Volkswagen’s iconic Golf hatchback celebrates its fiftieth anniversary in 2024, and the automaker has marked the event with the launch of a serious replace for the present eighth-generation mannequin, which was revealed late on Tuesday.

The updates span the total Golf vary however as soon as once more the U.S. will solely obtain the sporty Golf GTI and Golf R grades. They’re due as 2025 fashions however precise timing for his or her arrival at dealerships hasn’t been introduced. In different markets gross sales will begin this spring.

The 2025 Golf R continues to be out testing, however VW offered solely the 2025 Golf GTI on Tuesday. Like the remainder of the Golf vary, the up to date GTI advantages from revised styling, elevated commonplace gear, a brand new infotainment system, and improved digital driver-assist know-how.

The outside modifications are restricted to revised fascia designs at each ends. The wide-mouth look of the present GTI stays, however with a flatter design for the highest of the mouth and a revised mesh sample. On the rear, there is a revised diffuser design and a brand new design for the exhaust ideas, which characteristic chrome accents. The headlights have additionally been revised and have matrix LED know-how. In some markets, the VW badge on the entrance can be illuminated.

Inside, there is a revised sprint sporting a a lot bigger infotainment display screen. The Golf vary at current options an 8.3-inch infotainment display screen, however the display screen within the up to date mannequin measures 10.4 inches as commonplace and a 12.9-inch model is accessible. A ten.2-inch display screen serves because the digital gauge cluster, and a head-up show is accessible. The contact sliders for the local weather and quantity management within the present mannequin have additionally been redesigned and are stated by VW to be simpler to make use of. They’re additionally illuminated.

VW says it has additionally make the infotainment system simpler to make use of. For instance, the infotainment display screen encompasses a configurable dwelling web page with an higher bar that can be configurable. The driving force can assign what capabilities are proven in these areas. A decrease bar on the backside additionally options entry to key capabilities, particularly the local weather settings and heating and cooling for the seats, plus a button to return to the house web page. The benefit is that the higher and decrease bars stay continually displayed, offering the motive force with fast entry to key capabilities no matter what menu web page is presently exhibiting in the principle space of the display screen.

VW has additionally improved the voice assistant, which now integrates the favored ChatGPT AI system. It means the voice assistant can now additionally present extra particular info, together with solutions to common data questions, along with dealing with automobile capabilities such because the local weather controls, media, and navigation. Different updates embody a surround-view digicam system and distant parking functionality.

The powertrain within the 2025 GTI is a 2.0-liter turbo-4, similar to within the present mannequin. For Europe, peak energy will increase 15 hp to a complete 262 hp. The present GTI is rated at 241 hp within the U.S. and VW hasn’t stated how a lot the up to date model will provide when it arrives right here.

Drive goes to the entrance wheels through a 7-speed dual-clutch computerized transmission as commonplace. A handbook is not obtainable. VW launched the 2024 Golf GTI 380 particular version final August to mark the top of the run.

There’s additionally no electrical or electrified powertrain possibility within the up to date Golf. Consumers in search of an electrical Golf must wait till the hatchbachk’s subsequent redesign. VW final September confirmed the following Golf will probably be an electrical automobile primarily based on Volkswagen Group’s upcoming SSP modular platform. It means the Golf GTI and Golf R may even doubtless be EVs of their subsequent iterations, so followers higher begin getting ready to bid farewell to the concept of a fuel engine in these vehicles. They’ve a while, because the SSP platform will not be prepared till round 2028.