The upcoming Mk. 8.5 Volkswagen Golf, an eighth-generation facelift, will be released in 2024, as confirmed by the automaker’s CEO, Thomas Schaefer. In an interview with the Spanish edition of Auto Bild, Schaefer stated that the update is scheduled for 2024 and that this would be the final iteration of the Golf with an internal combustion engine.
The CEO emphasized that the next Golf model must be an electric vehicle, reflecting the industry’s shift towards electrification. This news applies not just to the standard Golf, but also to the high-performance R variant. The announcement of the Golf’s electrification came during the 2022 LA Auto Show, signaling the end of an era for the combustion-powered Golf.
The upcoming facelift of the Volkswagen Golf is expected to bring minor changes, with hopes for the return of physical buttons to the steering wheel, though this has not been confirmed yet.
The CEO had earlier stated that the current Golf GTI and R will receive a software update, with a new system launching in 2025. However, Volkswagen may bring back physical controls before 2025.
The 2.0-liter turbocharged engine in the GTI and R models is expected to see efficiency improvements and a slight increase in power. The electric versions of these models will be much more powerful with the aim of matching the performance of their predecessors. The next-gen electric platform will have more horsepower, but the focus will be on acceleration.
Additionally, the first electric R-branded vehicle is expected to arrive next year under the ID banner.
