Plenty of juicy CKD locally-assembled Volkswagens are on the way, it seems. Yesterday, we shared with you pics of the VW Arteon facelift roaming in Malaysia just two months after the pre-facelift car’s launch; now here’s the Mk8 Golf GTI, spotted in Pekan, Pahang by reader Wan Mohd Saifudin.
Pekan is of course home to Volkswagen’s Malaysian assembly facility, which rolls out the Vento, Passat and Tiguan, with the Tiguan Allspace and Arteon recently joining the list. All variants of the Golf have been CBU fully-imported since day one, but it looks like this will change for the eighth-generation hatchback.
The Mk8 Golf was first revealed to the world in October 2019, but this GTI version only made its debut in February 2020. In fact, it’s so fresh that UK prices were announced just two weeks ago. This is actually the second sighting of the hot hatch in our patch – earlier this week, a dark blue unit was snapped without any disguise in Putrajaya. This red car has tape on its VW and GTI emblems, which isn’t going to fool anyone.
The Golf GTI has always been the best example of a classy and understated hot hatch, and the Mk8 is no different. We only know it’s a GTI from the twin exhaust pipes – one on each side, they’re sizeable and real. The regular Golf’s pipes aren’t really exhaust tips, but a chrome trim simulates pipes. Where the central ‘GTI’ emblem is, the regular car has ‘Golf’. Also seen on this red example is 18-inch ‘Richmond’ alloys.
The Mk8 Golf GTI is powered by an EA888 2.0L turbo-four with 245 PS and 370 Nm of torque – that’s a jump of 15 PS and 20 Nm from the regular Mk7.5 GTI and on par with the outgoing model’s Performance Pack version. Gearbox options are a six-speed manual and seven-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic, but only the latter will land here, as usual.
Under the skin are MacPherson struts at the front, multilink suspension at the rear, an XDS electronic differential lock and a sports suspension setup that’s 15 mm lower in ride height compared to the standard Golf. New for the Mk8 is a Vehicle Dynamics Manager control system that coordinates the operation of the XDS and the optional DCC adaptive dampers. As you can see the gallery below, all the GTI visual cues are present, but the interior is very screen heavy. How now, hot hatch fans?
GALLERY: Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk8
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Unless vw malaysia price it under 200k…
Car looks nice but the Golf cannot sell because VW every year throw prices in their Firesales. Say brand new Golf RM200k, they sell RM100k
They anger current owners kaw kaw every year wihout fail.
So high risk buy any VW because principal themselves throw prices in Malaysia until make 2nd hand market collapse.
What u smoking bro? VW used prices do not drop that drastically especially for sellable models like the Tiguan.
Sean bro, I’m afraid abang Michael got it spot on. Just have a look Car for sale ads above, 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan 1.4TSI Highline selling for rm103,999 before nego. Price when new is RM165,000.
True what u said, but most conti cars once go out of shop, gonna drop drastically. Not just VW.
Congrats to our DRB Hicom abams, VW Group have much trust in your capabilities and hardworking culture to entrust you with making their top performance Golf GTi! With cheaper prices leading to more sales, your hardwork will be recognised by the whole VW. That is why VW CEO have admitted the truth that our abams are more hardworking and better performing than Wolfsburg abams. This is the trust they gave to us.
DRB Hicom abams, Suzuki Chevrolet VW mana?
VW going stronk meanwhile Suzuki & Chevy exiting ASEAN market. Jepunis & Murican dunno how to do business failed DRB Hicom abams.
They withdrawn from Asean market, what can DRB do when the brand itself failed?
DRB-Hicom should re-introduce the Skoda brand as well!
Skoda branding is near non-existent in this region.
if Proton din pissed off mighty VW. we Msians can enjoy great Skoda Karoq, Skoda Kodiaq, Skoda Octavia n Skoda Superb.
What is skoda?
As with all Golf GTIs, this car will sell like hot cakes. The very best of the hot hatches around
Normally I would not say this. But this car, Im sure will sell well. Three letters GTI.
The best price for this car is RM180k, if ckd. some might say it is a wishful thinking but who have thought DRB will assemble it in Pekan
Nah won’t drop by much, I’m estimating around 220k but then again the GTI doesn’t seem to have any advanced driver assists..
Hmm, in Europe it has Front Assist, Blind Spot Monitor, Rear Traffic Alert, Lane Assist, Park Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control (with fully automatic steering in traffic jams), Park Pilot, Area View and Light Assist? What “advanced driver assists” are you missing?
ckd but cbu price?
really hope they dont dig their own graves this way
This picture is at Kotasas, Kuantan (entrance from Bukit Goh). Saw the driver enter Azalea II residence before Jumaat prayer
Looking good pulak
Ckd prices are actually quite expensive.. The price will be the same as the outgoing model or lowest expeected price of rm210k.. Dont hope for more.. Ckd is to make money for drb not to cheapen the car price for us..
Old sales tactics from DRB themselves throw prices in Malaysia. Alwiz short sighted, DSG problem not settle lg.
if Proton din pissed off mighty VW. we Msians can enjoy great Skoda Karoq, Skoda Kodiaq, Skoda Octavia n Skoda Superb.
What’s so great about a brand that has no presence here? You could say Dodge is a great truck brand in North America but what does it mean to us here in SEA?
CKD with some expensive locally made parts… stickers?