Say hello to the new Volkswagen Golf GTI
The Mk8.5 gets more power, is DSG only and comes with the option of real carbon fibre for the first time...
50 is a big anniversary whichever way it's cut: a golden wedding anniversary, a half-century, an excuse to throw a party (and reminisce about being 30). In automotive, 50 is enormous, because precious few nameplates remain relevant and desirable for so long. Now the Golf is part of that illustrious club, and VW is marking the occasion with a comprehensive update of the eighth-generation model.
The big news for the regular variants is more power for the mild hybrid models and a significantly increased range for the plug-ins; the replacement of a 10.6kWh battery with a 19.7kWh should mean around 62 miles of EV range for the eHybrid and GTE, plus charging is faster. As with recent VW updates to the Passat and Tiguan, there’s a heavy emphasis on the electrified models (including a GTE that’s more powerful than the GTI, but more on that in a sec).
That being said, the Golf has always been popular thanks to the sheer choice it tends to offer, and that continues for the Mk8.5: at launch there will be hatch and wagon, with a pure ICE 1.5 four-cylinder (115hp or 150hp) and 2.0 TDI (also 115hp or 150hp) available. Heck, there’s even a six-speed manual for those so inclined, alongside the familiar seven-speed dual-clutch and six-speed eDSG.
There’s a slightly different look, too (including an illuminated VW logo at the front), although the biggest news for all Golfs comes inside thanks to an interior revision. Expect to hear much more about the developed-from-scratch MIB4 over the coming months, with its free-standing touchscreen, AI-enhanced voice assistant and - get this - illuminated touch sliders for the temperature and volume. Wonders will never cease.
VW says that operation ‘has been significantly improved and simplified’ for both the basic 10.4-inch and plusher 12.9-inch screen, thanks to a new menu structure and redone graphics. There are touch bars at the bottom and top that remain on screen no matter what else is going on, and individual shortcuts can be assigned. In cahoots with ‘very fast’ systems, you’ll hopefully not be left waiting too long this time for the function that’s been asked for. If all else fails, the return of proper steering wheel buttons ought to mean that a fair bit can be controlled from there.
But let’s not get bogged down by interior details too much - it looks an improvement, and that’s a good thing. The important news from a PH perspective is that the GTI remains alive and well, and gets more power than ever in a standard model (265hp). It’s DSG only from now on, however, as predicted. Other than that it’s going to feel very similar, bar a new wheel design, not least because VW doesn’t go into significant detail.
The facelifted model gets a mention right at the end of the Golf press release along with the GTE (now with 272hp), which draws attention to the honeycomb grille, twin exhaust and red accents. Partly that’s because the apple seemingly hasn’t fallen far from the tree, partly it’s because tastier morsels - the GTI Clubsport, the R and R estate among them - are being held for later. Still, the standard Mk8 GTI was already very decent to drive, - it was being a Golf that it didn’t really excel at. Hopefully, the updated interior, complete with 'optional interior applications in genuine carbon fibre' for the first time, will go some way to remedying that.
“The Golf has been at the heart of the Volkswagen brand for half a century now, offering affordable mobility for all at the highest technical level. It has constantly adapted itself to customer needs and has thus become a global bestseller,” said Thomas Schäfer, VW’s CEO.
“This is precisely what we are now building on with the latest evolutionary stage of the product line – with even higher efficiency, comfort and quality and a new operating concept. The Golf does not get any better than this.” Expect the Mk8.5 to be available to order very soon; if you're inclined to wait for the faster, pricier (i.e. better) stuff, VW says to expect them in the second half of 2024.
I realise however that this ship has perhaps sailed and that DSG with the right chassis, and overall setup of the car and engine, is sometimes more suited to the way the manufacturer has packaged and envisaged the car.
What I can never, ever understand is why every car in this segment has to have privacy glass as standard. It’s like a default in the UK, there is never ever a choice to not have it, and everyone I know tells me I’m mad for even noticing or complaining.
Why we can’t just have the option of clear glass is beyond me, especially when the humble car it comes from has the option to go without (in “lower” trims).
It seems that it fixes most of the things that they messed up with the original 8.
I was not a fan of the 8 when it was launched, and owned a 7.5 until a month ago. However, the general look of the 8 has become more acceptable to the point I actually think it looks pretty decent. The Mk7.5 I think now does look a bit dated.
If this is the last ICE Golf it looks like they’ve got it about right. I’m glad they still offer some diesels too, there is a place in the market for them. My recently acquired BMW 420d will do 750 miles on a tank and will easily get 60+mpg which is useful if you’re a high mileage driver.
I'd agree with a previous poster that the door badge is a bit tacky.
I liked the headlamp bulb cover with the VW logo on it on the MK6.
As a hot hatch fan I look forward to reading about the golf R and edition 50 (which surely should be a greatest hits, Pirelli alloys, mk2 16v royal green colour, mk7 interior ha) but too expensive now really
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