2024 Volkswagen Golf 8.5 Revealed

After a lengthy teaser campaign, the new 2024 Volkswagen Golf 8.5 has been unveiled with considerable changes both inside and out.

The iconic Golf nameplate has turned 50 years old and what we’re looking at is the 2024 Volkswagen Golf 8.5, likely to be the last internal-combustion-engine-powered Volkswagen Golf. It is understood that when Golf 9 appears, electricity will be the engine of choice.

With the 2024 Volkswagen Golf 8.5, the Wolfsburg-based brand has aimed to address numerous criticisms leveled at the 8. Revealed back in 2019, the Volkswagen Golf 8 was by no means perfect. The interior ergonomics, software user experience and tactile materials were just some of the criticisms. The lack of physical buttons and subsequent haptic touchpads were not the most popular either.

Given South Africa’s love for all things GTI, let’s focus on that uprated engine. The 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder petrol engine has been given a power increase that sees it go from 180 kW to 195 kW. It appears torque has remained unchanged at 370 Nm. That should shave a tenth or two off the claimed 0-100 kph time.

Power reaches the front wheels via a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox, commonly known as DSG. A manual option was never offered in our market, but it has been killed off for the 8.5. For the performance fanatics, Volkswagen has confirmed there will be a Clubsport and an R which will be revealed in the second half of 2024.

The South African lineup is expected to comprise just the petrol-powered performance models like GTI and R. The rest of the world will get 1.5 eTSI mild hybrids, plug-in hybrid (PHEV) derivatives as well as a performance GTE that gets a bigger battery and thus more EV driving range. There’s also a 2.0-litre TDI turbocharged diesel available.

The design has been tweaked, with re-designed LED headlights, new taillamps, revised intake and grille, an illuminated badge and there are new colours and wheel designs. Climb inside and Volkswagen has overhauled the cabin. The touch-sensitive pads have been replaced by old-school physical buttons and the quirky infotainment system has been replaced by a new setup. The standard Golf 8.5 gets a 10.4-inch unit, while GTI and other premium models get a larger 12.9-inch version. There are new graphics and a simpler menu structure. ChatGPT makes its debut inside the Golf 8.5 as a digital voice assistant.

When will the 2024 Volkswagen Golf 8.5 come to South Africa?

Officially, the European sales are set to begin in “European spring” which means 2nd quarter. Locally, Volkswagen South Africa confirmed its model lineup for 2024 and the facelifted Golf 8.5 wasn’t mentioned. We’ve reached out to the brand to get an official timeline, but our gut feel says we’re not going to see the popular hatchback on our shores in 2024.

Volkswagen South Africa has released a statement: “Please note that the local launch timing is still under investigation. We will be able to give an indicative timing after the European market introduction in the second half of 2024.”