The Volkswagen Golf has long remained a symbol of the European car, notably thanks to its reputation for holding first position in the sales rankings on the Old Continent. However, she lost her crown in 2022, and was even relegated to fifth position. In 2023, while the title of best-selling car in Europe went to the Tesla Model Y electric SUV (also best-selling worldwide), which has nothing to do with the Golf, the latter would have been in seventh position in the ranking, according to preliminary data from Dataforce (source: Automotive News Europe).
At a time when SUVs represent one in two sales in Europe (source: Dataforce via Automotive News Europe), the eighth generation of Volkswagen Golf has not been as overwhelmingly successful as its predecessors since its launch. The press criticized it in particular for average finishes and ergonomics that could be largely improved, areas in which previous models had always escaped any criticism.
Numerous developments, but very subtle
We therefore expected that Volkswagen would try to correct the situation with the mid-career restyling of the Golf 8. The German manufacturer, however, remains faithful to the national tradition, which consists of evolving the models without it being too obvious. . The points that have been reviewed are nevertheless numerous.
In terms of style, the Golf is trying to gain personality, while the current generation has until now been very modest, not to say bland. Volkswagen was therefore inspired by the brand’s latest productions, but also by the sporty versions of the Golf, which are not experiencing the crisis, as far as the R-Line version is concerned. The developments are concentrated on the front shield, and the lights are also new.
Inside, the changes are more obvious. While a growing number of manufacturers are integrating the central screen and the one dedicated to the instrumentation in the same template, Volkswagen is going the opposite way and dissociating the two panels, new compared to phase 1. The instrumentation now measures 10 .25″ diagonal on all versions (which was previously reserved for the Digital Cockpit Pro), compared to 10.4″ or 12.9″ for the central screen (8.25″ or 10″ previously), based on the new MIB4 interface.
It integrates the IDA voice assistant, which uses ChatGPT to answer some of passengers’ questions. “The application could be useful during car journeys, in particular to enrich conversations, answer questions, interact in natural language, obtain information about the vehicle, all while keeping your hands on the wheel”Volkswagen explained when announcing the integration of ChatGPT into its cars at CES 2024.
We also notice that the steering wheel adopts more classic physical touches than on previous versions. An important detail is that the ventilation settings, as well as those of the headlights and defogging, continue to be done via tactile keys.
The Golf is also evolving its platform, inheriting some of the elements of the MQB Evo version of the latest generations of Passat and Tiguan. This allows it to accommodate new technologies, such as Park Assist Plus and Park Assist Pro. The first allows you to record a maneuver to reproduce it automatically, the second to control your Golf from your smartphone, while standing nearby.
Up to 100 km of electric range for plug-in hybrid models
Depending on the market, the restyled Volkswagen Golf will be offered with gasoline engines without hybridization, with mild hybridization and plug-in hybrids, as well as in diesel versions. The 1.5 TSI Evo and 1.4 TSI petrol engines give way to the new 1.5 TSI Evo2 Miller cycle, while the hybrid versions now benefit from a useful 19.7 kWh battery, compared to 10.6 kWh previously. The electric range should thus reach around 100 km.
The Golf remains available as a five-door sedan and as an SW estate. This restyled version will be launched next spring, with the first deliveries scheduled for July 2024. Its prices have not yet been communicated.