The eight-generation Volkswagen Golf has just been launched in Singapore, making it one of the first nation in the region to receive the model. The Mk.8 Golf is available in two variants at launch in the island nation – a 1.5 eTSI mild hybrid (with three equipment packages – Life, Life Plus, and R-Line), as well as the Golf GTI.
The standard 1.5 eTSI model starts at SGD125,900 (~RM390k) inclusive of COE for the entry-level Life trim level, while the GTI retails for SGD205,900 (~RM639k) inclusive of COE.
Underneath the bonnet of the standard Volkswagen Golf in Singapore is a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine, with an integrated 48V starter-generator that makes 150 hp and 250 Nm in total. The mild hybrid mill is paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch DSG gearbox for a 0-100 km/h time of 8.5 seconds, onward to a top speed of 224 km/h.
The 48V mild hybrid tech allows the all-new Volkswagen Golf to coast with the engine shut down entirely, while providing additional grunt during acceleration. The engine also features the Active Cylinder Management (ACT) system, which switches off half of the four cylinders under lower loads to help lower fuel consumption and emissions.
On that note, Volkswagen boasts a fuel-consumption figure of 4.8 L/100km for the 1.5-litre Golf, which is 0.7 L/100km better than the current 1.4 TSI model here in Malaysia.
The Mk.8 Volkswagen Golf GTI meanwhile features a reworked EA888 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder mill, which makes 245 hp and 370 Nm of torque – a 15 hp and 20 Nm increase from the outgoing Mk7.5 GTI. Just like the regular golf, the GTI is also paired to a seven-speed DSG transmission, as will the eventual Malaysian model – unfortunately no manual gearbox this side of the globe.
Unique to the GTI is the new Vehicle Dynamics Manager, which controls both the XDS electronic differential locks, as well as the Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) for the adaptive dampers. On the latter, the VW Golf GTI comes equipped with a sports suspension setup that’s 15 mm lower in ride height than the standard model.
In terms of kit, the all-new Volkswagen Golf in Singapore comes as standard with LED headlights across the board. The entry-level Life variant gets 17-inch wheels, while the Life Plus and R-Line variants get 18-inch items – the latter with a variant-specific design. The GTI meanwhile, gets even larger 19-inch ‘Adelaide’ wheels to complement its sportier styling.
Moving inside, the 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro instrument cluster is standard across all variants. The Life and Life Plus trim levels come with an 8.25-inch Composition infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, while the R-Line and GTI gets the larger 10.25-inch Discover Pro units with additional wireless smartphone connectivity support.
All variants do however get digital touch sensitive buttons and touchpads for almost every single control surface in the car, including the climate control and lighting – we still maintain that it’s a worse solution than good ol’ regular buttons, but it doesn’t seem like we’ll have a choice at all.
Individual pricing for the other variants will only be announced tomorrow, following COE bidding results. The new Volkswagen Golf 8 and Golf GTI in Singapore will be available for sale at showrooms starting from 20 May, with first customer deliveries expected to begin by June.
Closer to home, the eight-generation Volkswagen Golf has already been spotted multiple times doing rounds around the country – which means the official launch here in Malaysia is also not too far away.
No further information have been revealed just yet aside from a teaser on Volkswagen Passenger Car Malaysia’s Instagram page, but word on the streets is that the all-new model will be locally-assembled here in Pekan, Pahang – which means we’ll potentially see a price drop from the current Mk7.5 model!
