There he is! The new Volkswagen Golf has just been revealed. We went to Wolfsburg, Germany, Volkswagen's home, to meet the eighth generation of what is undoubtedly one of the industry's benchmark models.
We started to know the first details of the new generation, but for now, the first observation will have to be “it still looks like a Golf”.
If the first Golf was a radical break with the Beetle, the watchword has since been evolution, not revolution — there are critical voices regarding this approach, but the results are indisputable. It remains a model with the strongest of identities.
Herbert Diess, CEO of VolkswagenVolkswagen's future starts with the new Golf.
The lineage is obvious, from the first Golf of 1974 to the new Golf VIII. Note the two-volume silhouette, or the robust C-pillar.
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The new generation differs, essentially, at the ends. The front reveals a curved bonnet, with the headlights in a low position, in the image of the Passat or Arteon; the headlamps themselves (with a new luminous signature), like the taillights, take on a more jagged outline.
The new Volkswagen Golf joins the list of models available on the market that project the logo onto the floor, a “feel” available as standard from the Life equipment level.
In profile, the biggest difference lies in the presence of what Volkswagen designers call the Tornado Line, that is, the straight line that defines the waistline, uniting the front and rear, contouring the rear of the vehicle, uninterruptedly.
The new Volkswagen Golf remains compact: 4.284 m in length (+26 mm than Golf 7), 1,789 m in width (-1 mm) and 1,456 m in height (-36 mm). The wheelbase is 2,636 mm (+16 mm).
digital interior revolution
If the exterior carefully evolves a 45-year heritage, inside, digitization has revolutionized it. As standard, all Golfs come with the Digital Cockpit (10.25″) in addition to the infotainment system made up of an 8.25″ touchscreen, which seem to unite, creating a new digital architecture.
Optionally, the driver's digital space can be enhanced with two infotainment systems with 10-inch screens. In conjunction with the Discover Pro navigation system, it makes it possible to create the Innovision Cockpit, which we were able to see on its debut on the Volkswagen Touareg. There is also the possibility of having a head-up display with projection on the windshield.
Herbert Diess, Volkswagen CEO(The Golf) is a timeless classic for everyone.
Controlling the lights or demister is now done via a new digital panel to the left of the instrument panel. The digital reached the operation of the panoramic roof, carried out through a tactile slider.
As far as connectivity is concerned, they can count on usb-c sockets at the front and at the rear. A wireless charging platform is also available. The air conditioning duct that serves the rear occupants now has independent temperature control.
Electrification and… Featured Diesel
With regard to engines, Volkswagen highlights the hybridization of engines. Electrification is not an absolute novelty in the Golf — the predecessor already had an electric version and a plug-in hybrid.
In the new Golf, Volkswagen reinforces the hybrid arguments, doubling the number of plug-in hybrids, and for the first time introduces mild-hybrid (48V) variants identified under the initials eTSI.
The latter comprise 110 hp (1.0 three-cylinder turbo), 130 hp and 150 hp (both 1.5 four-cylinder turbo), with Volkswagen promising a 10% reduction in consumption (WLTP) — all of which will be sold in Portugal. The mild-hybrid versions are exclusively equipped with a seven-speed DSG gearbox.
In plug-in hybrids ( eHybrid ), the acronym GTE is back, but now with 245 hp. A less powerful version was introduced in the plug-in hybrid range, which inherits the power of 204 hp from the previous GTE and appears only cataloged as eHybrid.
Both rely on a battery that now has 13 kWh, promising autonomy in electric mode up to around 60 km (WLTP cycle) and are equipped with a 6-speed DSG gearbox.
Still on the engines, Diesel remains in the eighth generation. The 1.6 TDI disappears from the range, leaving only the 2.0 TDI in two versions, with 115 and 150 hp. A new “twin-dosing” technology debuts, essentially consisting of two selective reduction (SCR) catalysts, which significantly reduce NOx emissions by 80%. It is also more efficient, with a promise of consumption reduced by 17%.
Finally, two three-cylinder TSI engines will be available, with 90 and 110 hp — only the 110 hp (with manual gearbox) comes to Portugal —, which work under the Miller cycle and a TGI (GNC) with 130 hp.
And what about e-Golf? With the launch of the new ID.3 and according to Volkswagen, having the e-Golf in the range no longer makes sense, which is why it was discontinued in this generation.
Car2X, always on
Connectivity is an important asset of the eighth generation of the new model. The new Volkswagen Golf will be the first to be able to connect to its environment, as standard on all versions, via Car2X, that is, it will be able to receive information not only from the traffic infrastructure, but also from other vehicles up to a distance of 800 m, notifying the driver through its interface.
In case of alerts, it can also communicate with other vehicles that have this capability.
GTI, GTD and R
The more vitamin-rich versions of the new Golf will only be known during the next year, but we can confirm that there will be a Golf GTI and a Golf GTI TCR accompanying it.There will still be a Golf GTD and, of course, at the top of the range of the more vitamins we will have a new Golf R.
As for powers, Razão Automóvel knows that the Golf GTI promises to start at 245 hp — the same power as the more powerful version of the GTE. The Golf GTD reaches the 200 hp milestone and the Golf R will have 333 hp of power.
new equipment
The new range will revolve around new equipment package specifications — forget about Trendline or Highline. Welcome to the base level “Golf”, followed by Life, Style and R-Line.
Even at the most basic level we have LED headlamps and optics, Keyless start, digital cockpit, We Connect and We Connect Plus services and functions, multi-function steering wheel, automatic air conditioning, Lane Assist, Front Assist (with pedestrian detection) and, like we've already mentioned Car2X.
One of the great novelties of the Volkswagen Golf 8 is that in addition to online upgrades, it is also possible to buy new options after purchase. Technologies such as Adaptive Cruise Control, Light Assist, navigation system, wi-fi hotspot, voice control, among others, can be acquired after purchasing the car.
For those who enjoy listening to music in the car, an optional new 400W Harman Kardon sound system is available.
“Alexa, remind me to subscribe to the Ledger Automobile channel”
The Volkswagen Golf is also the first Volkswagen to be made available with Alexa, Amazon's virtual assistant. Through voice commands, it is possible to shop online, modify your personal agenda, or ask more trivial questions such as knowing, for example, what the weather is like in a particular city.
It was very recently that Amazon introduced the Portuguese language in its virtual assistant, however, for now only Brazilian Portuguese.
When arrives?
The first deliveries of the new Volkswagen Golf begin next December, in Germany and Austria, with the other markets receiving them in the first months of 2020 — for the Portuguese market a Arrival forecast is for the month of March, can be ordered from December.
