The New Volkswagen Golf has had a facelift in commemoration of its 50th anniversary. Take a look at its new look here.
Volkswagen has unveiled a significant facelift for the Volkswagen Golf, celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2024 with an update that promises to reinvigorate the beloved hatchback. Dubbed the Volkswagen Golf Mk8.5, this refreshed model addresses the eighth-generation Golf’s long-standing criticisms since its debut in 2020. The updates are so comprehensive that the German company heralds this iteration as the Golf Mk8.5.
Aimed at rectifying key areas of customer feedback, particularly regarding interior design, the Mk8.5 update reads as a concerted effort to restore the Golf’s standing in a fiercely competitive market. With this overhaul, the Golf is set to rival the latest offerings from Vauxhall, Peugeot, Toyota and Honda.
The exterior of the Mk8.5 Golf receives a modern update with new LED light signatures at both the front and rear, alongside a more aggressive front bumper design. A striking new feature is the illuminated VW badge on the car’s nose, mirroring the aesthetic introduced with the Volkswagen ID.7, signalling a fresh iconography for the brand.
Inside, the Golf Mk8.5 reinstates various buttons and switches to the steering wheel, a compromise from the minimalist approach taken with the original Mk8. The touch-sensitive climate and volume controls are now backlit, improving visibility and operation in low-light conditions. The interior is further modernised with a new free-standing 10.4-inch central touchscreen, among other technological upgrades including a windscreen head-up display and the innovative ‘Park Assist Pro2’ system. This allows drivers to manoeuvre the Golf in and out of parking spaces using a smartphone, integrating state-of-the-art functionality into the driving experience.
Volkswagen also introduces the ChatGPT Artificial Intelligence chatbot within its next-generation infotainment system. This addition aims to enhance voice assistant capabilities, setting a new standard in vehicle interactive technology.
Performance-wise, the Golf lineup sees several performance upgrades. The Golf eHybrid and Golf GTE feature Volkswagen’s second-generation plug-in hybrid technology, offering a pure-electric driving range of 62 miles and a power increase to 286bhp for the GTE. The Golf GTI now boasts 261bhp, thanks to an engine upgrade. However, the Golf R steals the spotlight with the most extensive updates, including a 12.9-inch touchscreen, additional horsepower for its 2-litre turbocharged engine, and the inclusion of Volkswagen’s DCC Pro adaptive dampers for sharper handling. Further details on the Golf R are anticipated later this year.
However, in a move that may divide enthusiasts, Volkswagen has decided to omit manual transmission options for both the Golf GTi and Golf R, favouring automatic transmissions to align with modern driving preferences and technology integration.
With the introduction of the Golf Mk8.5, Volkswagen not only commemorates a milestone anniversary but also makes an effort to get back to pole position in the hot hatchback segment, promising a blend of tradition and innovation that will excite longtime fans and new customers alike.
If you’re interested in driving a Golf for yourself, take a look at cars2buy, the UK’s number one destination for Volkswagen Golf lease deals from trusted dealerships. With our transparent service, we collect and aggregate the top Volkswagen Golf lease offers from across the web so that you can compare, search, filter and find the deal that suits you. We streamline the process of acquiring a new car on a lease, sparing them the exhaustive effort of sifting through countless offers across many websites. Browse our Volkswagen Golf lease deals today, and you may be driving one yourself sooner than you think.
