Along with the world premieres of the new Golf R (all-wheel drive flagship) and the pioneering e-Golf (high-volume production car with zero tailpipe emissions), at the 65th International Motor Show in Frankfurt, Volkswagen is also presenting a concept car: the new Golf Sportsvan.

 The Golf Sportsvan will offer more passenger and cargo capacity (with rear bench seat that offers 180 mm longitudinal adjustment and a cargo capacity of over 1,500 liters) and highly advanced assistance systems, according to the automaker.

These systems include the Blind Spot Monitor incorporating an assistant for exiting parking spaces, which is being implemented in a Golf for the first time. While driving, the Blind Spot Monitor warns the driver of vehicles in the blind spot. When reversing out of a parking space, the system also recognizes approaching traffic behind the car that can be difficult for the driver to see; not only can it then warn the driver, but if a collision is imminent, the system automatically activates the emergency braking function.

The Sportsvan is now the third Golf body version to follow the technical layout of the modular transverse matrix (perfected package, new engines), and it shows its "DNA" links to sporty icons such as the Golf GTI, according to VW. Derived from the Golf GTI, for example, is the standard XDS+ system; technical speaking, this electronic differential lock is vehicle dynamic functionality that is integrated into the electronic stability control (ESC) system. XDS+ makes driving through bends sportier, faster and more precise. The Golf Sportsvan is the successor to the Golf Plus, and will appear as a compact minivan in the middle of next year.

At its launch next year, the Golf Sportsvan will be offered with a range of six new engines; they are all equipped with a stop-start system as standard and are up to 19 percent more fuel-efficient than the previous versions. All of the engines available at market launch conform to the Euro-6 emissions standard. The four turbocharged petrol direct-injection engines (TSI) produce 63 kW / 85 PS, 81 kW / 110 PS, 92 kW / 125 PS and 110 kW / 150 PS of power. The range of the turbodiesel direct-injection engines (TDI) covers two power levels: 81 kW / 110 PS and 110 kW / 150 PS. Except for the 63 kW TSI, all of the engines may be combined with an optional automatic dual clutch gearbox (DSG). The 1.6 TDI BlueMotion with 110 PS is representative of just how efficient the new engines of the Golf Sportsvan are: its estimated fuel consumption will be a low 3.7 l/100 km (equates to 95 g CO₂/km).