Car and Driver - USA (2019-12)

A six-speed manual will be standard
on all gasoline models sold in Europe.
The more powerful gasoline versions
will have the option of a seven-speed
dual-clutch automatic, which will work
with a 48-volt hybrid system through
a belt-connected starter-generator.
The Old World will also see two plug-in
hybrids, but we’re told those aren’t
likely to come stateside. Oh, and there
won’t be a new version of the rarely
purchased e-Golf. VW reckons its new
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The Golf Mark 8’s exterior is famil-
iar but with harder creases in the sheet-
metal and narrower, meaner-looking
head- and taillights. The major innova-
tion is inside, where VW has installed
a touchscreen interface that replaces
most conventional buttons with iPad-

REVEAL OF THE MONTH

like controls. Even base cars will have

an 8.3-inch touchscreen in the middle

of the dashboard. Many functions can

be controlled by what VW describes

as “sliders.” Swiping left or right in the

appointed area on the center console

will adjust the temperature, and moving

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ent panel will open or close the sunroof.

14

LITTLE ENGINES, BIG WORLD

WIDTH Mk 7: 70.8 in Mk 8: 70.4 in

CAPACITY FUEL POWER TRANSMISSION COMING TO THE U.S?
1.0-liter Gas 89 hp Manual No
1.0-liter Gas 108 hp Manual/Auto No
2.0-liter Diesel 113 hp Manual/Auto No
1.5-liter Gas 128 hp Manual/Auto Possibly
1.5-liter Gas 148 hp Manual/Auto Possibly
2.0-liter Diesel 148 hp Manual/Auto No
1.4-liter Gas PHEV 201 hp Auto No
1.4-liter Gas PHEV 242 hp Auto No, GTE
2.0-liter Gas 250+ hp Manual/Auto Yes, GTI
2.0-liter Gas 295+ hp Auto Yes, R

WHEELBASE Mk 7: 103.8 in Mk 8: 103.8 in

LENGTH Mk 7: 167.6 in Mk 8: 168.7 in

THE SPORTING LIFE

—

Beyond confirming it will

exist, Volkswagen has

dropped little informa-

tion about the next GTI.

We know it’s definitely a

separate model from the

plug-in-hybrid GTE and

that it will stick with a

turbo 2.0-liter engine,

likely with an output of

at least 250 horsepower.

Golf R fans will be happy

to know that VW has

promised more than the

Mark 7’s 288 horses.

A sharp crease

cuts down the side

of the otherwise

familiar Golf.

*C/D est