The petrol-powered VW Golf GTI is expected to get one last update before it makes the transition to an electric platform.
The fan-favourite hot hatchback, which is currently in its eighth generation, is on track to receive a facelift in early 2024 that will see the internal combustion engine fitted through to 2027 – the date when the automaker plans to introduce its next wave of ID. electrified vehicles, according to a report by AutoCar UK.
What we know so far
The Golf’s facelift will not be merely cosmetic, as the reports are that its turbocharged 2.0-litre, four-cylinder engine will be overclocked to obtain even more power as a final hurrah towards its petrol roots.
This could see the GTI’s output rise to 195kW and 400Nm – an improvement of 15kW and 30Nm over the power the car already has – which would drop its 0-100km/h acceleration to under 6.0 seconds, 0.4 seconds quicker than the current model.
The chassis will also be stiffened, and a more advanced version of the Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) adaptive suspension will be implemented to provide even better handling and roll resistance in the corners, though the hatch still sits on front-wheel-drive architecture rather than an all-wheel setup like the Golf R.
It is likely that VW will stick with the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearshift, though AutoCar mentions that a six-speed manual stick may be on the cards now that the 2025 Euro 7 emission regulations have been relaxed.
Mk8.5 Golf GTI prototype. Source: Autocar
Given that it is a facelift, the Golf’s appearance and equipment list are also due for an upgrade, starting with a subtle tweak to the LED headlights that adds new light strips that run parallel to a red line on the front nose.
Based on spy shots, the front end seems to take inspiration from the Golf R with a set of angled fenders that dip down and rise back up.
On that note, the performance car looks like it will keep its honeycomb grille, and that its alloy wheels will sport a new look when the revamped model goes on sale.
Inside, the infotainment screen now measures 12.9 inches while the digital dash clocks in at 10.4 inches, and the carmaker is ditching the haptic controls on the multifunction steering wheel that have garnered a mixed reception from customers, in favour of a more ergonomic and streamlined set of inputs for both the steering wheel and the dashboard.
Mk8.5 Golf GTI prototype interior. Source: Autocar
End of an era
Volkswagen has made a number of big reveals and announcements over the past year regarding its plans for the future, which entail the discontinuation or radical redesign of some of its most iconic badges.
The Polo, for example, may be scrapped in Europe as early as 2025 as its status as a (relatively) affordable family hatchback means the cost of electrifying it will likely prove too high for both the manufacturer and the consumer down the line.
VW ID.GTI Concept
The Golf’s more prestigious position within the Wolfsburg-based carmaker’s catalogue means it will not be subjected to the same fate. However, it will still need to go electric in order to meet the ever-tightening emission restrictions of the European Union.
This is what led to the unveiling of the new all-electric ID. GTI Concept – a car that will carry on the nameplate’s legacy while using the same platform as the battery-powered ID. 3.
No performance data has been provided regarding the battery-driven GTI so far, though it will no doubt be able to keep up with the vehicle it is replacing.
Keyword: The last petrol-powered VW Golf GTI – Everything we know