Britain faces a 20mph...
Britain faces a 20mph city centre speed limit blitz if the recommendations of a new report are adopted - and one council is already planning to use hi-tech cameras, instead of speed humps, to enforce the restrictions.According to research carried out by the Stockholm Environment Institute for the Department of Transport (DfT), a 20mph urban limit and tougher sen-tencing for dangerous drivers are the best ways to reduce road deaths.
These are the first...
These are the first official pictures of the Golf Plus, and show how the firm has subtly altered the MkV hatch to find new customers. Slotting between the conventional five-door and the Touran people carrier, it"s effectively a replacement for the Golf estate. That was a capable car, but not a strong seller, and bosses say the Plus is aimed at those who want extra practicality without opting for a load-lugger or an MPV.
Thanks to a higher roofline, the Plus offers more passenger headroom without distorting the familiar Golf silhouette. This also means greater luggage capacity, with underfloor storage at the rear. A flexible split-fold rear seating system boosts cabin practicality, the dash controls have been rearranged to give extra room in the footwells and there are more cubbies and storage compartments.
New tail-lights and a revised rear bumper distinguish the Plus from the Golf, and have the added benefit of creating a lower boot lip to aid loading. At the front, larger headlights and a deeper spoiler give the car an individual face. Elsewhere, the Plus boasts familiar Golf styling, with chunky rear pillars and shallow windows providing a solid look.
Under the skin, the latest engine and gearbox options are carried over, too. Entry-level cars will come with a choice of 115bhp 1.6-litre FSI petrol or 120bhp 1.9 TDI diesel units. Further up the range, 2.0-litre petrols and diesels will provide enough power for handling heavy loads.
Conventional front-wheel-drive transmission will be the only option on base models, although other versions will be offered with VW"s 4Motion system. That adjusts the power delivery between the front and rear wheels for maximum traction. As well as conventional five and six-speed manual gearboxes, the Plus will be available with the DSG sequential system for smooth changes.
On the safety side, the Plus is equipped with a full compliment of protection systems. Active front headrests and six airbags should ensure a high Euro NCAP crash test score, while ABS and ESP, plus an optional tyre pressure monitor, provide further peace of mind.
The Golf Plus debuts at the Bologna Motor Show this week, and sales will start early next year, with prices slightly higher than the equivalent hatch. The base car will cost from around í‚á£13,000.