Volkswagen has formally previewed the facelifted Golf GTI sizzling hatch, set to be proven as {a partially} camouflaged prototype on the CES 2024 know-how conference this week.
The 2025 Volkswagen Golf GTI will type a part of the facelifted vary as a consequence of be revealed in full later this 12 months, coinciding with the fiftieth anniversary of the German model’s iconic hatchback nameplate.
Whereas the outside particulars are considerably hid by the colorful wrap, we are able to see new headlight and tail gentle clusters with up to date graphics – the latter look to be OLED models too – in addition to what seems to be an Akrapovic titanium sports activities exhaust system.
It’s price noting the extra aggressive bodykit and light-weight alloy wheels proven on this prototype are just like what’s fitted to the present GTI Clubsport, which borrows a lot of its physique add-ons and operating gear from the Golf R.
The GTI Clubsport by no means got here to Australia, although its beefier 221kW 2.0 TSI engine may be had domestically within the Cupra Leon VZx.
We additionally get a primary have a look at the up to date Golf 8’s inside, which can be surprisingly related on first look to the present pre-facelift mannequin.
Aside from the bigger central touchscreen – which ought to develop to fifteen inches in greater grades – there’s little to distinguish the facelifted cabin from the present mannequin bar a revised sports activities steering wheel with bodily multifunction controls as an alternative of the notorious touch-capacitive switchgear in VW’s present vary.
It’s arduous to inform from the restricted view in these teasers, however the Digital Cockpit Professional digital instrument cluster ought to get a software program replace too. The graphics proven on this prototype seem like evenly revised, and we all know already the brand new Passat and Tiguan characteristic the new-generation MIB4 interface – so anticipate the identical right here.
The brand new Golf has been confirmed to obtain the model’s new ChatGPT-based voice assistant known as IDA, which is able to begin rolling out in numerous new Volkswagen fashions later this 12 months together with the brand new Golf, Tiguan, Passat, ID.3, ID.4, ID.5 and ID.7.
The prototype’s inside, which seems to be a leather-clad Clubsport specification, additionally incorporates a shiny carbon-fibre-effect insert just like what we’ve seen within the Golf R 20 Years. It’s unclear whether or not this may turn into extra broadly accessible with up to date variations of the GTI and R.
Late final 12 months Volkswagen briefly teased the new Golf in a video hosted by CEO Thomas Schäfer, one of many “many highlights and new merchandise” to come back from the German auto large in 2024.
Whereas the most recent, most effective iterations of Volkswagen’s powertrain vary are understood to be coming to the up to date Golf line-up, headlined by new eHybrid PHEVs with round 100 kilometres of electrical vary, the engine line-up in Australia is predicted to carryover when the up to date Golf arrives, possible in 2025.
The core vary is at the moment powered by an older 1.4 TSI four-cylinder turbo petrol mated to an Aisin-sourced eight-speed automated, whereas the GTI and R efficiency fashions get a 2.0 TSI with seven-speed DSGs that are nearer to European spec.
VW hasn’t committed to bringing the Golf eHybrid or GTE PHEVs Down Beneath as but, although the latter has been into account for Australia for a while.
The up to date model of the plug-in sizzling hatch is predicted to be boosted to 200kW (up from 180kW) from a brand new 1.5 TSI plug-in hybrid system and supply between 80-100km of electrical vary from its larger lithium-ion battery (up from 50-60km).
Whereas nonetheless a stable vendor in Europe – although it misplaced its high rating up to now couple of years – the VW Golf is a smaller participant within the Australian market. Nevertheless, its reclassification into the premium small passenger VFACTS class has seen it technically take section management.
For the 2023 calendar 12 months the Golf returned 3592 registrations, forward of the associated Audi A3 (3319) and all-electric MG 4 (3134) within the Small Passenger over $40,000 section. That’s up 11.4 per cent on the 12 months prior, and VW Australia confirmed that 1039 units of those 3592 deliveries had been high-spec GTI and R fashions.
The Golf stays a key mannequin inside the firm’s line-up globally, and has been confirmed to go all-electric in its subsequent technology and maintain its long-running identify. Beforehand, it appeared Volkswagen would retire legacy nameplates in its transition into electrification in favour of the brand new ID. household.
Keep tuned to CarExpert for all the most recent Volkswagen Golf information within the coming months, and share your ideas within the remark part under.