Reports from Germany suggest the Volkswagen Golf currently on the market could be the last with an internal combustion engine as the company will focus on electric vehicles.
However, the Golf name won’t be completely lost even if it comes with an electric powertrain. However, in an interview with Autocar, Volkswagen Passenger Car CEO Thomas Schäfer said, “We’re not going to drop the Golf name, no way.”
Schäfer explains, “We have iconic brand names, Golf and GTI. It was crazy to let them die and get away with it. ” However, the name is likely still used for models with electric powertrains because “there is a connection with VW and ID”, so the next generation model has the potential to become “ID”. Golf.”
Of course, the question is what about the ID.3, which is in a similar segment to the Golf. Schäfer contends there’s room for both models to be sold alongside one another as the ID. 3 has “never been a successor to the Golf, it is more a Golf Plus.” For those unfamiliar with the model, the Golf Plus was a larger MPV-like vehicle that was built between 2004 and 2014, and was replaced by the Golf Sportsvan..
The theoretical ID. Golf could slot beneath the ID. 3, while theID. Golf GTI and, presumed, ID. Golf R would appeal to enthusiasts.
Volkswagen itself is working on a facelifted Golf and the eighth-generation model is expected to remain on sale for another five or six years.
Longtime fans may be disappointed at the thought of an electric Golf GTI. Although it is inevitable as the European Union will ban the sale of new passenger vehicles with internal combustion engines from 2035.
