Everything you need to know about the new Volkswagen Golf
The New Volkswagen Golf
Volkswagen’s Golf is a household name. Beloved for its all-rounder character - which makes it a great fit for families, couples, commuters and everyone in between - the Golf is a car which has sold in the millions over its lifetime.
One of the reasons why the Golf has remained so popular is through consistent evolution with gradual changes being made to sharpen this everlasting model to each new generation of buyers. The latest 8.5-generation Golf has just been revealed, too, but what has been changed? Let’s take a look.
Exterior design
Take a look at the previous eighth-generation Golf and, against this new revision, you’ll see that Volkswagen has kept things pretty similar. However, there are a few choice areas in which you’ll be able to differentiate the two.
The headlights are slimmer, for example, while the Volkswagen logo on the nose of the car now illuminates. Volkswagen has also reprofiled the Golf’s bumpers for a sleeker look, while new alloy wheel designs have been added.
A more intuitive interior
Some of the complaints levelled against the eighth-generation Golf concerned areas of the interior. While the fit-and-finish was just what you’d expect from Volkswagen, the touchscreen systems and haptic-style steering wheel buttons were, for a lot of people, just too tricky to use.
So Volkswagen has seen fit to change that. It’s why you’ll now find more traditional buttons on the steering wheel, while the infotainment system has been completely redesigned with clearer menus in an effort to make it more intuitive.
Artificial Intelligence integrated for the first time
Artificial Intelligence - or AI - is a hot topic at the moment and a number of car makers are looking to it in order to elevate the in-car experience. Volkswagen is no different and has now included ChatGPT software in this new Golf.
It’s designed to make the voice recognition system even more intelligent. For instance, you’ll be able to ask it to look for restaurants in the local area, adjust the air conditioning levels or even get an answer to a random question which has popped into your head.
A new plug-in hybrid
With the previous plug-in hybrid Golf proving a big hit with buyers, Volkswagen has seen fit to make this latest PHEV even more efficient. With a new 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine and a larger battery than before, this new electrified Golf has a claimed electric range of up to 63 miles from a single charge. You’ve still got the petrol engine to fall back on, of course.
There will be two versions as well, in the form of the standard 201bhp eHybrid and the more powerful GTE, which brings 268bhp.
Return of the GTI
The Golf GTI is one of the most famous hot hatches of all time, which is why Volkswagen has made sure it’s present and correct in this new 8.5 generation car from the off. It’s got more power than before, too, with its 268bhp 2.0-litre petrol engine bringing 23bhp more than its predecessor.
The new Golf GTI will, however, only be available with a DSG automatic gearbox with Volkswagen pulling the plug on the six-speed manual.
Even easier parking
Any extra help with parking is always a good thing which is why Volkswagen has strengthened the level of parking assistance that you get on the new Golf. Thanks to Park Assist Pro, the Golf can be driven in and out of a parking space using the owner’s smartphone with the car managing the braking, acceleration and steering.
Plus, Volkswagen has added a new 360-degree parking camera so you can have a bird’s eye view of the vehicle when you’re positioning it.
