THE ICONIC VOLKSWAGEN GOLF WILL BECOME ‘more Golf’ than ever when the upgraded Mark 8.5 generation arrives in Australia in April – with more technology, more luxury and more power for GTI and R flagship versions.
The new Golf Life opens the range with comprehensive equipment including 17-inch alloys, front and rear parking sensors, Park Assist, rear view camera, LED headlights with Light Assist, keyless entry and alarm, surround lighting, leather-wrapped steering wheel, single-zone climate control air conditioning, 10.3-inch infotainment, DAB+ digital radio, more powerful ventilated wireless smartphone charging and wireless App-Connect as standard.
Elements that make Golf the clear quality leader, and which several other competitors have long ignored, remain – including carpeted door pockets, multi-tier adjustable centre armrest, vanity mirror lights and rear air vents.
Volkswagen’s advanced Travel Assist incorporating adaptive cruise control and Lane Assist, as well as Front Assist with pedestrian and cyclist detection, and Side Assist with rear cross-traffic alert, is also standard.
New to the range, the luxurious Golf Style delivers on the promise of the former Golf Highline seen in the Mark 7/7.5 generation – with significant enhancements.
The Style includes 18-inch alloy wheels with chrome exterior highlights, dark tinted privacy glass and LED Plus headlights. Inside, the larger and new 12.9-inch infotainment screen includes embedded navigation and IDA voice assistance, while 30 colour ambient lighting complements luxurious seating – ErgoActive 14-way electric driver’s seat with memory and ArtVelours microfleece upholstery throughout the five-person cabin seating.
Style customers can also option a panoramic sunroof and a Sound & Vision package incorporating Harman/Kardon premium audio, head-up display and for the first time on a Golf – Area View 360-degree camera.
The popular Golf R-Line continues, with the availability of the above sunroof and Sound & Vision pack.
R-Line features include 18-inch alloy wheels, driving profile selection including Sport mode, progressive steering for sharper responses, R-Line exterior and interior styling including front sports seats, plus newly standard Vienna leather appointed upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and electric driver’s seat with memory.
Golf Life, Style and R-Line continue with the refined and torque-laden 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with 250Nm and 110kW of power, linked to a smooth eight-speed automatic transmission.
Often accounting for more than half of Volkswagen Golf sales, the performance-focused GTI and R icons step up in 2025 with more features and more power.
The do-everything hot hatchback became even sharper and more focused with the Mark 8 generation, and the GTI further enhances this incredible bandwidth with revised steering and Adaptive Chassis Control (DCC Pro), plus 15kW extra.
Now with 195kW and 370Nm of torque, the 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol Golf GTI includes a new 19-inch alloy wheel and tyre package as standard, replacing the previous 18s.
New 12.9-inch infotainment is standard, along with metallic paint, fog lights, new Park Assist Plus, tri-zone climate control, LED Plus headlights and 30 colour ambient lighting.
Panoramic sunroof has been separated from the previous Luxury Package as a stand-alone option, allowing customers to select the iconic ‘tartan’ cloth interior with sunroof for the first time.
Conversely, the newly introduced Leather Package featuring Vienna leather, electric driver’s seat and heated and ventilated front seats can be specified without a sunroof.
The Sound & Vision package adds Area View 360-degree camera for the first time, in addition to Harman/Kardon premium audio and head-up display.
The flagship Volkswagen Golf R also steps up with 245kW as standard for the first time, up 10kW on the outgoing series production R.
LED Matrix headlights, premium LED tail-lights, Nappa leather, electric driver’s seat with memory, heated and ventilated front seats, Harman/Kardon audio, Area View and 19-inch alloy wheels ensure the Golf R blends the ultimate in features, technology, performance and handling like no other hot hatch.
A torque vectoring rear-wheel axle joins Sport ESC, Special modes such as Nürburgring (usable on road and track) and Drift (track only) modes.
The Golf R Black Edition will also feature alongside the regular R, with brooding dark accents throughout.
Volkswagen Passenger Vehicles head of marketing and product Nathan Johnson said the latest Volkswagen Golf continues a long pedigree with enhancements that place it further ahead of rivals.
“When customers drive the latest Golf, they will see that it looks, feels and drives like a Volkswagen small car that embodies a long line of class-leading attributes – quality, refinement, technology, ride comfort and efficiency,” Mr Johnson said.
“The Golf GTI takes a significant step up with sharper handling and greater performance in a classic front-wheel drive hot hatchback, while the Golf R proves that genuine luxury and maximum handling alacrity can coexist.”
The Volkswagen Golf, Golf GTI and Golf R will launch in Australia in April.