The Germans’ favorite car
VW hasn’t forgotten its bestseller: This is the revised Golf 8
VW Golf 8 GTI
© Volkswagen / PR
Externally, the facelift of the Golf 8 is rather clear. However, there is a lot going on under the hood. The infotainment is new and the plug-in hybrid version can now travel up to 100 kilometers purely electrically.
Wolfgang Gomoll
Whether an ID.3 can achieve this remains to be seen politely and we will take a closer look at the facelift of the traditional bestseller.
New car
The new VW Golf 8 in pictures
“The Golf has been the core of the Volkswagen brand for half a century: affordable mobility for everyone at the highest technical level. It has continually adapted to customer needs and has become a global bestseller. This is exactly what we are now building on with the latest stage of evolution of this series – with even more efficiency, comfort, value and a new operating concept. You can’t get more Golf than that,” says VW boss Thomas Schäfer.
First of all, there is more to the performance. The Golf GTI now has 195 kW / 265 hp under the hood, which is 11 kW / 15 hp more than before and the more powerful version of the 1.5 TSI also gets an increase of 10 kW / 14 hp in power with 150 kW / 204 hp . Initially, the facelifted Golf will have nine engine variants with an output from 85 kW / 115 hp to the 195 kW / 265 hp of the GTI. It stands to reason that there should be another Golf R with more power.
VW Golf 8: Plug-in hybrid only for the hatchback variant
Although the Golf 8 is still available as a variant, the two plug-in hybrids are only available for the hatchback variant: either with 150 KW / 204 HP as a Golf eHybrid or as a Golf GTE with 200 kW / 272 HP, each coupled with a six-speed dual clutch transmission. A lot has happened technically with the two drive modules, which will also be used in other VW Group brands. The battery now has a net capacity of 19.7 kWh (previously 10.6 kWh), which should be good for a range of around 100 kilometers.
What is very important is that the developers have finally taken a hand in loading speed. While previously the electricity at an AC charging station trickled into the energy storage at 3.6 kW, it is now 11 kW and a maximum of 50 kW is possible at a DC fast charging station. In order for a part-time electric vehicle to travel efficiently, the combustion engine must also do its economical part. That’s why the 1.5 TSI engine has a turbocharger with variable turbine geometry. In total, the new PHEV Golf should travel up to 1,000 kilometers.
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In addition to the electric car, the entertainment ambience is an important element of a modern vehicle. VW is using the model update of the eighth generation of Golf to make improvements there too. The newly developed infotainment system will be based on the fourth generation of the modular infotainment system (MIB4), which is already used in other group models.
In addition to software that will hopefully run smoothly from the start this time, operation should be more intuitive than before. Like others, VW relies on apps and tiles, including a bar with “stacked” programs, as you would find on a smartphone. The touchscreen is available in two sizes: 10.4 and 12.9 inches. Speaking of which. The VW Golf can now also park and unpark using a mobile phone remote control. The improved LED light, which shines up to 500 meters, helps when visibility is poor.
Hardly any news on the outside
The external news of the VW icon, on the other hand, is limited. The headlights blink a little more aggressively into the world and the performance headlights are decorated with a glowing VW logo next to the LED bar. The Golf 8 also has 3D rear lights that contribute to the welcome and farewell show.