Images of what is believed to be the facelifted 2024 Volkswagen Golf have been leaked online, showing off the new hatchback’s angry new face.
Published to Korean forum Autospy, the image shows “the new Golf” at what appears to be an internal preview event.
The vehicle shown wears slimmer headlights that retain the conjoined look of the current model, which gets an LED light bar on higher grades.
There’s a new front bumper design too that is quite angular and aggressive, suggesting the vehicle shown here is an R-Line version – a similar design adorns the R-Line version of the latest Passat.
2024 Passat R-Line
No images of the updated hatchback’s interior have been published yet, but Volkswagen’s renewed focus on interior tactility and quality should mean the updated Mk8 will offer a more refined take on the current car’s more minimalist design.
Using the new ID.3, Passat and Tiguan as a guide, the new Golf should feature more soft-touch surfaces and stitched leatherette details, elevating the cabin ambience to more premium levels.
Further, larger 12.9 and 15-inch touchscreens are expected to be available, up from the existing car’s 10.25-inch unit, running the brand’s new MIB4 infotainment matrix.
The new interface is said to offer enhanced functionality via a new natural voice control function, and Volkswagen has updated the menu structure and “operating philosophy” to be more user-friendly.
2024 VW Golf prototype
Volkswagen has previously confirmed the updated Golf will receive the latest developments of the MQB evo architecture, from the new MIB4 infotainment matrix and higher-quality interior finishes, to the newest, most efficient drivetrains the brand has to offer.
Like the new Passat and soon-to-be-revealed Tiguan, the new Golf will offer turbo-diesel engines (TDI), turbocharged petrol engines (TSI), mild-hybrid turbocharged petrol engines (eTSI) and plug-in hybrid systems (eHybrid).
A range of 1.0-litre, 1.5-litre and 2.0-litre units are currently available globally, and these will be used in the new model with some improvements. Australian models run an older 1.4 TSI with eight-speed automatic previously used for the US-market Golf, rather than the latest EU-spec drivetrains.
The biggest developments should be in store for the eHybrid PHEVs, including the Golf GTE plug-in hybrid hot hatch. A new 1.5 TSI evo2 turbocharged petrol engine forms the basis of VW’s new plug-in hybrid system, which should be available in 150kW and 200kW tunes like the new Passat.
Golf GTE Mk8
With a larger 19.7kWh (net) lithium-ion battery pack, the new Golf eHybrid and GTE should offer around 100 kilometres of electric driving range – up from 50-62km – with the GTE getting a 20kW power bump to 200kW. The new PHEVs will also offer 50kW DC fast charging, as previewed by the new Passat.
With the updated Golf Mk8, Australia will get plug-in hybrid drive as an option for the first time. Volkswagen’s local division has committed to bringing the new Golf GTE as well as the next Tiguan eHybrid in 2024.
The facelifted Volkswagen Golf is expected to be revealed very soon, with these leaked images suggesting we could see the new model surface before the end of the year, ahead of a 2024 market introduction. Further details, including Australian availability and timing, will be revealed closer to then.
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