Volkswagen’s new e-Golf is now on sale in Germany at a price of €34,900 ($47,833.94). It joins the smaller e-Up! which is already at dealerships in several European markets. The Golf is indisputably the most successful European car of all time, with over 30 million sold. If VW is serious about selling the electric version, it could take the European EV scene to a new level.

The e-Golf, which can be recognized by its C-shaped LED running lights, sports an 85 kW motor with maximum torque of 270 Nm, and a 24.2 kWh liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery, which comes with an 8-year/160,000 km guarantee. VW estimates the range at between 130 and 190 km.

According to VW, the e-Golf features a higher efficiency rating (12.7 kWh/100 km) than its competitor, the Nissan LEAF (15 kWh/100 km).

The Modular Transverse Matrix architecture that underpins the Golf A7 platform allows the battery to be housed under the passenger compartment. Motor, transmission and battery were developed in-house by Volkswagen.

US sales are scheduled to begin in selected markets during the fourth quarter of 2014.

Source: Volkswagen