On the inside, however, VW has gone for an all-out overhaul – depending, of course, on the buyer’s choices.
Among the new options now available are a completely digital cockpit and a touchscreen in the centre console, which also reacts to non-contact gestures.
Also new are apps for the online infotainment system, as well as additional functions for the driver assistance systems.
An improved traffic jam autopilot and stabilizer are expected to play a key role for future incarnations of the Golf, which will aim to be at least partly autonomously driven in stop-and-go traffic at speeds of up to 60 kilometres per hour.
Once the facelift is implemented across the board, VW promises a choice of 13 engine variants in total, including natural gas drive and plug-in hybrid versions, as well as the E-Golf.
While the classic 2.0-litre diesel engine – with either 150hp or 184hp – stays the same, VW nonetheless has a few innovations on hand in the petrol-engine department.
The base engine is a new three-cylinder petrol with 85hp. A 150-hp 1.5-litre engine will replace the previous 1.4-litre, and will soon have an additional option of a slightly toned-down 130 hp engine.
As usual, the GTI models will also offer some extra muscle: according to the manufacturer, the normal GTI will top out at 230hp while the GTI Performance model will reach up to 245hp.
VW is also introducing a new dual-clutch transmission with seven gears instead of six, which should reduce fuel consumption by up to 0.3 litres per 100 km. The subtly upgraded Golf is set to arrive at dealerships with a starting price of just under 18,000 euros (around RM86,000).
