Following the unveiling of the facelifted Golf Mk7 family, including the GTi and GTE, earlier in November, Volkswagen took the wraps of the updated e-Golf at the 2016 Los Angeles Auto Show. Originally introduced at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show, the all-electric hatchback now offers a more powerful motor, improved range, and new features inside and out.

Design-wise, the e-Golf follows in the footsteps of its conventional siblings, sporting a mildly revised exterior with new bumpers, and LED headlamps and taillights. The same goes for the cabin, where customers will find new decor and seat trim. More significant updates were made in the technology department, including a 12.3-inch color instrument cluster, optional "Discover Pro" infotainment with 9.2-inch display, gesture control, and a wide range of driver assistance systems.

By far the most important changes lurk under the shell, where Volkswagen added an upgraded electric motor rated 134 horsepower and 214 pound-feet of maximum torque. These figures account for a 19-horsepower and 15-pound-foot increase over the previous model. The extra oomph brings improved performance figures too. The sprint from 0 to 60 mph is achieved in 9.6 seconds, more than a second faster, while top speed increased from 86 to 93 mph.

Volkswagen also developed a new lithium-ion battery with energy capacity increased from 24.2 kWh to 35.8 kWh. The range also goes up from 83 to 124 miles with this update, meaning a 50-percent improvement over the original e-Golf. What's more, the on-board 7.2 kW charger is now standard on both SE and SEL Premium trims, charging the battery at 100 percent in less than six hours at a traditional charging station. When equipped with DC Fast Charging, which is optional on SE and standard on SEL Premium, the battery can be charged to 80 percent within an hour at a DC fast charging station.

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Why it matters

With fresh looks, loads of new technology, and increased performance, the e-Golf has what it takes to remain a solid choice on the EV market for a few more years. What's more, the update places it above the Ford Focus Electric, its most important competitor in the U.S. For instance, the Focus comes with 123 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, a smaller 23 kWh battery, a top speed of 84 mph, and an EPA-certified range of only 76 miles. The e-Golf also has far more tech and driver assistance features than the Focus Electric and likely won't be much more expensive.

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