- The eighth-generation Volkswagen Golf hatchback, known as the Mark 8, is making its Europe-market debut.
- It remains based on the MQB platform and looks similar to its predecessor, but offers lots of new tech features.
- Only the sportier Mark 8 Golf GTI and Golf R models are confirmed for the U.S. market so far, but we hope that this base Golf comes to our shores, too.
The arrival of a new Volkswagen Golf never comes as a huge surprise.
More than 35 million Golfs have been produced through seven generations
since the first was launched in 1974. The dynasty also accounts for a
disproportionate number of our all-time favorite Volkswagens. The new
Mark 8 Golf has now arrived to replace the current Mark 7 Golf, and its
gently evolved exterior styling make it obvious that a lot about the new
car remains familiar.
Much is different, too, but let’s start with what stays the same.
Like its predecessor, the Mark 8 Golf sits on Volkswagen Group's MQB
platform. This is the automotive Swiss army knife architecture that
underpins everything from the Europe-market Polo subcompact to the Atlas
SUV. Dimensions are barely changed from those of the Mark 7, with a
modest 1.0-inch increase in overall length and a 0.6-inch stretch in
wheelbase, but fractional reductions in both width and height.
Volkswagen
has released powertrain details for the Europe market, few (or none) of
which are relevant to the U.S. market. We can certainly discount the
entry-level 1.0-liter three-cylinder TSI that underpins the range in
Europe; it will be sold in both 89-hp and 108-hp outputs. (We drove the engine in a Mark 7
back in 2017.) Similarly, there is zero chance that either of the TDI
diesels (in 113-hp and 148-hp outputs) will come across the Atlantic,
for what should remain a fairly obvious reason.
At the center of the range sit a pair of punchier 1.5-liter
four-cylinder gasoline engines, with 128 and 148 horsepower,
respectively. If Volkswagen does decide to continue with the regular Golf in the States, then the punchier version of this would seem to be the obvious engine to act as the entry-level powerplant.
In Europe, a six-speed manual gearbox will be standard, with some
engines getting the option of a new seven-speed dual-clutch automatic
gearbox which brings 48-volt hybrid assistance through a belt-connected
starter-generator. There will also be a pair of plug-in hybrids, both
using a 1.4-liter gasoline engine and a 13.0-kWh battery pack, in 201-hp
and 242-hp states of tune (the latter is branded a GTE). The e-Golf EV
is also dead; VW reckons the new ID.3 has effectively replaced it.
The
only models currently confirmed for the States are the forthcoming GTI
and Golf R. While we don't know the details yet, we're promised that the
R will have more than the 295 horsepower of the current car, and that
it will continue to have all-wheel drive. We believe that the GTI will
use an updated version of the outgoing car’s 2.0-liter TSI engine, and
we are cautiously optimistic the GTI will continue to offer a manual
transmission in the States.
Screens and Sliders Inside
While
the exterior design is very similar to that of the current Golf, the
interior marks a much more radical departure. The Mark 8 has a digital
instrument cluster as standard, there's a large touchscreen in the
center of the dashboard, and many functions will be handled with what
Volkswagen is describing as "sliders." These touch-sensitive controls
will operate things such as the climate-control temperature and the
sunroof on the roof console. The new shift-by-wire DSG transmission
means that automatic cars will have a far smaller gear selector to allow
for more storage space in the center console. (VW also says that the
new shifter allows the DSG to "engage reverse while still traveling
forward at low speeds to make maneuvering easier.")
Cars fitted with the optional DCC active suspension will use these
slider controls to allow for selection of intermediate positions between
modes. We’re also promised that there will be an "additional adjustment
range beyond Sport mode," which makes it sounds as though it will be
possible to turn the Golf up to 11.
Beyond the touch interface,
the Golf will feature a voice control system that's said to recognize
far more complicated instructions than existing systems. Reportedly, it
will be smart enough to increase the cabin temperature if an occupant
says "I'm cold." It will also offer integration with Amazon's Alexa
voice assistant to allow items to be added to shopping lists, or even
for instructions to be passed to connected home devices.
Even
more Big Brother is the arrival of car-to-X communication, a short-range
data exchange system that allows equipped vehicles to swap information
with each other or even with road infrastructure. This could mean
warnings about accidents or broken-down vehicles ahead. Unlike existing
data exchange systems, car-to-X can operate at ranges of up to half a
mile without cellphone infrastructure and can relay data almost
instantly. For instance, if a car slides on the surface of a frozen
bridge, it could warn the one following to slow down.
Other technical highlights include standard LED headlights and the
option of a Drive Assistant, an enhanced cruise-control system claimed
to operate at speeds of up to 130 mph. That will be useful on the German autobahn,
but not so much on a U.S. freeway. Volkswagen also says it will be
possible for the Golf to be upgraded after purchase because it has
software enabling pre-installed functions, including adaptive cruise
control, automatic high-beams, and in-car navigation. We wonder how long
before hackers try to access such features for free.
Basic
versions of the Golf will go on sale in Europe at the end of this year,
with the GTI and Golf R set to follow next year. We look forward to
telling you more about them once we have details, but we also hope that
some of the regular Golfs make it here, too.
