Volkswagen has offered an early glimpse of the anticipated 2025 VW Golf facelift, unveiling a camouflaged prototype through a series of high-definition spy shots. While the official debut is scheduled for the end of the month, these images showcase significant interior and exterior enhancements that address critiques of the current Mk8 model.
The interior transformation is immediately evident, transitioning from a relatively small infotainment system embedded in the upper dashboard to a larger tablet-style display. Drawing inspiration from recent VW models such as the ID.7, revised ID.4, and the new Euro-market Passat and Tiguan, the revised display promises a more logical interface and user-friendly heater controls. A noteworthy improvement is the reintroduction of old-fashioned physical buttons on the steering wheel, a response to criticisms of the Mk8's touch-sensitive steering wheel buttons, known for accidental activations during regular driving.
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On the exterior, the 2025 Golf receives a subtle makeover with new lights and bumpers. The front bumpers showcase hockey-stick-shaped body-color elements, creating a distinctive appearance that has been likened to a crab shoveling mini sea critters into its mouth. The rear spoiler resembles the Euro-market Clubsport, while the 19-inch Estoril rims, optional on lower-rung GTIs and standard on North America's 380, complete the refreshed aesthetic.
Accompanying the visual updates, the 2025 Golf promises a more intuitive and user-friendly infotainment system, addressing concerns raised about the current layout. The incorporation of the latest ChatGPT infotainment technology, showcased at CES in Las Vegas, underlines VW's commitment to innovative in-car experiences. This technology is expected to be integrated into select Volkswagen models later in 2024.
While powertrain details for the Mk8.5 have not been disclosed, expectations for the GTI variant include retaining the reliable 2.0-liter turbo-four engine. Anticipated to surpass the 241 hp delivered by the current base model, it may align with the 261 hp found in the 2.0-liter Tiguan. Despite the exciting upgrades, the stick-shift option, unfortunately, faces discontinuation in Europe and won't be available for U.S. cars beyond the 2024 model year.