Volkswagen has officially unveiled the first look at the facelifted Golf hatchback, the latest upgrade for Europe’s best-selling car.
Given that this is just a facelift and not an all-new model, the aesthetic updates are relatively minor with a slightly altered appearance courtesy of a reworked front bumper and new headlights.
LED tail lights are now standard and there are new alloy wheel designs, but the majority of the differences are focused in the interior, which now comes with a virtual cockpit display like the Passat.
Called the Active Info Display, it’s a 12.3-inch HD colour display which buyers can specify to replace the analogue instruments and which can also display sat-nav directions, plus consumption figures and other data.
The Golf also now comes with a choice of a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system as standard, or a much larger 9.2-inch screen which can be controlled via hand gestures and voice commands.
Volkswagen has also added in a lot more safety equipment, with new kit like semi-autonomous emergency braking features and Park Assist, which can aid drivers when parking in tight spaces.
Traffic Jam Assist also now features, which is a new system which can pilot Golf models equipped with automatic gearboxes autonomously in slow traffic to reduce driver fatigue and stress.
The new Golf can also recognise the preferences of its drivers, who can choose to store settings for audio volume, temperature, seat position and more, all accessible through the infotainment system.
New for this facelifted version is a new seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox, which will be rolled out across the entire VW range and which replaces the existing six-speed version.
This car also marks the debut of a new 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine, dubbed the TSI Evo, and which will unsurprisingly serve as Volkswagen’s new flagship engine instead of the diesels.
Available with either 128bhp or 148bhp to begin, the new engine is able to shut two of its cylinders down to save fuel, and Volkswagen claims the frugal Bluemotion version can return up to 61.4mpg.
There’s also an update for the popular Golf GTI, which has had its output boosted to 227bhp for the standard version or to as much as 242bhp with the upgraded GTI Performance option.
Both get a range of appearance updates to differentiate them from the standard Golf a bit better, with more obvious red detailing around the front grille and new alloy wheels.
Finally, a range-topping R version will be on the way soon and although Volkswagen has yet to release any solid information it’s rumoured that it could make up to 414bhp.
