In a surprise move, Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has given the media a preview of the Volkswagen Golf Mk8. The backdrop you see here is the paddy fields of Sekinchan, an unusual location for a media gathering. This was coming, as VPCM opened registration of interest for the Mk8 Golf and teased it earlier this month, just that we didn’t expect it today.
We have here the eighth generation Golf in two flavours – the R-Line in white and the iconic GTI in red. Both will be launched in the first quarter of 2022 (which is just around the corner) in CKD locally assembled form. While CKD Volkswagens rolling out of Pekan aren’t a new thing – having started in 2011 with the B7 Passat – this is the first time that the Golf is being assembled here. It’s a big deal, especially for the GTI, which was only ever made in Germany and China.
Some are already licking their lips at the prospect of lowered CKD prices, but we have no indication from VPCM, for now. The CBU Golf Mk7.5 was launched in 2019; then, the 1.4 TSI R-Line went for RM166,990 while the GTI was priced at RM239,990.
To the cars. We don’t have a spec sheet, or any official info for that matter, but we’ll try our best via eyesight and questions. This post is about the GTI – there’s a separate piece on the 1.4L R-Line.
The eighth iteration of the hot hatch that started it all continues to be powered by an EA888 2.0L TSI engine, now making 245 PS and 370 Nm of torque. That’s an increase of 15 PS and 20 Nm from the regular Mk7.5 GTI, and on par with the Performance Pack version of that car. A six-speed manual is an option elsewhere, but we get the seven-speed DSG dual-clutch transmission sending power to the front wheels.
The R-Line’s 1.4L TSI engine makes 150 PS and 250 Nm, so the GTI is clearly a big step up in the Golf performance ladder – that step is 95 PS and 120 Nm in height, and with the quicker DSG gearbox too (R-Line now with 8AT). The hot hatch completes the 0-100 km/h sprint in 6.4 seconds (same as our Mk7.5 GTI) and top speed is 250 km/h.
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. Bigger brake discs with red calipers, too.
As for kit, the GTI gets LED Plus headlights (without the red strip, which is reserved for the IQ.Light matrix units) and upgraded LED taillights, as well as a set of 18-inch “Richmond” alloys. GTI-specific touches include the trademark red strip on the grille and a honeycomb mesh for the lower grille – unfortunately without the five-point LED fog light option available in other markets.
The GTI is as understated as performance hatchbacks come – also because our range starts from the R-Line, which the GTI look builds on – but you can easily spot one from the twin chrome exhaust pipes (unlike the R-Line, these are real, one on each side), a slightly more pointy rear wing (barely visible), and the rear GTI badge, which replaces the central Golf wording below the VW emblem.
Inside the Mk8’s newly minimalist cabin, you’ll find perforated leather sport seats (tartan is cool, but leather is what buyers of a RM200k car expect here), a fully digital instrument cluster (with GTI-specific red gauges) and the latest MIB3-powered touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
It’s all very modern and digital in here – the only knob you’ll find is for the wing mirrors; the lighting controls and cluster between the central AC vents are touch sensitive. The buttons on the steering are also capacitive.
Like the exterior, there aren’t GTI-only cues everywhere you look in the cabin, but there’s a flat-bottomed three-spoke steering wheel with a red accent and GTI logo. As you’d expect, the interior theme is all-black, including the pillars and headlining. Red piping and stitching can be found on the grey-black seats, but not the steering. Gear knob? There isn’t much of a gear knob to wrap in the Mk8, just a small protrusion on the sloping centre console. There’s also some honeycomb trim on the dashboard, which is a nice sporty touch.
In terms of safety, the GTI gets the usual six airbags, ABS and ESP. However, it doesn’t come with any driver assist tech like autonomous emergency braking (AEB). VPCM said that it is working to bring ADAS to its cars, but looks like it hasn’t made it to the Golf. One thing of note is that there are Isofix points on the front passenger seat, not just the rear seats.
VPCM says that CKD locally assembled Golf Mk8 range will be launched “very very soon”, most probably in the first quarter of next year. No price yet, but the CBU Mk7.5 GTI had a 2019 launch price of RM239,990, so you can start guessing from there. So, what do you think of the latest chapter of the Golf GTI story?
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
“six airbags, ABS and ESP”
What? Is this a joke? I get that this is a “driver’s car” and whatnot, but it’s a very daily-able car. Skimping on autonomous safety features when a Myvi FL high spec has the full suite of ASA 3.0 is an unfortunate business decision.
If you don’t know the true purpose of this pocket rocket, better stick to your Myvi.
I just mentioned that it’s a driver’s car, but it can be used as a daily driver, and that is why consumers should expect it to be decked out with daily convenience and safety features.
People like you who settle for less are precisely why manufacturers can afford to keep running away with kosong spec cars. Competition is good, even if it’s against a Myvi.
A Lotus Evora has none of those but no one will say it is a inferior car compared to your Myvi. The GTI goes for different customers and thus equipped to fill those customer’s needs, not your own Myvi fulfilling donkey driver specs.
Would having all the safety features make the car less a driver’s car??
On the track, all these safety features (which cannot be turned off) will impair your drivability to get up real close to others. For these cars, ADAS is unnecessary or worse a hindrance so why pay for something useless.
Favourite hatch is back
DSG? Yay, back in business
German beast
the interface is a nightmare
That touch screen full of problem..go check out youtube reviews
Great car but the cheap interior is a letdown for a 200k++ car. Hope the prices come down a fair bit because VCPM will definitely hike the price when they start putting in driver assist systems.
You do realize RM200K+ is because of government taxes right?
RM199k…. 8-)
Good way to start the new year. I hope they bring the Golf R also and CKD it in Malaysia. If the price is 30k less than the Mark7.5, lot of people will be buying this.
once an affordable city car, but now an expensive tool with nothing relevant to offer. golf in 70s was a cheap, cheerful daily car with driving dynamics like an executive saloon. golf today is overpriced, gti model is still fabric seats (pure marketing gimmick when they should have offered leather seats) and most of the features are already available on a cheaper cars like Myvi and even X50. a joke.
I assume you know how to read the article;
[Inside the Mk8’s newly minimalist cabin, you’ll find perforated leather sport seats (tartan is cool, but leather is what buyers of a RM200k car expect here)]
The compact hatchback need to get AEB, ACC too
That bulky Rims design! No Harman Kardon sound system, No red stripe in headlight (non-sequential indicator light). VW Malaysia should be first in the world removed the five-point LED fog light in Mk8 GTI. Yet is CKD locally assembled form. What a shame.
Those fog lights are optional throughout the world, so VPCM is not the “first in the world” in that sense.
If optional is provided in Malaysia.
Just in case you don’t aware there are few workshops in Malaysia provide genuine retrofit gadgets. You can install AEB, ACC, lane keep assist, blind spot, fog lamp, sound system, digital cluster and many more. We blame VPCM not bring in full ADAS and accessories but it is lucky can retrofit outside. For Japanese and Korea car if the carmakers don’t provide full ADAS it is nearly impossible to retrofit outside and no add on option too.
Front end design looks great on the mark 8. But the standard spec seems like downgraded compare with Euro version. Hope Volkswagen Malaysia give the optional accessories such as HarmonKardon sound system, headlamp with red line, 19″ rims and LED fog lights.
For same $$$, better get Civic TypeR more refined and way more powerful. VtecKickedinYo’
What? A civic type R is more refined? what are u smoking dear….the only hot hatch but also a family car is THE GTI…period!
Nope, based on tests done overseas, the GTI beat the Civic Type R in speed, drag and road.
If you’ve actually driven the type R, you would never say that.
The Type R and the GTI are not even the same $$$. Not to mention quite a big gap apart as well
wtf??….no advance safety like AEB….Spore VW got this why are we not getting those safety equipments?? Its a 200k plus2 car!!
Better take the ETS if you don’t know what a sports car is.
The Golf even in its R form is far from a “sports car”. A 718 or 911 or even a Mazda Miata/MX-5 is a sports car. This is a hot hatch. Like it or not safety features are front and center even for people who enjoy sporty driving. Sure when you doing spirited driving please turn off all the safety features, but when you’re stuck in traffic or putting around town these features are amazing.
A 200k plus car without AEB???
AEB is for those retarded drivers…haaa
lmao imagine crying for not having AEB in a pocket rocket, yall should go back to driving school hahaha
Unless it’s a clubsport GTI,
Otherwise a GTI is not very fast and has slow nurburgring record too.
Better think twice If you want to win races @ Sepang.
Looks like the new WRX will have better spec on papers and give this guy a good competition.
Those complaining no AEB and ASA should just go buy Myvi because you don’t need those thing if you are a good driver. Gti or any hot hatch driver should have decent driving skills and stay alert on the road without relying on too much electronics gimmicks.
I am Gti driver who hate those electronics interrupting my driving while I am enjoying my car. I even prefer the Mk5 that you can fully turn off the ESP than newer version Golf.