Volkswagen has released new pics of the 2020 Golf, which sees the launch of a new generation. More iterative than inspired, the MK VIII is a mild evolution on the current model, though with a furrowed brow befitting or current global climate.
Slightly more angular, with a severe horizontal line cutting across the hood and wrapping around with the headlights, it’s most definitely a Golf. The face seems to be where most of the changes take place, with those headlights sitting below the hood-line and curling downward, in a reversal of the MK VII’s frontend. The air intake has grown, pushing back almost to the front wheels.
It’s grown about an inch in length (168.7 inches compared to the current 167.6 inches). The wheelbase, though, remains the same. Width is down from 70.8 inches to 70.43 inches, which is practically unnoticeable.
The side-view mirrors seem to be getting the two-tone treatment, and the roof offers slightly more curve than the current model has. The taillights have a mild redesign, but otherwise, very little on the new model looks like something that couldn’t be achieved on the MK VII with some aftermarket parts.
And that’s totally okay! That Golf has been rad forever. It’s long been the most obvious solution to most people’s car needs, offering cargo space, efficiency, style (yes. Style) and driving dynamics that are well-suited for cities and suburbs. Though the base model has never been a powerhouse, it’s always been the perfect slow car to drive fast, always being nimble and well-planted to the road.
The 2020 Golf is Undeniably a Golf
VW Europe’s announced the coming powertrains. They include five hybrid options, based on gas, diesel, and natural gas. From the European VW press site:
The drive options for the new Golf also include a petrol (TSI), diesel (TDI) and natural gas drive (TGI), two four-cylinder petrol engines with 66 kW / 90 PS and 81 kW / 110 PS, two four-cylinder diesel engines with 85 kW / 115 PS and 110 kW / 150 PS, and a TGI with 96 kW / 130 PS The new TSI variants have particularly low consumption values and emissions thanks to elements including the innovative TSI Miller combustion process. An innovation in the TDI powertrains: Volkswagen uses twin-dosing technology (two SCR catalytic converters) to significantly reduce nitrogen oxide emissions (NOx) by up to 80%; in addition, TDI consumption is lowered by up to 17% compared with its predecessor.
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t’s likely that most of those won’t migrate to these shores, but no official announcement has been made. Expect the 1.4L TSI and 1.8L TSI that power the current-gen. A single hybrid option seems probable, too. So, too, are the GTI and R variants.
Unfortunately, however, there won’t be a new SportWagen or AllTrack. Both models will end after the current production year because everything is awful and we don’t deserve anything nice.