Golf 8.5 incoming

THE GOLF 8 WAS THE FIRST ITERATION OF VOLKSWAGEN'S HATCH SINCE THE MK3 TO GET A LUKEWARM RECEPTION. THE GOOD NEWS? HERE'S THE REMEDIAL FIX

THE 2025 Golf has debuted in Europe ahead of its Australian launch around 12 months from now. A VOLKSWAGEN mid-life facelift to the current Mk8 Golf launched in 2019, the latest '8.5' model becomes the last combustion-engined Golf, with the Mk9 model due around 2028 to be all-electric, based on the Volkswagen Group's new unified Scalable Systems Platform (SSP).

Volkswagen Australia has confirmed the updated Golf hatch will enter production for our market in the fourth quarter of 2024 (October to December), with first arrivals likely around the beginning of 2025.

Exterior design changes include a revised front end with sharper LED headlights, a new "high-performance" main beam for flagship versions fitted with matrix technology, new bumpers, a full-width light bar, and an illuminated Volkswagen badge.

There are also a range of fresh alloy wheel designs and an updated but still recognisably Golf light signature for the 3D-effect LED tail-lights.