RETURN OF THE KING
EVOLUTIONARY EXTERIOR IF IT AIN’T BROKE, DON’T TRY TO FIX IT … THAT’S THE ETHOS BEHIND THE EIGHTHGENERATION GTI’S STYLING
Volkswagen tends to make ballooning bodywork, prominent spoilers and diffusers the preserve of its R and track-focused variants but there’ll be a purposeful simplicity to the Mark 8 GTI befitting its balanced persona. As our renderings show, staples such as red pin striping, black honeycomb grille and dual-tone alloys remain part of the exterior highlights, albeit in more vestigial forms. The narrower upper grille shows the continuance of the signature thin red line, which will mirror the chromed louvers by flowing into the LED daytime-running light elements, much like in the Arteon. Out back, the subtlest of roof spoilers and dual exhaust ports are the only real telltale signs. That clean exterior will also contribute to an improved drag coefficient, possibly supplemented by active aerodynamic elements in the front venting.
HIGH-TECH AND HISTORIC MEET IN THE CABIN GLASS PANELS AND MINIMAL ANALOGUE CONTROLS TO BE PART OF A CLEAN, SPORTY DASH.
The aim, according to Volkswagen’s design chief, Klaus Bischoff, is to make the Golf 8’s dash a “total digital environment”. The new car’s clean lines and unfussy exterior detailing will be mirrored in a facia similar to that of the 2015 Golf R Touch Concept (see overleaf). Most button- and dial-driven ancillary controls will migrate to a central TFT panel in the dash. In addition to extended infotainment system functionality, this setup could also accommodate a degree of configurability, allowing the driver to drag and drop certain display windows to an optimal position. Basically, the Golf 8 will sport an evolutionary version of the Innovision Cockpit first seen in the Touareg.
TECHNOLOGICAL TRADITION
Volkswagen will weave elements of the GTI’S traditional interior features into the cabin’s technologically advanced architecture. While such features as golf
ball-aping gear knobs would likely jar with the digital dash, there’ll be a Gti-specific software module incorporating digitised takes on the trio of analogue ancillary dials on the lower sections of the Mark 1’s dash, possibly incorporating display roundels for such information as lap timer/g-force/turbo-oil-voltmeter. Expect the age-old tartan seat panels to make an appearance, too.
TOTALLY CONNECTED
Volkswagen’s small car boss, Karlheinz Hell, also hinted at extended connectivity features for the upcoming Golf: “The next Golf will take Volkswagen into the era of fully connected vehicles with extended autonomous driving functions. It will have more software onboard than ever before. It will always be online and its digital cockpit and assistance systems will be the benchmark in terms of connectivity and safety.”
PROVEN PLATFORM VOLKSWAGEN’S MQB UNDERPINNINGS WILL PERSIST, WITH SOME EXTRA FEATURES
The GTI will continue to be underpinned by Volkswagen’s wide-ranging MQB transverse-engine modular platform. Even greater emphasis will be placed on weight reduction, utilising lightweight composite materials wherever possible, while improving torsional rigidity in a bid to make the new car even more directionally balanced than before. Revisions to MQB will also see the GTI grow in length and width. This frees up interior room, while wider tracks will further improve stability.
ADAPTS TO THE ROAD
Although the GTI has traditionally served a driving experience largely unfettered by intrusive technology, the eighth-generation car’s assistance systems will centre on a LIDAR (camera and radar) sensor array which should allow such features to blend in well with the GTI’S balanced demeanour. This system will incorporate the following:
Adaptive suspension: allied to road surface-scanning LIDAR, this system will make constant, high-speed adjustments to the GTI’S dampers according to both surface conditions and driving attitude.
Drivetrain management module: along with the given sport/normal/eco/comfort presets, the new GTI’S system will likely incorporate greater steering, gearshift and throttle configurability, allowing the driver to tailor the car’s dynamic characteristics.
Semi-autonomous drive: given the often town-bound environments the GTI will occupy, the adoption of low-speed autonomous driving assistance is likely. It will also knit together with adaptive braking, cruise control and positional awareness safety systems.
PROVEN POWERTRAIN CHANGES BENEATH THE BONNET MAY NOT BE THAT DRAMATIC, BUT THAT’S NOT A BAD THING…
At the GTI’S heart, a well-known entity that’s the 2,0-litre EA888 turbopetrol four will continue to power the front wheels. Volkswagen has remained tight-lipped regarding powertrain details, but the following is likely.
Plug pulled on hybrid GTI: reports have emerged Volkswagen’s initial plans to adopt a 48 V mild hybrid setup to boost performance and fuel efficiency have been shelved and the long-serving 2,0-litre EA888 turbopetrol will instead undergo a series of software tweaks, resulting in outputs increased to around 225 kw and 450 N.m, paring almost half a second off the current car’s 6,4 second 0-100 km/h sprint time. The top speed will remain limited to 250 km/h. Up front, auto:
purists hoping for a manual gearbox may have to hold thumbs for this transmission option, as an uprated version of the firm’s dual-clutch ‘box is the most likely candidate for now. Even so, Volkswagen performance DSGS tend to be slick, responsive items that lend themselves just as well to trickling through traffic as working paddles on a twisty road. There have been reports of the next GTI adopting AWD but it’s more likely the preserve of hotter future models such as the Golf R. The front-wheel-drive setup will continue to feature but could be supplemented by an enhanced version of Volkswagens XDS electronic differential lock and a torque-vectoring system to rein in understeer.