Volkswagen Group Australia details Mk8 Golf

VOLKSWAGEN Group Australia’s (VGA) Mk8 Golf has finally arrived Down Under with the new-generation kicking off from $29,350 plus on-road costs for the entry-level manual.

The local range initially consists of seven variants from launch including two wagons and the performance-minded GTI flagship, however that figure will grow to eight or possibly even nine by the end of next year when the Mk8 Golf R arrives (hatch and wagon).

Boasting a heap of new-age technology, VGA says the highlight of the new-generation Golf is the standard inclusion of its IQ.Drive driver assistance and safety suite, consisting of travel assist, front assist with pedestrian and cyclist monitoring, adaptive cruise control, lane assist, oncoming vehicle braking when turning, driver fatigue detection, side assist, rear traffic alert, rearview camera, park assist, front and rear parking sensors and manoeuvre braking as well as tyre-pressure indicator.

Besides the range-topping GTI, all local Mk8 Golfs are powered by a turbocharged 1.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine developing 110kW/250Nm, channelled to the front wheels in the base model by a six-speed manual transmission.

Spending an extra $2600 will net buyers a new Aisin-sourced eight-speed automatic with the bigger wagon body available for another $1600.

In manual form, VGA says the powerplant will drink an even 6.0 litres of premium unleaded fuel per 100km on the combined cycle while the automatic will consume a slightly more frugal 5.8.

Measuring at 66mm longer than the hatch and 27mm taller, the new Golf Wagon ups the rear cargo volume from 381 litres to 611 litres with up to 1642 litres on offer when the rear seats are folded flat compared with 1237 litres in the hatch.

Standard equipment highlights on the base model include 16-inch alloy wheels, an 8.25-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay/Android auto, Bluetooth connectivity and AM/FM radio, tri-zone climate control, auto-dimming rearview mirror, leather steering wheel, cloth seats, rain-sensing wipers and automatic headlights.

Priced from $34,250 for the hatch and $36,250 for the wagon, the Life ups the standard equipment game with bigger 17-inch alloys, touch-slide temperature controls for the climate control, 10-inch Discover Pro infotainment system with wireless smartphone mirroring and charging, chrome interior trim, 10-colour LED ambient lighting, power-folding wing mirrors and comfort front seats.

The penultimate trim level is the sports-themed R-Line, which is available exclusively in hatch form from $37,450.

Compared to the Life, the R-Line adds more aggressive styling courtesy of its R-Line body kit and 18-inch alloys, sports seats with integrated headrests and black sport “cloth and microfleece” upholstery, dynamic LED performance lights with automatic high beam, D-shaped sports steering wheel, carbon-grey interior trim, aluminium-finish sports pedals, 30-colour ambient lighting, sport suspension tune (15mm lower) and progressive steering rack.

As previously reported by GoAuto, the new flagship Golf GTI retails for $53,100 and is powered by a turbocharged 2,0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine carried over from the last-generation.

This means power and torque have remained steady at 180kW/370Nm with the sole transmission choice being a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic to give 0-100km/h in a claimed 6.3 seconds.

Standard equipment highlights on the GTI, in addition to the R-Line, include unique 18-inch alloy wheels, honeycomb-patterned dash and door trim, LED headlights, sports seats with tartan-cloth upholstery, black headliner, stainless-steel pedals and red stitching.

VGA managing director Michael Bartsch said plenty of brands had tried to emulate the GTI’s winning recipe over the years, but none had come close to doing so.

“Almost anyone can take a brand’s standard hatchback and make it stiffer and faster. This is not of itself an accomplishment,” he said.

“The art that continues to elude the GTI’s imagined competitors is to build a car which is as civilised in daily deployment as you choose, but which can be an accomplished sports car when you wish. 

“It is these virtues, coupled with a classic rather than kitsch design and the latest in on-board technology, that will ensure the GTI and, next year, the Golf R Mk8, continue to outsell ‘rivals’ by a great margin.”

In terms of safety (in addition to the IQ.Drive suite), all Golfs come with the usual array of airbags, front and rear seat belt tensioners, Isofix and top tether child-seat anchors, proactive occupant protection system, multi-collision braking and seatbelt warning for all occupants.

VGA has sold 366 Golfs so far this year ending May, accounting for a narrow 0.9 per cent share of the sub-$40,000 small car segment and marking a huge 91.9 per cent sales decline compared to the same period last year.

2021 Volkswagen Golf pricing*

*Excludes on-road costs