Photo: SH Proshots
It's not only the normal Volkswagen Golf models that are in for a mid-cycle refresh but the entire family, including the GTI. The front-wheel drive hot hatch was recently caught testing on German roads, featuring a few visual updates.
If you look closely at the front end, you will see that the red trim extends above the headlights, contributing to an eyeliner-like effect. The GTI logo adorning the small grille was moved a bit down, and the headlamps feature revised graphics. The bumper soldiers on for now, but you can bet that it will receive some updates of its own when the time comes.
To no one's surprise, the profile is identical. That includes the trim on the front fenders, the door handles, and the side skirts. Still, the model could bring new wheels. Together with the diffuser, the rear bumper also soldiers on. The taillights are new, though, and they sport red tape on them – or so it appears anyway. The central part of the tailgate is still home to the VW and GTI logos.
Volkswagen probably thought that retaining the front and rear bumpers and keeping the camouflage to the bare minimum would help the facelifted Golf GTI go by unnoticed, yet they were obviously wrong, as they couldn't trick our spy photographers.
We have yet to take a look inside, but it has been reported that the model might get a new infotainment system with a 15-inch diagonal. Does that sound familiar? It's because it might be the same unit equipping the new-gen Tiguan and Passat. The digital instrument cluster could get new software. Elsewhere, we expect the facelifted Golf GTI to bring perhaps a new steering wheel and maybe fresh trim and upholstery.
It has been said that VW will drop the manual transmission from the Golf GTI, but new data indicates the stick shift might survive – for now, anyway. We don't know yet if they will do anything to the powertrain, though the logical move would be to assume it will retain the current car's output and torque. You're looking at 241 horsepower (244 ps/180 kW) and 273 pound-feet (370 Nm) of torque produced by the 2.0-liter four-pot. The vehicle will soldier on with front-wheel drive, as the all-wheel drive system will still be reserved for the punchier Golf R.
We don't have an official unveiling date for the facelifted VW Golf GTI yet, but it has been reported that it might premiere early next year. If that's the case, then it should launch shortly after, and it could be a 2025 model. We expect it to be a bit more expensive compared to its predecessor, which has an MSRP of $30,530 in the United States.
To no one's surprise, the profile is identical. That includes the trim on the front fenders, the door handles, and the side skirts. Still, the model could bring new wheels. Together with the diffuser, the rear bumper also soldiers on. The taillights are new, though, and they sport red tape on them – or so it appears anyway. The central part of the tailgate is still home to the VW and GTI logos.
Volkswagen probably thought that retaining the front and rear bumpers and keeping the camouflage to the bare minimum would help the facelifted Golf GTI go by unnoticed, yet they were obviously wrong, as they couldn't trick our spy photographers.
We have yet to take a look inside, but it has been reported that the model might get a new infotainment system with a 15-inch diagonal. Does that sound familiar? It's because it might be the same unit equipping the new-gen Tiguan and Passat. The digital instrument cluster could get new software. Elsewhere, we expect the facelifted Golf GTI to bring perhaps a new steering wheel and maybe fresh trim and upholstery.
It has been said that VW will drop the manual transmission from the Golf GTI, but new data indicates the stick shift might survive – for now, anyway. We don't know yet if they will do anything to the powertrain, though the logical move would be to assume it will retain the current car's output and torque. You're looking at 241 horsepower (244 ps/180 kW) and 273 pound-feet (370 Nm) of torque produced by the 2.0-liter four-pot. The vehicle will soldier on with front-wheel drive, as the all-wheel drive system will still be reserved for the punchier Golf R.
We don't have an official unveiling date for the facelifted VW Golf GTI yet, but it has been reported that it might premiere early next year. If that's the case, then it should launch shortly after, and it could be a 2025 model. We expect it to be a bit more expensive compared to its predecessor, which has an MSRP of $30,530 in the United States.
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