Volkswagen Golf eighth generation facelift, with previous generations/Volkswagen
This is the last Golf of its kind: a facelift for the eighth generation of the compact that has sold 37 million units since 1974, overtaken only by the Toyota Corolla (52 million).
The next Golf will be electric only, it will also replace the ID.3, which is imported to Israel only through parallel imports, and is expected in 2027.
Volkswagen has revealed a facelift for the current Golf, with engine, system and cosmetic updates.
Non-dramatic and fairly minor changes compared to the major change in the Beetle's successor in 50 years of production.
The main change is the increase in dimensions: the first generation Golf today is similar in dimensions to a new Hyundai i10, and the 8th generation Golf is larger than the Passat sold in 1974.
The driver's environment 2024. Added physical switches under the screen and on the steering wheel for more convenient operation/Volkswagen
Along with the increase in dimensions, the improvement in performance stands out: from a 1.5 liter 70 hp engine to one with the same volume with 150 hp, from 3 to 7 gears and from 15 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h to 8.5 seconds. We would be happy to compare fuel consumption figures, but the measurement method in the 1970s has completely changed from today's, so the manufacturer's figures cannot even show any kind of comparison between the Golf of that time on 13" rims and the one of today on 16" rims.
Along with the increase in the dimensions of the Golf It also expanded in the weight section: from a measly 850 kg to 1.3 tons today, a result of the addition of equipment, such as power steering, air conditioning and electric windows, the addition of insulation materials, and especially safety.
The first Golf had disc brakes in front, the current one has, as is customary today, 6 airbags, body collapse zones in an accident and a variety of active safety systems.
There is no quantitative figure for your chance of surviving an accident between the two models, but the gap is huge.
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The driver's environment 1974. What are touch screens (and climate control and airbags)?/Volkswagen
So what changed in the facelift?
The 1.5 liter engine has disappeared from the supply according to the manufacturer's announcement, and the 1.5 liter engine comes in two versions, with 115 and 150 hp, as today, in the more advanced version that has already been launched at T Rock, with the ability to travel longer on 2 cylinders instead 4, and with a mild hybrid system. The same engine comes out in the new flagship version, with a 19.7 kWh battery instead of 10.9, and an official range of 100 km, the same unit launched with the new Skoda Superb and Kodiak. Power: 204 hp.
There is also an option for a 204 hp gasoline turbo, and one 2 liter turbo diesel engine in two power versions, 115 and 150 hp.
The 2-liter turbo gasoline engine of the Golf GTI received an increase of 20 hp, to 265 hp, and for the first time since the model was born in 1976, it will only be offered with a 7-speed dual-clutch robotic box, without the option of a manual box.
The design changes are negligible: the manufacturer's emblem in front now includes LED lighting so that even at night they know you drive a Volkswagen, there are also new bumpers and rims.
The passenger compartment has received more significant improvements, with a step back and a better interface: under the central screen, 10.9 or 12.9 inches there are now physical operation buttons, and also on the steering wheel there are some instead of touch pads.
Less impressive in the showroom, more accurate and useful when driving.
There is also an updated voice operation system that will soon also receive ChatGPT technology for further improvement of the voice interface and communication with the Internet.
And more: the renewed Golf will be able to be parked by remote control in crowded parking lots, with the driver standing outside the car.
The Golf 8.5 will arrive in Israel in the last quarter of the year.
Will the electric Golf of 2027 continue the evolution, or will it invent a new design?
Don't hold your breath/Volkswagen
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