By Otsile Kadiege

This year marks the Volkswagen Golf’s 50th anniversary. Production of the first-ever Golf started many moons ago in March 1974. Since then, the Golf nameplate has been very successful, selling more than 37 million units. Purely in mathematical terms, this means that over 2,000 people around the world have opted to buy a new Golf every single day over the last 50 years.

The latest 8th generation Volkswagen Golf GTI debuted in February 2020 and only came to our shores in October 2022 due to Covid restrictions, chip shortages etc. Volkswagen gave the Mark 8 Golf GTI a nip and tuck sprucing up its exterior design, giving its interior a much needed tech update and adding more power to its engine.

Exterior design and styling updates 

Outside, the facelifted Volkswagen Golf 8 GTI sports subtle yet noticeable exterior updates. These include striking and narrow headlights with standard LED technology. Customers can opt for performance LED headlights in a first optional configuration level. This will include a light-strip and a newly added illuminated ‘VW’ badge on the grille. Another lighting highlight is the second optional configuration level of the LED systems: the latest version of the IQ.Light LED matrix headlights – also with an illuminated Volkswagen badge.

The package of optional IQ.Light LED matrix headlights includes the newly developed 3D LED taillight clusters, whose welcome and goodbye effects can be customised in the vehicle settings. Other noteworthy features include a redesigned front bumper, four new body colours, namely Crystal Ice Blue Metallic, Anemone Blue Metallic, Oyster Silver Metallic and Grenadilla Black Metallic as well as newly designed wheels.

Interior design and tech updates

Inside, the very first thing you’ll notice is a large, driver-focused touch display measuring 10.4- to 12.9-inches. It’s running on the fourth-generation modular infotainment system (MIB4) which Volkswagen claims has improved operation thanks to brand-new graphics and a new menu structure for the touch display. Touch sliders for the temperature and volume control have been newly developed; they are said to be more ergonomic to use and are illuminated.

Other new features include physical buttons on the sporty multifunctional steering wheel, replacing the often difficult to operate capacitive buttons, an advanced Digital Cockpit Pro measuring 10.2-inches with model-specific information display and an optional head-up display.

Performance

Volkswagen says they’ve made the Golf GTI more sportier and also uprated the 2.0-litre EA888 four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine’s power. The German automaker is mum on exact figures. That said, more power is always welcomed.

Availability

Volkswagen South Africa is yet to confirm local availability of the updated GTI. The more potent Golf 8 R facelift will debut in 2025.