Is the new Volkswagen Golf the last ever?

Today, the eighth generation of one of the most popular cars in the world of Volkswagen Golf is presented to the public. While Volkswagen is currently focusing heavily on electric models, the Golf still holds a key position in the brand's offering. How has it changed? And does he still have a chance to retain the title of compact king?

The compact car segment has always been the most difficult field to deal with competition. Another 20 years ago Golf to a large extent, it always, with each subsequent generation, is far ahead of other players in the market, in recent years it has been seen that competition is strongly on its heels. Golf updated as often as possible, but the latest generation should set trends again. And, in my opinion, he has a chance of success, although, probably, not everyone will be satisfied ...

What is golf, can everyone see?

While the first glance at Volkswagen Golf VIII this does not indicate a change in concept, but the changes are clearly visible from the outside. First of all, the front of the car has become thinner. The new LED headlight design with IQ.LIGHT intelligent lighting technology distinguishes this generation. Golf compared to their predecessors. The line of daytime running lights is connected to each other by a chrome line on the grille, and is also decorated with an updated Volkswagen emblem. The lower parts of the bumper have also been updated and redesigned, giving the front of the car a more dynamic yet lighter look.

The hood has a fairly clear, symmetrical ribbing on both sides, thanks to which the low-set front of the mask visually quickly gains height, harmoniously merging with the windshield.

In the profile Volkswagen Golf it reminds of itself most of all - regular lines, discreet sculptures that add variety to the door surfaces, and a smoothly falling roof line behind the B-pillar. The stance looks wider than before, and this impression is enhanced by the rounded rear end of the vehicle. The new design of the rear bumper has changed a lot, which (like the front one) looks most characteristic in the R-line version. Of course, the rear lights are made using LED technology. Writing "Golf"Directly branded Volkswagen, which is used to open the tailgate and also serves as a storage compartment for the rear view camera, which slides out from under it when shifting into reverse gear.

The interior of the new Golf is an absolute revolution.

When I first opened the door new golfI have to say that I got quite a shock. At first, it should have been calm - the first thing that catches your eye is the latest steering wheel used in Volkswagen, similar to the famous one from the Passat - of course, with a new badge. There is a brand new Digital Cocpit digital clock displayed on a 10,25 inch screen which has a very high resolution. There was also a color projection display. The first radical novelty - car light control - the iconic knob disappeared forever, in its place - air conditioning. On the other hand, the light control panel (as well as rear window heating and maximum front airflow) was placed at the clock level. Forget buttons, it's a touchpad.

Another surprise in the interior new volkswagen golf – Widescreen display with a diagonal (suddenly) 10 inches with completely new graphics. Most of the control logic, especially the IQ.DRIVE security system, is taken from the recently introduced Passat, but the system menu itself resembles smartphone support, which in my opinion is graphically closest to the slightly forgotten Windows Phone operating system. The location of the icons is customizable with almost no restrictions, and if you are not a fan of screen fingering (which in principle cannot be avoided), you can Golf… talk. “Hey Volkswagen!is a command that launches a voice assistant that will raise our temperature inside, plan a route for the whole day, find the nearest gas station or restaurant. Not a flashy novelty, but it's good that Volkswagen I felt that drivers like such solutions.

Physical buttons and knobs w new volkswagen golf it's like a medicine. Air conditioning, seat heating and even navigation can only be controlled through the screen or touch pads located just below it. Below the screen is a tiny island with a few buttons, as well as an alarm button.

The interior of the new Golf it is minimalistic and multimedia at the same time. From a driver's point of view. At the rear there is a third air conditioning zone and heated outer rear seats (optional), and the amount of space is definitely not satisfactory - Golf it's still a classic compact, but four 190cm tall people can go over 100km together.

Intelligent safety - the new Volkswagen Golf

Volkswagen Golf eighth generation it is unlikely to become an autonomous car, but thanks to the many systems united under the slogan IQ DRIVE for example, it is able to move semi-autonomously in city traffic, off-road and even on the motorway up to a speed of 210 km/h. Of course, you need to keep your hands on the steering wheel, which has tactile pressure sensors. Multimedia new golf this is not only a pleasant interface for the infotainment system, but also online services, communication with other vehicles within a radius of almost a kilometer from the location of the car (to avoid collisions, traffic jams or overtaking an ambulance approaching from afar), as well as saving an individual driver profile in the cloud - if we rent Golf on the other side of the world, we can quickly download our own settings from the cloud and feel at home in a foreign car.

There are no major changes under the hood of the new Volkswagen Golf.

The first important information about the powertrain lineup is that there will be no new e-Golf. Volkswagen electric compact must be ID.3. under the hood Golf on the other hand, there are one liter TSI petrol engines (90 or 110 hp, three cylinders), one and a half liters (130 and 150 hp, four cylinders) and a two-liter TDI diesel engine with 130 or 150 hp . No one will be surprised by the presence of a plug-in hybrid version that combines a 1.4 TSI engine with an electric motor, which in symbiosis produce 204 or 245 hp. (a more powerful version would be called GTE). All powertrains must be cleaner and more fuel efficient to meet stringent emission regulations.

As for the stronger options, that is, the well-known and popular GTI, GTD or R, then you don’t have to worry - they will definitely appear, although specific dates have not yet been disclosed.

The new Volkswagen Golf is more for beginners than for the faithful

In my opinion new golf above all, he keeps pace with the latest trends, and in some matters is even able to set new trends. The highly multimedia and austere interior is sure to appeal to young drivers brought up in the era of smartphones and tablets. However, I am not sure that they have been faithful drivers for decades. Golfpeople who change from generation to generation will feel at ease in this interior. Indeed, do they even have a chance to find themselves in it?

All fans of analog clocks, knobs, knobs and buttons are likely to be disappointed. However, in my opinion, Volkswagen, having presented such an eighth generation Golf, clearly showed that we are keeping up with the times.

Will this concept be protected? The clients decide about it. This Golf it's true new golf. Modern yet recognizable by its classic lines. Multimedia yet still practical and intuitive to use. And if this is the last Golf in history (there is a good chance of this, looking at the policy of total electrification of the brand in the near future), this is a worthy culmination of the history of the automotive icon. Most importantly, the biggest emotions (GTD, GTI, R) are yet to come!