Autofocus: 2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI

Volkswagen marks the 50th milestone of its iconic Golf series, which commenced series production in Wolfsburg back in March 1974. Since then, over 37 million units have rolled off the assembly line, signifying a remarkable achievement in automotive history. This translates to an astonishing average of over 2,000 new Golf purchases every day across the globe for half a century. Undoubtedly, this compact marvel stands as the epitome of European automotive success, reigning as Volkswagen’s all-time best-selling model. Now, Volkswagen unveils the latest chapter in the Golf’s illustrious journey, showcasing a groundbreaking world premiere. Featuring an entirely new infotainment system and a cutting-edge plug-in hybrid drive, this iteration promises to redefine excellence in the Golf lineage. Enthusiasts can anticipate the arrival of this pinnacle model, representing the culmination of 50 years of innovation, in dealerships come spring 2024.

Six equipment lines at the launch

Volkswagen is gearing up to unveil the new Golf and Golf Variant, offering an array of options to cater to diverse preferences. Kicking off the lineup is the entry-level Golf, succeeded by the Life variant offering a balanced blend of features. For those seeking elegance, the Style trim awaits, while the R-Line caters to enthusiasts craving sporty sophistication. Notably, the Volkswagen Golf GTE and Volkswagen Golf GTI retain their distinct identities within the product range.

Diving into powertrain options, the Golf range presents a comprehensive selection. Initial offerings include two plug-in hybrid drives (eHybrid and GTE), complemented by two mild hybrid setups featuring 48 V technology (eTSI). Additionally, customers can choose from four turbocharged petrol engines (TSI) and two turbocharged diesel engines (TDI), ensuring a powertrain suited to every driving style.

Excitement mounts with the impending arrival of elite performers such as the Golf GTI Clubsport, Golf R, and Golf Variant R, slated for the latter half of 2024, with R models boasting 4MOTION all-wheel drive. Furthermore, 2025 promises the debut of all-wheel-drive versions equipped with TSI engines, expanding the Golf’s capabilities.

Across the lineup, a newly developed infotainment system generation awaits, enhancing connectivity and user experience. Illuminated controls for the automatic air conditioning system add a touch of sophistication, while new LED headlights and tail light clusters elevate both aesthetics and functionality, ensuring every Golf model embodies the pinnacle of automotive excellence.

Exterior with a new light design

The enhanced Golf models boast a refreshed exterior with newly designed LED headlights, updated LED taillight clusters, and a revised front bumper, setting them apart with distinctive visual cues. The LED headlights feature sleeker lines, delivering a more striking appearance as they taper inward. Offering a premium touch, an optional configuration level introduces performance headlights, a first for Europe, featuring an illuminated Volkswagen badge along with a horizontal LED strip in the radiator grille. The illuminated badge, encased in fine light contours, introduces a novel Volkswagen light design, enhancing the vehicle’s presence on the road.

Another lighting innovation comes in the form of the IQ.LIGHT LED matrix headlights, available as a second optional configuration. These headlights feature an advanced LED main beam with a remarkable range of up to 500 meters, surpassing conventional main beam headlights. Paired with the IQ.LIGHT LED matrix headlights are the newly developed 3D LED tail light clusters, offering customizable welcome and goodbye effects via the vehicle settings in the infotainment system. Owners can choose from three different effects to personalize their driving experience further.

New colors and new wheel rims

Expanding the palette of choices, Volkswagen introduces four new paint colors for the Golf lineup: Crystal Ice Blue Metallic, Anemone Blue Metallic, Oyster Silver Metallic, and Grenadilla Black Metallic. For those seeking added flair, a black-painted roof is now offered as an option for the R-Line, GTE, and GTI variants. Furthermore, the selection of alloy wheels grows with the addition of five new designs, ranging up to 19 inches in size.

Inside, the Golf’s cabin receives a technological overhaul with all-new infotainment systems. Built upon the fourth-generation modular infotainment system (MIB4), these systems boast updated hardware and software, resulting in improved functionality and ease of use. Enhanced graphics and a revamped menu structure on the touch display contribute to a more intuitive user experience. Customers can choose between two 16:9 display formats: the Ready 2 Discover variant features a 26.4 cm (10.4 inches) diagonal touchscreen, while the top-of-the-line Discover version boasts a larger 32.8 cm (12.9 inches) display. The new tablet-style displays are visually striking, appearing free-standing within the dashboard. Additionally, touch sliders for temperature and volume control have been redesigned for improved ergonomics and illumination. For added convenience, a windscreen head-up display remains available as an optional feature for both the Golf and Golf Variant models.

The infotainment display in detail

The new MIB4 systems introduce a user-friendly interface designed to streamline operation. At the heart of this interface is a newly developed menu structure, featuring a screen divided into two touch bars at the top and bottom, flanking an expansive home screen in the middle. This layout enhances accessibility and efficiency for the driver.

Starting with the top bar, users benefit from a dedicated direct access button on the far left, granting instant access to the main menu showcasing all available apps. Adjacent to this is a stylized vehicle button for the Car Control Centre, providing quick access to essential vehicle functions without interrupting the current app. Further to the right, additional direct access functions can be personalized, such as driving modes, parking features, assist systems, and media library controls. These customizable features ensure that frequently used functions are readily accessible for seamless navigation.

In the central home screen, users can customize graphic tiles of various sizes to display content from essential apps. Whether it’s navigation, radio settings, or innovative features like visualized instructions from the IDA voice assistant, users can tailor the home screen to their preferences, ensuring quick access to the most relevant information.

Completing the interface is the bottom bar, offering permanent direct access to critical functions such as the air conditioning system and seat air conditioning. Additionally, the home button provides a convenient shortcut, allowing users to return to the central home screen at any point during operation. Together, these elements contribute to a highly intuitive and efficient user experience, enhancing the overall enjoyment of the driving environment.

Customizable Digital Cockpit Pro

Standard in the new Golf models are advanced digital instruments known as the Digital Cockpit Pro, boasting a generous display diagonal of 26 cm (10.2 inches). With corresponding buttons on the multifunction steering wheel, drivers can configure two distinct basic graphic setups, known as information profiles: Classic, featuring traditional round instruments, and Progressive, employing modern display tiles.

Within these configurations, users have the flexibility to assign various information panels between the round instruments or tiles, such as navigation route guidance or displays from the assist systems. Additionally, the areas within the round instruments and tiles can be customized to showcase diverse information, catering to individual preferences and driving needs.

Furthermore, the Golf R-Line, Golf GTI, and Golf GTE models offer specific information profiles tailored to their respective characteristics, ensuring a personalized and immersive driving experience for enthusiasts of each variant.

Better parking

An exciting addition to the Golf and Golf Variant is the Park Assist Pro, revolutionizing parking maneuvers. With this system, drivers can effortlessly navigate into and out of parking spaces using their smartphone. Operating from outside the vehicle, the driver commands the parking procedure via their smartphone, while the Golf autonomously steers, brakes, and accelerates within predefined parameters, ensuring precise parking every time.

In addition to Park Assist Pro, the Golf models now feature the innovative Area View system. By seamlessly integrating footage from four cameras, this system generates a comprehensive 360-degree all-around view, providing drivers with enhanced visibility of their surroundings. The resulting panoramic image is seamlessly transmitted to the infotainment system touchscreen, empowering drivers with greater confidence and control during maneuvers in tight spaces or challenging environments.

Six equipment packages in the launch phase

The Golf and Golf Variant lineup will encompass an array of offerings, ranging from the entry-level variant to higher equipment specifications including Life, Style, and R-Line models. This diverse lineup ensures that customers have access to a wide spectrum of equipment levels and powertrain options, meeting various preferences and requirements synonymous with the Golf brand.

At the heart of these models lies an economical four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, enhanced with Active Cylinder Management (ACTplus) technology, serving as the standard engine across the range. This efficient powertrain choice underscores Volkswagen’s commitment to delivering both performance and fuel efficiency without compromising on driving dynamics.

For enthusiasts seeking a more spirited driving experience, the sporty Volkswagen Golf GTE and Volkswagen Golf GTI models offer distinct positioning and powertrain options, catering to drivers who crave exhilarating performance combined with iconic Golf design and engineering excellence.

Entry-level version – Golf

The entry-level Volkswagen Golf model comes generously equipped with an impressive array of features aimed at enhancing comfort, convenience, and safety. These include:

• Automatic climate control (Climatronic) for personalized interior temperature management.
• Enhanced multifunction steering wheel for intuitive control of various vehicle functions.
• Keyless locking and starting system (Keyless Access) for added convenience and security.
• Dynamic Road Sign Display to keep drivers informed of important traffic signs and regulations.
• Cruise control system for effortless long-distance driving.
• Park Assist at the front and rear, facilitating stress-free parking maneuvers.
• The new infotainment system (basic version) for seamless connectivity and entertainment options.
• Wireless App-Connect, allowing wireless integration of smartphone apps with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
• Mobile phone interface for hands-free communication and access to essential smartphone functions.
• Digital Cockpit providing customizable digital instrument displays for enhanced driver information.
• New LED headlights and LED tail light clusters for improved visibility and safety on the road.

These features collectively ensure that even the base model of the Golf offers a premium driving experience, setting a high standard in its class.

Medium level – Life

Moving up to the Golf Life equipment level, drivers can expect a host of additional features and refinements, further enhancing comfort, convenience, and style. These include:

• Chrome package for a sleek and sophisticated exterior appearance.
• Exterior mirrors with memory function, allowing personalized settings for different drivers.
• Wireless charging for smartphones, ensuring devices stay powered up without the hassle of cables.
• Exterior surround lighting for enhanced visibility and ambiance when entering or exiting the vehicle.
• Interior three-color background lighting, creating a welcoming and customizable atmosphere within the cabin.
• Comfort seats with lumbar support at the front, providing ergonomic support during long drives.
• Leather multifunction steering wheel for a luxurious feel and enhanced grip.
• Adaptive cruise control (ACC), offering convenience and safety by automatically adjusting the vehicle’s speed to maintain a safe distance from the car ahead.
• Standard 16-inch alloy wheels, combining style and performance to complement the Golf’s dynamic design.

With these additional features, the Golf Life equipment level elevates the driving experience, offering a blend of luxury, technology, and practicality for discerning drivers.

Top-of-the-line versions – Style and R-Line

Prospective buyers of the new Golf and Golf Variant can opt for two top-of-the-line versions, each with its own distinct positioning: Style and R-Line.

The elegant Golf Style boasts a refined exterior featuring 17-inch alloy wheels, bespoke bumpers in Style design with chrome accents, and performance headlights accompanied by an illuminated Volkswagen logo at the front. Inside, the cabin exudes luxury with sports comfort seats upholstered in ArtVelours covers, offering electric 14-way adjustment for the driver’s seat and enhanced by 30-color background lighting. Completing the standard equipment package is a rear-view camera system (Rear View), ensuring convenient maneuvering and parking assistance.

In contrast, the sporty Golf R-Line exhibits a dynamic exterior characterized by distinctive bumpers in R-Line design and numerous elements in high-gloss black, including the side sill trims. Accentuating its athletic stance are black 17-inch alloy wheels featuring diamond-cut outer surfaces. Inside, the R-Line variant boasts a leather multifunction sports steering wheel with shift function (for automatic dual-clutch gearbox versions), driving profile selection, and premium sports seats upholstered in R-Line fabric seat covers, enhancing both aesthetics and driving experience.

With these top-of-the-line versions, Volkswagen offers buyers the choice between refined elegance with the Golf Style and dynamic sportiness with the Golf R-Line, catering to diverse tastes and preferences.

Compact sports cars – GTE and GTI…

The Volkswagen Golf GTE has long been closely associated with the Golf GTI, and in the latest evolutionary versions, both models continue to share key design elements, particularly at the front. Both models feature the GT-specific front design, characterized by a large honeycomb radiator grille in the bumper, flanked by prominent air guides and a front spoiler reminiscent of motorsports splitters. Another distinguishing feature is the colored stripe above the new headlights, traditionally red for the Golf GTI and blue for the Golf GTE.

However, the differences between the two models become apparent at the rear. The Golf GTI sports round chrome-plated tailpipes on the left and right of the black diffuser, while the Golf GTE, primarily driven electrically in everyday use, features an elegant chrome strip above the diffuser in place of tailpipes. Both models come standard with 17-inch Richmond alloy wheels.

Inside, both the VW Golf GTI and Golf GTE boast premium sports seats adorned in the iconic check pattern, accompanied by a leather multifunction sports steering wheel. While the Golf GTI incorporates red stitching, edging on the front head restraints, and a center steering wheel clip, the Golf GTE opts for blue accents (with the steering wheel stitching in black). Other standard features shared by both models include a gear knob with aluminum surround, 30-color background lighting, a three-zone Climatronic system, and the large Discover top-of-the-line infotainment system.

Additionally, the Golf GTI offers optional interior applications in genuine carbon fiber for the first time, further accentuating its sporty and dynamic character.