Volkswagen BORA RANGE
Volkswagen's Compact Golf-Based Saloon, The Bora, Has Dreams Of Taking On The German Executive Establishment. Jonathan Crouch Finds Out Why...
If you're in the market for a quality compact sports saloon, youre probably thinking
BMW,
Audi or
Alfa Romeo. Which is fine if youve a budget in the region of £20,000. If not, then you might have to set your sights a little lower. Before you do, however, check out Volkswagens current Bora, a small saloon with sporting aspirations.
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Yes, its pretty much a four-door version of the mkIV Golf hatchback but you wont catch anyone at
Volkswagen calling it that. Wolfsburg is keen that you and I should perceive the Bora to be a model in its own right, something its predecessor, the practical and sturdy but unloved Vento saloon, never was. So it is that Volkswagens compact family four-door shares almost nothing with the family hatchback that sired it; the boldly styled front end, flared wheel arches and a lopped-off, chunky rear all make an aggressive fashion statement that has much more street cred than any Golf. Certainly, most will agree that the resulting profile is sharp enough in up-market forms at least to make the car a real quality alternative to lower order
BMW 3 Series saloons,
Audi A4s and Alfa156s.
All of these rivals are much more expensive of course. Entry-level 1.6-litre Bora models feature a 16v 105bhp engine and start at £13,750, rising to £18,845 for the punchy 150bhp 1.9-litre TDI PD diesel.
Basic saloon versions of Audis A4 in contrast, are at least £18,500 with BMW 3 Series saloons even more.
"Think of it as a Golf with an added extra and risk Volkswagen excommunication and you realise what a sound purchase the Bora is"
Nor is the Bora much smaller than these two rivals. As weve suggested, it sits on the same platform as the mkIV Golf, but there are some big differences between the pair. A nine-inch advantage in length over the hatchback gives it one obvious advantage - load space. Luggage capacity is an impressive 16cu ft - almost 50 percent more than a Golf.
With the back seats folded, this rises to a cavernous 28cu ft - enough for three or four sets of golf clubs or anything else you may need to carry around. Looks and loadspace apart, however, this saloon has a lot in common with its five-door brother. The pair share the same fascia, equipment levels and engines of which there are seven different options: a 1.6-litre entry-level 105bhp petrol unit, 100, 130 and 150bhp 1.9-litre turbo diesels, a 2.0-litre 115bhp petrol plus 150 and 180bhp 1.
8-litre turbocharged petrol units. The more powerful models are available with a five-speed tiptronic gearbox and all now get the ESP electronic stability programme. All versions also get Volkswagen's 12-year anti-corrosion warranty and comprehensive 12-month overall cover and trim levels are much as youd find on the companys other mainstream models which means a range comprising S, SE, Highline and Sport. Standard features on all trim levels include air conditioning, anti-lock brakes, power assisted steering, twin airbags plus front
seat side airbags, an alarm, a trip computer, electric windows and door mirrors and remote central locking. The Highline wears exclusive sixteen-inch Montreal II alloy wheels and the interior features full leather upholstery, heated front sports seats and theres the added benefit of parking sensors to keep that paintwork looking reassuringly free of knocks and scrapes. Tot the value of these extras up on Volkswagens options list and youll find they come to more than £2,000 but the premium for a Highline over an SE variant is a trifling £150.
The SE models now have a multi-function steering wheel and cruise control, while Sport variants and electronic climate control. If thats not enough, optional extras include a satellite navigation system and electrically adjustable seats with memory facility. In a bid to compete against more upmarket German rivals, Volkswagen has splattered the cabins of higher spec models like the V5 with wooden trim and optional leather. While the soft hide compliments the nicely sculpted sports seats in this well appointed version; some customers may find the shiny, fake wood less appealing.
You pays your money This apart, its hard to imagine anyone finding much else to criticise about the interior. A wide screen area and low side windows make it bright and airy and the dash layout and controls from the mkIV Golf are functional and easy to use. The adjustable front seats and steering wheel mean drivers of all shapes and sizes can find a comfortable position. Only rear seat passengers may have cause to grumble.
They tend to lose out on head and legroom due to the huge boot. If it wants to compete against BMW and Audi though, it'll have to be more than well built. So, what's it like on the road? Well, it depends upon your point of comparison. The lower-engined versions arent particularly sporty (but then, nor is a BMW 316i or an Audi A4 1.6). Take the 180bhp 1.
8-litre T, however, and you might be converted to Volkswagens point of view. It costs less than a BMW 316i but with 180bhp on tap, the performance is obviously much better. In summary, two types of customer will probably appreciate the Bora. First, there are those Volkswagen converts not yet ready for the price and maturity of a Passat.
Then there are those who cant or dont want to - afford a decent 3 Series or A4 and seek instead a quality German saloon that does most of the same kinds of things. Whether there are enough of these people to make the car a success in the UK will be interesting to see.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Volkswagen Bora range
PRICES: £13,750-£18,850 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUPS: 6-13
CO2 EMISSIONS: 143-194g/km
PERFORMANCE: [1.8T 150] 0-60mph 8.9s / Max speed 134mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: [1.8T 150] (combined) 35mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin airbags, front seat side airbags, ABS, ESP
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: (length/width/height ) 4376/1446/2018
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