Volkswagen, which is expected to launch the new ChatGPT in-vehicle system at the CES show in Las Vegas this week, accidentally (or deliberately?) unveiled the facelifted 8.5-generation Golf GTI when releasing official photos. A new system is displayed, and even the interior layout is also announced. What is gratifying is that the steering wheel cancels capacitive touch and is completely changed back to physical buttons.
Judging from the officially released pictures of the 8.5-generation Golf GTI camouflaged car, it looks like it has new headlights and bumper shapes, even with a hint of Golf R. The rear of the car has dual exhaust tailpipes and an integrated splitter shape. The rear bumper and rear spoiler are very similar to the European Clubsport shape, and are matched with 19-inch Estoril aluminum wheels. Basically the appearance doesn’t change much. But this is also the final look we can see of the last generation of fuel Golf.
Compared with the appearance, more updates are in the interior. Volkswagen said that this facelift is mainly to address the shortcomings of the current model and improve ergonomics, cabin quality and usability functions. The interior photos show that the Golf has changed from a relatively small central control screen embedded in the center console to a 12.9-inch flat screen, paired with a 10.4-inch digital instrument panel, and has the latest MIB in-car entertainment system.
The new MIB system was first introduced on the ID.3 and ID.7 electric vehicles, bringing an improved menu structure, faster processing speed and higher-resolution display. Through the updated screen and system, Golf has a more logical interface and more user-friendly air conditioning control.
An enhanced version of the IDA voice assistant has also been added, based on the ChatGPT artificial intelligence model, which can use more types of voice commands than before to control functions such as infotainment, satellite navigation and air conditioning.
In addition, the capacitive touch buttons on the steering wheel, which are criticized by car owners in the current model, can easily cause trouble due to accidentally touching the buttons while driving, or the touch response is inaccurate, etc., so they have also been adapted during the minor facelift. Public opinion, change back to traditional physical buttons with more intuitive controls.
Volkswagen has not yet revealed whether it will make changes to the powertrain of the 8.5-liter Golf GTI, but it will definitely use the 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo engine from the EA888 evo4, which is likely to be slightly improved from the current 245 hp.
Kai Grünitz, head of technical development, also said that manual transmissions will no longer be available in the future and that making a new manual transmission “doesn’t make sense” because when the development of facelift vehicles began, the specific content of Euro 7 emission regulations was not yet clear. Volkswagen decided to continue using only the lower-emissions DSG gearbox to avoid violating any emissions regulations.
Image Source: Volkswagen at the CES 2024