Latest news with #Mk8.5
The Citizen
14-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Volkswagen Golf 8.5 1.4 TSI asks ‘why want a GTI, R or an SUV?'
Facelift Golf 8.5 debuts with the 'plain' TSI, which excels in such a way but comes at a price many will see as beyond steep for a 'garden variety' Golf. Plain Jane Golf has returned to South Africa in a manner that questions why a comparative Tiguan is needed. Image: Hanro Venter The year 2024 marked a milestone for Volkswagen as it celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Golf replacing the Beetle in Europe. Carefully studied return An achievement in itself considering its once staple hatch's relegation to a niche player amidst the popularity of crossovers and SUVs, the Golf's fiftieth marked a surprise for South Africa as it saw Wolfsburg announce the return of the 'normal' derivative for the first time since the end of Mk 7.5 production in 2019. Left from the troubled and much criticised Mk 8 Golf line-up that only had the GTI and R in South Africa, the approval of the facelift Mk 8.5 came with its own concerns, apart from reintroducing a variant that never sold in the same numbers as the hot versions in the first place. ALSO READ: Golf 8.5 1.4 TSI shines in the absence of GTI and R derivatives A decision Wolfsburg had most likely examined carefully, as neither the Mk 8.5 GTI nor the R are anticipated to arrive before 2027 due to South Africa's poor fuel quality, the arrival of the non-sporting Golf 8.5 also raised the issue of cost. While the still available eighth generation GTI and R can be argued as warranting their admittedly eye-watering R853 400 and R1 016 600 price tags, a decidedly un-Golf-like price for a model no longer expected to sell in huge numbers, probably didn't go unworried when the wraps came off at Wolfsburg's annual product Indaba at its plant in Kariega in the Eastern Cape in February. Part of the Golf 8.5's facelift involves new light clusters seemingly modelled on that of the Golf 7.5. Image: Hanro Venter A line-up spanning four models, all powered by the stalwart 1.4 TSI engine, which doesn't have the same particle filter issues as the GTI and R, and is therefore compatible with our low-rent fuel, the Mk 8.5 became the event's showpiece without the pressure of performing as the GTI and R would have needed. Devoid of any sporty aspirations, though still available in R-Line guise, the arrival of the Mk 8.5 for the weeklong stay initially came as a head scratcher as to which derivative had been supplied. Golf what? Initially thought to be an R-Line instead of the range-topping R-Line+, based on the 18-inch alloy wheels fitted, the unit's lack of certain features eventually identified it as the Life+, which sits above the range-opening Life. Fitted with a size wheel, bizarrely not listed as an option on Volkswagen's website, the loss of the sporty attire and aesthetic changes from the Mk 8 works in the Mk 8.5's favour to the point where the former simply isn't needed in spite of its popularity on the Polo and Tiguan. Finished in Grenadilla Black Metallic, the effective middle-of-the-range Golf proved the understated ideal at first glance. No R-Line, GTI or R, no problem Only the second generation Golf after the Mk 7 to be facelifted, hence the '.5' reference, the Mk 8.5's visual changes involve new headlight clusters with standard LEDs, a new front bumper and lower air intake, a restyled bonnet and grille, and the 'must-have' illuminated logo bar and Volkswagen badge. An area seldom covered, the rear fascia has also been revised with new LED light clusters featuring slimmer graphics reminiscent of the Mk 7.5, and the Golf badge is positioned directly below the Volkswagen logo on the boot lid. Press unit sported 18-inch alloy wheels, bizarrely not listed as an option on the Life+. Image: Hanro Venter While admittedly open to subjectivity, the redesign and lack of the R-Line appliqué provides a sharper and cleaner look, minus the flak the Mk 8 received upon its launch in 2019. De-R-Line'd, the Mk 8.5 doesn't fade into the background and frankly, can be seen as a visual success. Massively better inside Opening the door reveals the main area of improvement that copped the biggest backlash of the Mk 8. While still adhering to the minimalist design principle, fit-and-finish has been upgraded, the massively panned touch-sensitive 'buttons' on the steering wheel replaced by much more intuitive physical ones, and the workings of the new 12.9-inch infotainment system with Volkswagen's latest MIB4 software have been massively improved over the previous 10-inch. As standard, all Golf 8.5's get the equally new 10-inch Digital Cockpit instrument cluster, which can be customised to suit preference. Interior has given a massive overhaul and works much better than on the Mk 8. Image: Hanro Venter Carried over, the touch-sensitive buttons for the Park Assist, climate control, drive mode selector and Volkswagen Assist systems around the central hazard light work much better with the infotainment system, although the lack of physical switches will still prove a hindrance for some. Addressing a further query, the touch sliders for the climate control now feature illumination, although accessing the actual interface still requires going into the infotainment system. As mentioned, the process is much better than before and aside from the new display being neatly laid out and much easier to grasp despite appearing the opposite, it came equipped with satellite navigation as part of the optional (R25 500) Discover Pro package. Practicality is typical Golf with a 381-litre boot. Image: Hanro Venter Bar the disappointingly cheap feel of the silver decorative insert on the dashboard, the cabin is an otherwise snug and upmarket place to be, with the same being true of comfort. Besides the standard fitting of a 30-colour ambient lighting system, the test unit also sported the obligatory panoramic sunroof, priced at an additional R19 000. Despite this, intrusion on rear passenger headroom is near obsolete, with legroom being similar in that the rear doesn't feel cramped. Adding to this are a pair of type-C USB ports and separate climate control vents. Boot space reaches 1 237-litres with the rear seats dropped. Image: Hanro Venter Trimmed in what Volkswagen calls Art Velour, the front seats in the Life+ do without electric adjustably or any form of heating and ventilation, yet are still comfortable and with more than enough support. Completing the options list, the test unit also had the impressive nine-speaker Harman Kardon sound system (R14 500), the LED Plus headlights (R11 000), keyless entry (R9 200), the mechanically swivelling tow-bar (R14 000) recessed behind the rear bumper and the I.Q. Drive Package with, among others, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keep Assist, Forward Collision Warning and Travel Assist (R27 500). In typical Golf fashion, the Mk 8.5 doesn't lack for practicality as opening the boot reveals 381-litres of packing space, which increases to 1 237-litres with the 60/40 split rear back folded down. Joys of having a 'working' drivetrain Unsurprisingly, the Golf's main attribute is its feel and refinement, never mind the delivery of the 1.4 TSI engine. Outputting 110kW/250Nm, the unit doesn't feel underpowered and despite the Mk 8.5's comparatively little 1 226 kg kerb mass, pulls strongly in a manner that completely belies its age. At the same time, Volkswagen's replacement of the seven-speed DSG with a conventional eight-speed torque vectoring Tiptronic – still activated by a toggle switch – works equally as well with no low-speed shudder or drag as experienced in the new Tiguan over the December festive season. More than likely a cost-saving measure, the combination works in a slicker fashion, though moments of hesitation still prevail as the 'box tends to become flustered when asked to drop a cog or two suddenly. Although capable of being overridden by the paddle shifters, and despite the selection of Sport mode improving shift quality and response, the majority of buyers are unlikely to see this as a problem compared to what would have been seen as a flaw had it been a GTI or R. The also applies to the ride. Aside from its forgiving nature, the setup strikes an ideal balance between soft and comfortable, but not overly lenient to the point of failing to provide sufficient damping with a sudden surface change. What's more, the steering offers good feedback, which makes the Golf feel nippy and engaging to the point where wanting more, i.e. GTI, doesn't matter. Kept in its default Comfort mode, with Eco and Individual never being selected and Sport on occasion, the seven-day and eventual 579 km stay netted an indicated best fuel consumption figure of 7.2 L/100 km. Admittedly on the high side, and some way off of Volkswagen's optimistic 6.3 L/100 km claim, dipping below seven-litres still appears viable, albeit with considerably more care. Conclusion As largely accomplished and massively improved as the Mk 8.5 Golf is over the Mk 8, the continuing elephant in the room remains its price. Stickered at R604 500, the various options fitted ups the Life+ price tag to a frankly obscene R737 200, or in simple terms, R49 100 more than the top-spec R-Line+ without any extras. Instead of a GTI badge, the Golf nameplate resides underneath the Volkswagen logo on the bootlid. Image: Hanro Venter As daft as this is, the upshots prevail in a feel a comparative Tiguan cannot match, more than enough comfort, refinement and no pressure to perform or live-up to the heritage and hype as expected from a GTI or R. A solid package that will, sadly, only appease die-hard Golf fans not wanting the attention of the latter pair, or the bulkiness of an SUV, the majority of buyers will eventually opt for the return of the plain Golf isn't wasted on one if only for a select few. NOW READ: Volkswagen Golf 8.5 coming to South Africa initially in base spec
West Australian
03-06-2025
- Automotive
- West Australian
2025 Volkswagen Golf R review
The Volkswagen Golf R is more than just a fast hatchback; it's a trailblazing legacy that goes back decades. Since the first-generation Golf R32 debuted back in 2002, the R-badged Golf popularised a new class of compact performance car above that of its GTI hot hatch stablemate, challenging properly fast nameplates for straight-line pace. From the singing six-cylinder originals to the thumping turbocharged fours of more recent iterations, the flagship badge in the Golf lineup has become synonymous with being the consummate high-performance hatch, transcending traditional mainstream and premium segments in terms of both performance and all-round useability. The Golf R embodies this as much as ever in its latest Mk8.5 generation, with performance and technology that rivals vehicles from the Audi S, BMW M Performance and Mercedes-AMG stables at a much more attainable price point. It's hardly cheap at $70,000 before on-road costs, and it's now much closer in price to said premium performance alternatives these days, but it's decked out with all of the latest and greatest creature comforts the German auto giant has to offer, too. From later this year you'll also be able to deck out the Golf R with lightweight factory performance options for the first time on the regular variant – including an Akrapovic titanium exhaust, lightweight forged alloy wheels, and genuine carbon-fibre inlays. So is this still the benchmark hardcore hot hatch for performance enthusiasts? We joined the recent Australian media launch in New South Wales to find out… Base pricing for the updated Golf R has only risen by $400 compared to the last of the Mk8 generation, starting from $70,990 before on-road costs. The Black Edition adds another $1500. That's not all that far off the related Audi S3 (from $78,000) these days, and the latest BMW M135 xDrive (from $83,600) is also within reach. Less so is the Mercedes-AMG A35 (from $89,700), but you get the picture. From the mainstream brands, a Toyota GR Corolla (from $67,990) offers similar turbocharged all-wheel drive performance in an arguably less liveable rally-bred package, while the Honda Civic Type R ($74,100 D/A) is currently out of stock and channels similar grunt to only its front wheels – and is noticeably more track-focused. To see how the Volkswagen Golf lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool We've covered the recent launches of the Mk8.5 Golf and Golf GTI, so there's not much new to report here. Perhaps the biggest difference between them and the R is the fact it doesn't revert to physical multifunction switchgear on the steering wheel – the pesky haptic touch-sensitive buttons remain. They can still be a little fiddly at times, and during more spirited driving stints including on track, I managed to mis-press the heated steering wheel button, as well as the skip track button when cornering. Beyond that it's much the same as the rest of the upgraded Golf range; there are different trims and colours, with distinctive blue highlights scattered throughout the cabin, including on the fine Nappa leather seat upholstery, steering wheel accents or the flutters of blue throughout the in-car displays. The seats themselves are similar to those in the GTI and R-Line, save for the Nappa hide, and the steering wheel is the perforated leather-trimmed sports unit from the GTI with said blue accents and touch controls. Metal mesh-effect trim accents line the dashboard and doors, and you can customise the 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro instrument cluster with some unique R customisation like a racy line-bar tacho with shift lights. Later this year you'll be able to opt for genuine carbon-fibre trim accents as part of the Warmenau package. Centre stage is the new 12.9-inch 'Discover' touchscreen multimedia system, which is larger than the old display while also bringing the latest software interface already seen in the German brand's ID-branded electric models. You score the new IDA voice assistant in addition to the usual navigation, DAB+ digital radio and wireless smartphone mirroring, but the lack of factory connectivity means it isn't quite as intelligent as the internet- and AI-enabled version offered overseas. The wireless Apple CarPlay generally worked without fault when paired with my iPhone 16 Pro Max, though I have experienced the odd dropout when passing under one of Victoria's toll booths in other models with this system. While some of the subbed-in trimmings go a good way to making it feel more upmarket, there haven't been any wholesale changes like in the related Cupra Leon , for example, which will be applying new padded and leather-lined surfaces along the centre console for a more premium ambience. Previous gripes around the touch sliders for temperature and volume have been somewhat addressed with illumination, which helps with useability in low-light situations while also looking more sophisticated, while the hard toolbar at the base of the screen makes it easier to toggle HVAC functions as well as operate the heated front seats. The second row remains one of the most generous in the class, with more than enough room for two adults to sit behind two adults. Head, knee and leg room are all good for the segment, even behind a taller driver like 6'1″ me, though forward visibility past the chunky sports bucket seats might be a challenge for nausea-prone passengers. Niceties include a third zone of climate control with directional vents at the rear of the centre console. Further, the flock-lined door bins continue in the rear to stop bottles rattling around, and there's a fold-down centre armrest with cupholders. You also get the requisite ISOFIX child seat anchor points on the outboard seats, and top-tethers across all three. Additionally, there's a handy ski port – quite European – in case you're needing to stow longer items through from the boot. Speaking of, there's a decent 341 litres of cargo capacity with the rear seats in play, expanding to 1197 litres with them folded. There's an adjustable boot floor to make a load area flat if needed, and the space-saver spare of other Golf variants has been swapped out for a tyre mobility kit. To see how the Volkswagen Golf lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The new Golf R gets the same 'EA888' 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, but compared to the old Australian-spec model it now makes 245kW of power (+10kW) and 420Nm of torque (+20Nm). This aligns our latest Golf R with European specifications, after the previous model was down 20Nm on the global version due to a lack of a petrol particulate filter (PPF). The new model picks up the exhaust filtration system like the European model and therefore gets the full-fat tune. It's also worth noting the new R is now compatible with 95 RON premium unleaded, rather than being restricted to 98-octane fuel like the old car. Further, Volkswagen's 0-100km/h acceleration claim of 4.6 seconds is down 0.2 seconds on the previous model, while the standard R Performance Package fitted to the Australian specification means the Golf R is capable of hitting a top speed of 270km/h. Our observed indicated fuel economy of 10.4-10.7L/100km was achieved on day one of the launch with a mix of B-roads and country highways, including spirited stints. On the following day after a 71km transit leg from the Blue Mountains to Sydney Motorsport Park on mostly highway and freeway, we saw a far more impressive 5.8L/100km. To see how the Volkswagen Golf lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool Let's get to the fun part, shall we? Our drive of the new Golf R and Golf R Black Edition started in Orange, NSW, taking us through the high country to the Blue Mountains for an overnight stay, then to SMP in western Sydney the following morning. Day one was very wet and gloomy, which made for a good test of the Golf R's 4Motion AWD traction on the high-speed roads on our lengthy drive route. As you'd expect, the fast little Volksie was nothing short of excellent. Driving through what can only be described as a torrential downpour for much of the day, the Golf R was unflappable in the wet, even on winding country B-roads with mixed road surface quality accompanied by signed speed limits generally in the realm of 80-100km/h. Even in tighter bends there was little to no understeer or scrabbling for traction when pushed – within reasonable limits given the conditions, of course – giving you the confidence to still drive with intent without feeling like you were anywhere near the limit. We had a few hours behind the wheel of the Golf R Black Edition on day one, providing plenty of time to test out the different modes. Personally, I chose to cycle between Special (Nurburgring) and Comfort during the extended route. Special is basically Race with the chassis softened off a touch to suit the lumpy-bumpy Nordschleife, and in reality a lot of Australia's spaghetti-like regional roads suit this exact mode given there's a layer of added compliance needed to iron out some sharper hits and high-frequency imperfections to avoid upsetting the balance of the vehicle. In this mode the drivetrain is also put into S+, which basically dials up everything to 11. It revs right out to the redline in each gear and downshifts early with plenty of aural theatre – helped by the augmented engine sound via the speakers – and if you flick it into the manual M+ mode the Golf R will refuse to shift even if you hit the limiter. The new turbocharger preload system works its magic in this mode, maintaining boost for better response. You basically get no turbo lag, and it almost feels naturally aspirated in the way it responds so quickly and revs out so linearly. Adaptive chassis tech and variable-ratio steering mean you can dial up the feel and firmness when you want it for spirited stints, and then dial it back when you're tootling around the 'burbs or cruising on the highway. As its predecessors have done for generations, the Golf R remains a superb all-rounder. As with the GTI, I found that the steering weight felt a tad artificial and not as communicative as something like a Civic Type R, but it has a nicely fluid and accurate rack that suits the Jekyll and Hyde personalities of the Golf R quite well. I'd just like a bit more of a natural and weighted feel. I didn't find the engine's soundtrack to be overly contrived or artificial like the old Mk7's, and in its most aggressive mode the Golf R has an aggressive, high-pitched and raspy tone that sounds a little like the free-revving Mercedes-AMG 2.0-litre turbo four. You get subtle cracks or 'farts' on upshifts, a nice burbly idle, and a bit of overrun when you lift off the throttle between 3000 and 5000rpm. It certainly sounds purposeful, and is a little more raucous than the Audi S3 which shares the same drivetrain and much of the running gear underneath. At SMP we got to trial Drift mode on the skid pan before taking both the R and Black Edition out for some instructed laps on the long circuit. It's fascinating how much the different modes change the car's vibe. You can genuinely hold slides quite easily with the throttle (in a controlled environment when conditions permit), yet the Golf R also remains a sharp corner-carver on the racetrack. We started in Comfort mode and gradually worked or way up to Race and Special, really getting a good feel for the Golf R's circuit capabilities. The mix of sweeping bends and hairpins was a good test for the 4Motion AWD system as well as the brakes, and there was minimal fade from the latter after successive laps. There's good response from all driver controls at the limit, and it took a lot to induce any understeer – if anything ,the rear differential does a great job of sending torque to the outside rear wheel the bring the bum around. Volkswagen R's development driver, Benjamin 'Benny' Leuchter, even took us for a couple of hot laps at what felt like 10/10ths, included a lap in both the Special and Drift modes. As you can imagine, it was the latter that really generated the widest eyes and loudest gasps from all three journalists onboard… Mr Leuchter confirmed the Golf R Black Edition lapped the famed Nurburgring Nordschleife in seven minutes and 47 seconds, which is around three seconds off the Civic Type R's pace but quicker than the Mercedes-AMG A45 S. Not bad. Rounding out the on-road assessment, we did find there was a bit of tyre roar finding its way into the cabin from the 235/35 Bridgestone Potenza tyres, but that's not unusual for this type of car. The R's driver assistance suite is also excellent, as you'd expect. Travel Assist remains one of the benchmark semi-autonomous functions, and the standard Area View surround camera means you shouldn't have an excuse for gutter-rashed rims – though the quality of the camera feed could be better. Also standard are helpful features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic assist, which supplement the Golf's already very good outward visibility. The former also brakes to avoid collisions in reverse. Speaking of parking, the R features Park Assist Plus, which adds automated assistance for the accelerator, brake and gear selection over the standard Park Assist in lower Golfs, which only controls steering to help guide you into both parallel and perpendicular parking bays. To see how the Volkswagen Golf lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The standard R is bolstered by the Black Edition, which is limited to 300 units in Australia. Volkswagen's local arm says around half of our market's Black Edition allocation is already spoken for. 2025 Volkswagen Golf R equipment highlights: Golf R Black Edition adds: To see how the Volkswagen Golf lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The Golf R will be available with an optional Warmenau Package for model year 2026 and it's available to order now, while both the MY25 Golf R and Black Edition are both available with a panoramic sunroof. Warmenau Package: $6500 (MY26 R only) Single-item options: To see how the Volkswagen Golf lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The Volkswagen Golf has a five-star ANCAP safety rating based on 2019 Euro NCAP testing. Standard safety equipment includes: Golf GTI adds: Golf R adds: To see how the Volkswagen Golf lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The Golf R, like the wider Golf range, is covered by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty in Australia To see how the Volkswagen Golf lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool Put simply, this is an R-mazing little car. Volkswagen has been polishing away at the Golf R formula for over two decades and it shows. Perhaps other than the related Audi S3, no other vehicle at this size or price point offers the same kind of all-round capability and useability. It's feels at home both in the city and on the racetrack, and while it's not necessarily the quickest or fastest hot hatch on sale, it arguably strikes the best balance. The level of adjustability in the chassis and drivetrain allows you to finetune it to just about any driving situation, and of course it's a Golf so the fundamentals are generally excellent anyway. It also is packed with just about everything the latest Golf portfolio has to offer, much of which isn't available in lower grades in Australia. Gripes? The fiddly steering wheel controls can get annoying when driving hard, and $70,000 is a lot of money for a Golf, even one as fast and as capable as this. Indeed it's not all that much cheaper than an Audi S3 with the same running gear. It's also a shame the Golf R Wagon remains off the menu for Australians. The more practical body had a cult, if niche, following Down Under, and offered a point of difference alongside all of its peers at this end of the market. Volkswagen Group subsidiary Cupra will fill the gap somewhat later this year with the Leon Sportstourer, though I imagine many would still prefer a Golf. All told though, the updated Mk8.5 Golf R is a fine compact performance car. It's the Swiss army knife of hot hatches, perhaps even more so these days than the also excellent new Golf GTI. It's as hardcore and racy as ever, without skimping on the creature comforts and daily driveability the nameplate is lauded for. The Black Edition in Grenadilla Black looks pretty mean, though I'd personally be holding out for an MY26 Lapiz Blue example with the optional Warmenau package. Interested in buying a Volkswagen Golf? Get in touch with one of CarExpert's trusted dealers here MORE: Everything Volkswagen Golf
Auto Express
27-05-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Express
Car Deal of the Day: Bag the iconic Volkswagen Golf GTI for under £300 a month
Illustrious heritage Fun to drive; 261bhp Just £294.10 a month The Volkswagen Golf GTI has been a go-to hot hatchback for 50 years, on account of its perfect blend of performance, practicality and pleasingly discreet styling. Naturally, with such a pedigree, you wouldn't expect to get a GTI for pennies. But, our Deal of the Day might go some way to change your expectations. Advertisement - Article continues below First Vehicle Leasing, through the Auto Express Find a Car service, is offering the spicy hatch for just £294.10 – that's the cheapest we've seen it for, well, we can't remember. This two-year deal requires £3,828.15 to be put down first as an initial payment – a bit chunky, yes, but this helps to keep the monthly payments down. Mileage is capped at 5,000 a year, but this can be tweaked up to 8,000 a year for £16.40 a month. At the heart of the GTI is its 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine that pumps out 261bhp. If that sounds a lot, then it is – the most recent update for the Golf, the Mk8.5, saw a near 20bhp power hike over its predecessor. Thanks to that, along with a snappy seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox (there's no manual option available any more), 0-62mph takes a rather rapid 5.9 seconds, and top speed is limited to 155mph. The main reason the GTI is so brilliant is how well rounded it is. It's just as at home on the school run on tight, congested city streets, as it is threading together twisting country roads. Being a high-spec model in the Golf range, the GTI gets plenty of bells and whistles. Standard equipment includes matrix LED headlights, LED rear lights with 'dynamic' indicators, heated front seats, and 30-colour ambient lighting. And, because it's a GTI, the seats are trimmed in 'Jacara' check cloth. The Car Deal of the Day selections we make are taken from our own Auto Express Find A Car deals service, which includes the best current offers from car dealers and leasing companies around the UK. Terms and conditions apply, while prices and offers are subject to change and limited availability. If this deal expires, you can find more top Volkswagen Golf GTI leasing offers from leading providers on our Volkswagen Golf GTI hub page. Check out the Volkswagen Golf GTI deal or take a look at our previous Car Deal of the Day selection here…
