2024 Volkswagen Golf debuts globally with new features and design
Volkswagen has revealed the new Golf, sporting a sleeker design, an upgraded infotainment system, and several mechanical enhancements. The refreshed hatchback is available in eHybrid and GTE plug-in hybrid versions, as well as the GTI model for the US market. The estate version is presented in R-Line style, but the all-wheel-drive R and GTD performance variants are absent from the lineup.
Exterior changes and new color options
Notable exterior updates include revamped LED lighting, with the higher-end Golf models boasting full-LED headlights and a backlit VW emblem. Buyers can choose a Matrix LED system with a high beam nearly twice as strong as the standard option. The rear taillights showcase 3D-like graphics and offer three customizable patterns. Volkswagen is also launching four new metallic paint shades and five alloy wheel designs ranging from 16-inch to 19-inch.
Updated cabin and next-generation infotainment system
The Golf's refreshed interior, previewed earlier this month at CES, includes traditional buttons on the steering wheel for the hot hatch and Golf R versions. The infotainment system features a sizable tablet-style screen, a 10.4-inch unit on lower-priced models and a 12.9-inch panel on the range-topping versions. Capacitive climate control sliders with illumination remain unchanged, and an optional head-up display is also offered.
Engine options and performance upgrades
The base Golf model comes with a 1.5-liter TSI petrol engine that produces either 113hp or 148hp of peak power. The mild-hybrid variant gets the 1.5-liter eTSI setup and has identical outputs but is exclusively available with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. A more powerful 2.0-liter TSI engine with 201hp is also an option. For diesel fans, the 2.0-liter TDI motor develops 113hp with a six-speed manual or 148hp with a seven-speed DSG transmission.
eHybrid and GTE models with improved range and charging
The eHybrid version boasts a 201hp TSI mill, a six-speed DSG, and a front-wheel-drive setup, along with a larger lithium-ion battery pack that extends the all-electric range up to 100km. The plug-in hybrid now supports AC charging at 11kW and DC charging up to 50kW, taking just 25 minutes to charge the battery from 10% to 80%. With a fully charged battery and a full tank of gas, Volkswagen estimates a total range of up to 1,000km.
