Volkswagen Shows off the SportWagen Alltrack in New York

2017 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen Alltrack (Credit: © Volkswagen)

It looks like the Subaru Outback has gained a new competitor in the segment that it has dominated for what seems like an eternity. That’s right, Volkswagen will release an jacked-up, all-wheel-drive version of its Golf SportWagen that it has dubbed the Alltrack. The details are still a little slim, but the German automaker previewed the lifted wagon at the 2015 New York Auto Show.

The new Golf SportWagen Alltrack will feature VW’s signature 4MOTION all-wheel-drive system, wheel arch moldings and flared side sills to help protect the body from projectiles, bumpers that are more rugged, a more refined cabin, and about an extra inch of ground clearance. The All-wheel drive and body cladding is likely enough to sell a ton of these new wagons, but the other bits are nice too.

2017 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen Alltrack (Credit: © Volkswagen)

The rest of the details are very slim, but VW does note that this lifted wagon will have the hauling capabilities of an SUV while maintaining the fuel economy of a small wagon.

Which engine will power this creation remains unknown, but whittling down the options isn’t too hard. The most likely culprit under the hood will be the same 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that the standard Golf SportWagen uses. This engine puts down 170 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The images VW released show that the optional engine will be the 2.0-liter turbo-diesel four-cylinder that produces 150 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. There is a chance that this wagon could also get the 210-horsepower 2.0-liter from the Golf GTI, but that is highly unlikely.

The Golf SportWagen Alltrack hits VW dealers in the U.S. in 2016 as a 2017 model year vehicle. More details will roll out as we approach its official release date.