2024 Volkswagen Golf facelift leaked, due next year

An image of the updated 2024 Volkswagen Golf hatch without camouflage has leaked online, ahead of an unveiling expected in the coming months, and deliveries next year.

Posted to Instagram by Cochespias, the image of Volkswagen’s revised Golf appears to have been taken at a media preview event, and borrows styling inspiration from the new Passat wagon.

The context of the photo suggests an official unveiling is due in the coming months – if it has already been shown to European media – ahead of overseas showroom arrivals due next year.

Australian deliveries are expected to commence towards the end of next year, as a Model Year 2025 vehicle, or early in 2025.

The facelift may extend the life cycle of the current ‘Mk8’ Golf to bridge the gap to an electric-only ‘Mk9’ successor, which has been confirmed for a 2028 launch by VW executives.

The scheduling forms part of a strategy that will see the model cycle of the existing Golf extended beyond the traditional seven years of its predecessors, in line with VW’s planned transition to an all-electric European line-up by 2033. 

The Golf pictured is the R-Line model, and wears a sportier front bumper similar to the new Passat that is not planned for Australia. Spy photos show regular versions will adopt similar ‘smiling’ front fascia treatments to cheaper Passat models.

The headlights are slimmer than the current model, while past spy photos have shown revised LED tail-light graphics, and tweaked bumpers.

MORE: 2024 Volkswagen Golf facelift spied with new look, super-sized screen

Inside, the Golf is expected to gain a new 12.9-inch freestanding infotainment touchscreen from the Tiguan and Passat – up from 10 inches today – with more responsive software, and a simpler layout.

The facelift is set to introduced illumination for the touch-sensitive volume and air-conditioning temperature slider controls below the screen, which have received criticism in the current model from owners and media for being difficult to use at night.

The touch-sensitive steering wheel controls are also planned to be ditched for the updated Golf – while reports claim the digital instrument cluster may grow from 10 to 10.4 inches.

UK publication Autocar reports plug-in hybrid models will switch from today’s 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol four-cylinder engine to a newer 1.5-litre unit, with a new-generation electric motor and “updated electronics package”.

MORE: 2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI 380 farewells manual transmission, not for Australia

It is said to increase power in the regular eHybrid from 150kW to 158kW, and in the Golf GTE ‘hot hatch’ version from 180kW to 191kW, while a larger battery will reportedly increase electric driving range to 100km on a charge.

Mild-hybrid assistance is reportedly planned to be added to the Golf GTI and Golf R hot hatchbacks for the first time, to provide a small electrified boost under hard acceleration, or allow the engine to switch off when coasting at speed to save fuel.

The 2024 Volkswagen Golf is expected to be unveiled in the coming months.

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