On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Golf, Volkswagen has just announced the arrival of a new range of the famous compact city car. On the program, new engines, a complete overhaul of the infotainment system and a revised design. We take stock together.
In the year 2024, the Golf is preparing to celebrate its 50th anniversary. On this occasion, Volkswagen has decided to offer a “second youth” to its legendary model. With this redesign, the German manufacturer intends to offer new thermal and hybrid enginesa revised exterior design, a new, AI-boosted infotainment systemor even more intuitive controls.
In total, this new range will accommodate no less than 9 variations, divided between the Semi-hybrid, Plug-in hybrid, supercharged gasoline engine and Turbodiesel models. In this article, we will only focus on the plug-in hybrid versions, namely the Golf eHybrid and GTE.
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Light signatures and high-tech interior
First, let’s start with the design changes. These new Golfs stand out from their predecessors thanks to the unprecedented integration in Europe of illuminated Volkswagen logo in the center, but also new LED headlights, LED taillights and bumpers. Note that in high finish, the new Golf offers high performance driving lights, namely IQs. Light, capable of illuminating up to a distance of 500 meters. Apart from this emphasis on light signatures, we find in broad terms the design of the Golf 8. Let us also point out that the dimensions of the city car have not changed: 4.39 m long, 1.78 m wide, 1.49 m high.
The Golf’s interior also gets a facelift with a completely redesigned infotainment system. It now consists of a large 10.4″ or 12.9″ touch screen depending on the finishes, under which we find light sliders to control the on-board temperature and the sound volume. Then, users will be able to count on a 10.2″ Digital Cockpit Pro digital handset series. Other major new features: the multifunction steering wheel and the IDA voice assistantwith which the driver can interact via natural voice commands to trigger certain actions (air conditioning, phone calls, navigation, etc.).
ChatGPT arrives in the Golf
As we were able to test at CES 2024 in Las Vegas, this new Golf will also be the first to have ChatGPT on board. Conversational AI will be able to answer general questions and provide information about your vehicle, places, personalities or events, or even create entertaining stories for children, for example. However, in order not to disturb the driver’s attention, the AI will not be able to display images, videos or texts on the screen. All answers will be provided by voice synthesis.
We will also note the arrival of new parking aids, such as Park Assist Pro or Area View. The first will allow the vehicle to be guided remotely from a smartphone, for example to park in a very narrow space (to avoid possible hassle getting out of the vehicle). As for the second, it generates a 360° view of the vehicle on the central touch screen by merging the images from the four cameras installed on the bodywork.
More range and power on the Golf eHybrid and GTE
With this new version, the Golf eHybrid and GTE gain power and autonomy thanks to the adoption of the MQB Evo platform, “the final step in the evolution of the MQB modular transverse engine platform”. Concretely, the Golf eHybrid now displays a cumulative power of 204 hp (i.e. 150 kW), while the GTE reaches the 272 hp (for 195 kW). Both models are front-wheel drive and carry a six-speed DSG gearbox specially designed for PHEV models.
The manufacturer promises foolproof efficiency thanks to the adoption of the new 1.5-liter gasoline engine (1.5 TSI evo2) equipped with a variable geometry turbocharger. Concerning electrification, these two models accommodate the new 19.7 kWh battery (compared to 10.6 kWh on old versions) already seen in the latest Passat. What to achieve 100 km 100% electric according to VW, and almost 1,000 km in hybrid.
Let us also point out that alternating current charging goes from 3.6 kW to 11k kW. And for the first time, the Golf eHybrid and GTE can recharge their batteries at fast charging stations with maximum power of 50 kW.
Volkswagen remains mysterious about prices
What about the price list and release date? On these two points, Volkswagen has remained silent for the moment. However, we know that the launch of this new Golf is planned for 2024. As for prices, we will have to play the game of guesswork for lack of anything better. If we rely on the prices of the current GTE (priced from €51,580), we can count on a slightly larger entry ticket. As for the new Golf eHybrid, the bill should be between €40,000 and €50,000.