b1a07c3d0ff2b31b/c=3-0-797-597&r=x513&c=680x510/local/-/media/2015/05/30/DetroitFreePress/DetroitFreePress/635686115168608087-2015-vw-e-golf-11.jpg http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/c75efb58c1249076bea1bc6481805f586d710430/c=46-0-755-533&r=x513&c=680x510/local/-/media/2015/05/30/DetroitFreePress/DetroitFreePress/635686115176252234-2015-vw-e-golf-12.jpg ] Story Highlights EPA: 83-mile range on a charge Prices start at $33,450 Poor audio for hands free phone calls The … 2015 Volkswagen e-Golf is a stealth electric car, an alternate-energy wolf in the sheep's clothing of an unassuming compact hatchback. Despite boasting near-silent operation, a useful range of 83 miles on a charge, the e-Golf rolls alon virtually unnoticed thanks to exterior styling that does little to telegraph its advanced powertrain. The e-Golf competes with other compact and smaller electric cars like the BMW i3, Mitsubishi i-MiEV and Nissan Leaf, and electric versions of the Chevrolet Spark Fiat 500, Ford Focus, Kia Soul EV and Mercedes B-class. The Honda Fit EV would be a competitor, but Honda has not introduced an electric version of the new Fit that went on sale last year. Extended-range [pih] cars like the BMW [i3-rex] extended, Cadillac ELR and Chevrolet Volt don't compete directly with those cars because their on-board generators give them much longer ranges. In the auto industry, cars like the e-Golf, which have big batteries but lack the ability to make more electricity, are often called BEVs, for battery-electric vehicles. Unlike the spacey looking i3, most BEVs look a lot like the conventional car they're based on. The e-Golf makes very successful use of VW's new compact car architecture, offering ride, handling and accommodations that are nearly indistinguishable from the conventional Golf. Prices for the e-Golf start at $33,450. The base model is quite well equipped, coming with navigation, Bluetooth audio and phone compatibility, voice recognition, a backup camera and heated front seats. I tested an SEL Premium model that added features including cruise control, LED headlights, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, 16-inch wheels and faux leather upholstery. It stickered at $35,445. All prices exclude destination charges. The e-Golf's price is at the high end among its most direct competitors, cars like the Focus, Leaf and Soul. EVs like the Spark, 500 and i-MiEV are so much smaller than the Golf that they're competitors only in the sense that they all run on battery power. Like most BEVs, the e-Golf has an electric motor and a single-speed transmission. The motor generates 115 hp and 199 pound-feet of torque. The torque is available from a standstill, delivering the smooth, confident acceleration that's a hallmark of electric vehicles. The EPA rated the e-Golf's range on a charge at 83 miles. That's roughly in the middle of its class, beating the Focus, trailing the Leaf and Soul and effectively tying most of the others. It takes about four hours to fully charge the e-Golf with a 240v outlet. It would take about 209 hours to charge the car fully from a standard 120v outlet, but anybody who's considering an electric car should also plan on having a 240v charger installed. Driving the e-Golf feels a lot like driving a conventional car. The controls are all the same. The electric motor's power is sufficient for everyday driving. The car's top speed is electronically limited to 87 m.p.h. in its default normal operating mode. The driver can select Eco or Eco+ modes to increase the car's range somewhat. The Golf's steering is responsive. The car's comfortable ride and good handling are consistent with conventionally powered Golfs, even though the 701-pound battery means those cars are 368 pounds lighter. The e-Golf's interior is roomy, practical and comfortable. Attractive, padded materials cover most surfaces, with the exception of some subtle pieces of trim. The seats are covered in VW's V-Tex fake leather, which looks and feels fine. The controls are simple and easy to use, with a combination of conventional dials and buttons, voice recognition and a touch screen. It all works well, although the spoken commands for some tasks — setting a destination for the nav, for instance — require more steps than the best competitors. The sound quality of hands-free phone calls was consistently poor. Everyone I called complained about it. Road and wind noise were very noticeable. Like other Golfs, the car does not have a USB port. The passenger compartment is only slightly smaller than the base Golf, and the luggage compartment is slightly larger, according to EPA figures. Both are very accommodating. The seats are comfortable, and the Golf's practical exterior design — high roof and plenty of glass — provides good visibility. Sharing many of the virtues that make the base Golf one of the world's best-selling cars, the e-Golf is a worthwhile addition to the growing fleet of electric vehicles. Contact Mark Phelan: [email protected] or 313-222-6731. Follow him on Twitter @mark_phelan. Behind the Wheel 2015 Volkswagen e-Golf SEL Premium Electric front-drive, five-passenger compact hatchback Price as tested: $35,445 (excluding destination charge) Rating: [(3 Out of four stars)] Reasons to buy: Electric power; passenger room; cargo space Shortcomings: Electric range; No USB port; poor audio quality to hands-free phone calls Competitive EPA fuel economy ratings (Battery-electric models; m.p.g.e. — miles per gallon equivalent, the EPA's calculation of how an electric car's energy consumption equates to an internal combustion engine) ratings) VW e-Golf SEL Premium: 83-mile range. 126 m.p.g.e. city/105 highway/116 combined BMW i3: 137/111/124 Chevrolet Spark: 128/109/119 Fiat 500e: 122/108/116 Ford Focus electric: 110/99/105 Kia Soul EV+: 120/92/105 Mercedes-Benz B-class E-Cell: 85/82/84 Mitsubishi i-MiEV: 126/99/112 Nissan Leaf SL: 126/101/114 Source: www.fueleconomy.gov Comparative base prices (excluding destination charges) (Battery-electric models) VW e-Golf SEL Premium: $35,445 BMW i3: $42,400 Chevrolet Spark: $25,560 Fiat 500e: $31,800 Ford Focus electric: $29,170 Kia Soul EV+: $35,700 Mercedes-Benz B-class E-Cell: $41,450 Mitsubishi i-MiEV: $22,995 Nissan Leaf SL: $35,120 Source: Autotrader.com Specifications as tested Power: 115 hp; 199 lb-ft of torque Transmission: Single-speed automatic Wheelbase: 103.6 inches Length: 168.1 inches Width: 70.8 inches Height: 57.1 inches Curb weight: 3,391 lbs. Where assembled: Wolfsburg, Germany Key features on vehicle tested Standard equipment: Antilock brakes; stability control; rear vision camera; rear parking assist; curtain air bags; front seat side impact air bags; intelligent crash response system; 16-inch alloy wheels; LED headlights; 5.8-in touch screen; navigation; AM/FM/CD; eight-speaker system; Bluetooth phone and audio compatible; iPod adapter; SiriusXM satellite radio trial subscription; dual zone automatic climate control; power front seat back adjustment; 60/40 split folding rear seat; leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel and shifter; push button start; rain-sensing wipers; heated washer nozzles; power windows, locks and mirrors; heated front seats; LED daytime running lights; rear wiper. Options: None. 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