During a works council meeting yesterday, trade union IG Metall revealed the first official teaser image of the next-generation Volkswagen Golf, which will be underpinned by VW’s SSP architecture. Athough at first glance there appears to be little to glean from the solitary photograph, the silhouette is a clear evolution of that of the current eighth-generation hatchback, while also taking inspiration from the ID. GTI concept. Furthermore, the image’s file name includes the words “ID. Golf,” confirming that VW is abandoning alphanumeric names for its EVs in favor of nomenclature that is both more traditional and more memorable. Indeed, the ID.4 is expected to become the ID. Tiguan, and now it’s clear that the electric Golf will similarly evoke its gas-powered sibling, which, for the record, isn’t going anywhere.
Electric Golf Will Coexist with Gas Hatchback
Volkswagen
Last year, Volkswagen confirmed that the gas-powered Golf will continue to exist well into the next decade, and that includes the hot GTI and R variants. While some reports have suggested that the electric Golf has been delayed to the end of the decade, others have claimed that it will arrive in 2028. Either way, the eight-generation VW Golf arrived in 2019 and was already facelifted once in 2024, which means that the gas-powered hatchback will be pretty old by the time the EV alternative arrives. Therefore, another facelift is likely when the ID. Golf debuts, though it may be substantial enough for Wolfsburg to call it a new generation.
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When that happens, we expect a whole new interior setup, with the return of physical buttons and the addition of customizable gauge cluster displays, likely including some retro themes that will call the Mk.1 Golf to mind. If the gas Golf shares the Scalable Systems Platform (SSP) with the EV, we might see hybrid powertrains being introduced, too.
Golf Production Site Set to Change
Volkswagen
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Volkswagen ha not confirmed when the new Golf hatches will arrive, but it’s been confirmed that the current 8.5 Golf will no longer be built in Wolfsburg, moving instead to Pueble, Mexico next year. This will allow the German plant to produce the EV, according to IG Metall. Both vehicles are sure to be heavily influenced by the aforementioned ID. GTI concept, which will mean a new face with full-width illumination front and rear, a sharper silhouette, and pronounced wheel arches. With 800-volt dual-motor powertrains and software developed with Rivian, the ID. Golf is sure to be an exciting proposition, but whether it will be successful remains to be seen.