Volkswagen won’t develop a brand new technology Golf with a combustion engine after the present mannequin reaches the top of its lifecycle.

The present, eighth-generation Golf will get a complete replace subsequent yr. “That places it in a terrific place till the top of the last decade. Then we must see how the section develops,” VW model boss Thomas Schaefer instructed Automotive Information Europe sister publication Automobilwoche.

“If the world develops fully in another way than anticipated by 2026 or 2027, then we will additionally launch a totally new automobile once more. However I do not anticipate that to occur. To this point, that is not deliberate,” Schaefer mentioned.

The Golf has been in manufacturing since 1974 and its title will likely be retained for a battery-electric automobile.

“It is clear that we are going to not be giving up iconic names like Golf, Tiguan and GTI, however will likely be transferring them to the electrical world,” Schaefer mentioned. “However with the Golf particularly, it has to suit the genes. Simply calling any automobile that does not work. We can’t make that mistake,” he added.

There won’t be an electrical Golf till there are actually Golf genes in it — akin to a flatter roof in comparison with the ID3 full-electric compact hatchback. That won’t be till 2028 on the earliest, Schaefer mentioned, when VW launches its new SSP electrical platform.

The VW model will solely produce full-electric vehicles in Europe from 2033, Schaefer has beforehand mentioned.