The Mk8 Volkswagen Golf is getting a nip-and-tuck subsequent yr, which is able to take the present mannequin out to an anticipated electrical substitute later this decade.
Talking with Spain’s AutoBild and subsequently quoted by Motor1, VW CEO Thomas Schäfer stated he expects the mid-life replace for the model’s prime promoting hatchback might be launched someday in 2024.
It’ll possible convey anticipated revisions to its infotainment consumer interface and inside high quality in the same vein to the upcoming ID.3 EV facelift that can make its method to Australia subsequent yr.
Whereas different particulars are pretty scant at present, it’s anticipated the revised Golf will provide a bigger 12-inch touchscreen as seen on the Cupra Formentor and Leon, backlit local weather controls and extra user-friendly touch-based controls on the show and steering wheel, in addition to an up to date vary of drivetrains – significantly on the electrification entrance.
The present automobile gives 48V mild-hybrid eTSI variations of the 1.0 TSI and 1.5 TSI turbocharged petrol engines, in addition to a 1.4 TSI eHybrid plug-in hybrid (PHEV) in two states of tune – the 180kW/400Nm model is obtainable in Australia with the Cupra Formentor and Leon VZe fashions.
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2024 VW Golf prototype -
Present Golf 8
Anticipated updates, not less than for the European market, embody the brand new, extra environment friendly 1.5 TSI evo2 petrol engine that mixes the PPF and three-way catalytic converter into one module and reduces the usage of valuable metals, in addition to an enhanced Energetic Cylinder Administration system which shuts off two cylinders beneath low engine load.
This new energy unit will even kind the idea of a new-generation plug-in hybrid system that’s as a result of proliferate amongst MQB Evo-based fashions within the close to future. Utilizing the 1.5 TSI evo2 as a base, the PHEV system ought to provide as much as 200kW in its strongest kind – indicating a 20kW energy bump for the GTE.
VW has additionally mooted a bump in zero-emissions driving vary in its next-gen PHEV system courtesy of effectivity developments and a bigger battery, with as much as 100 kilometres quoted in numerous Group materials talking of future product. So, anticipate 80-100km of EV vary from the up to date Golf eHybrid and GTE.
It’s anticipated that VW Australia will debut the Golf GTE with the facelifted mannequin, although it’s unlikely to lob till the latter phases of 2024 on the earliest. That’s two years behind VW subsidiary Cupra, which launched its MQB Evo-based plug-in hybrids final yr.
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1.5 TSI evo2
Whereas much less related to the Australian market, Volkswagen additionally not too long ago detailed an enhanced 2.0 TDI evo diesel engine that now meets the newest Euro 6d emissions rules – which enable 80mg or NOx per kilometre. New tech consists of twin-dose AdBlue know-how through a pair of SCR catalytic converters.
This know-how hit the Australian market within the Audi A4 allroad and can be out there with the Q5, full with a 12V mild-hybrid system.
In its world press launch, Volkswagen says it additionally plans to combine a mild-hybrid system to its ubiquitous 2.0 TDI motor, which may see the introduction of a brand new eTDI moniker that might debut sooner with the next-generation Skoda Kodiaq, VW Tiguan and Passat which might be all as a result of be revealed someday this yr.
Additional to the Mk8 facelift, which is able to possible be on sale globally till round 2028, Mr Schäfer additionally reaffirmed the corporate’s plans to maintain the Golf badge alive for a ninth technology, although the subsequent iteration “should” be an electrical car.
“We’re engaged on a portfolio to see what would be the successor to the present Volkswagen Golf. And from my standpoint, it won’t be one with a combustion engine. It have to be an electrical car,” Mr Schäfer stated.
In a latest interview with Autocar late final yr, Schäfer stated the model is dedicated to its “iconic model names”.
“Now we have iconic model names, Golf and GTI. It will be loopy to allow them to die and slip away. We’ll stick to the ID. logic however iconic fashions will carry a reputation,” Mr Schäfer stated.
“There’s a reference to VW and ID, and there’s no have to cancel [ID.]”
Based on abroad stories, the ‘ID. Golf’ or ‘Golf ID.’ names are mooted for the subsequent technology, which is able to sit beneath the next-generation ID.3 and above the smaller ID.2 as a result of launch within the coming years, the latter based mostly on the model’s upcoming cheaper MEB Lite structure.
The ninth-gen Golf, nonetheless, is predicted to be based mostly on the upcoming SSP electrical platform due in 2026, set to switch each the present MEB and PPE electrical architectures, in addition to the ICE-based MQB, MLB and MSB platforms.
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Golf 8 GTI
Whereas nonetheless a gross sales favorite in Europe and the UK, the Golf has struggled to match its historic success of late within the Australian market. International provide points and part shortages have wreaked havoc for the native division.
The Mk8 Golf arrived in Australia in mid-2021, although it went on sale in Germany on the very finish of 2019. The changeover interval noticed Golf gross sales plummet 80.8 per cent total in 2021.
The model didn’t full its rollout of the redesigned vary till earlier this yr with the arrival of the R fashions. Throughout 2022, 3223 Golf automobiles have been registered in Australia, progress of 67.3 per cent.
Ongoing chip shortages have compelled VW Australia to cease taking orders of the Golf Hatch for just about everything of the primary quarter of 2023, as this lacking part powers the reversing digicam – VW Australia says it received’t import automobiles with out this characteristic.
The native arm says any native registrations counted in VFACTS gross sales figures in the course of the first quarter might be leftover hatchback inventory in addition to gross sales of the at the moment unaffected Golf Wagon.
