2020 Volkswagen Golf Mk8 Fully Revealed In Official Images

[cawimmer430]

Is the center light bar an optional thing?

On the GTE? It seems like it's exclusive to that model to highlight the EV/plug-in hybrid function.

[Laconian]

OMG car mesh networking is finally coming. Fantastic.

The drag coefficient is amazingly low, but it seems to have come at the cost of the Golf's boxy and airy character.

[Eye of the Tiger]

OMG car mesh networking is finally coming. Fantastic.

The drag coefficient is amazingly low, but it seems to have come at the cost of the Golf's boxy and airy character.

I will take low drag over styling all day, every day.

[12,000 RPM]

Galaxy is right, the A/C controls appear to be physical buttons below the digital touch screen. I've heard from other sources that the new Golf has voice control (like the MBUX system) which means you could also order the computer to turn on the A/C, heating, switch to a specific radio station etc.

That should work well with a screaming baby, or a loud road, or laryngitis

[r0tor]

Infotainment based hvac is the answer to the question nobody asked for or needed

[Laconian]

I will take low drag over styling all day, every day.

You feel the boxiness on the inside too. Golfs feel nice and airy, with great outward visibility.

I'll take a lower coefficient of drag too, personally. Less wind noise and better c0asting performance.

[Galaxy]

Is the center light bar an optional thing?

It does seem to be only on some models/packages, since it is not on every car.

[Payman]

It has an understated handsomeness to it.  Clean lines, good proportions, functional shape, yet doesn't look like it completely abandoned form for function.  Not a huge departure from the MkVII.  A little sportier in some of the details.

HVAC in the infotainment is no bueno, though.  Those of us in cold climates who wear gloves when we drive do not appreciate having to remove our gloves to switch on the defrost in the morning.

Looks like there's physical defrost buttons to the left of the steering wheel.

[12,000 RPM]

Infotainment based hvac is the answer to the question nobody asked for or needed

Maximum showroom appeal for the screen addicted car buying public.

[Raza]

As long as the Golf R retains a real manual, I can easily see this being my next car.  I really like the MkVII Golf R, but I'm hoping the VIII has a manual and a sunroof and I'll buy it.  Even if it doesn't have a sunroof, I'll deal with it.  But no manual and I'm out. 

[12,000 RPM]

This is a war you are choosing to lose

Cars don't need 3 pedals to be fun.

[2o6]

This is a war you are choosing to lose

Cars don't need 3 pedals to be fun.

Just because you gave up on life doesn't mean the rest of us have to

[CaminoRacer]

1 pedal driving is where it's at

[Raza]

This is a war you are choosing to lose

I may be on the losing side.  Doesn't mean it's the wrong one.

Cars don't need 3 pedals to be fun.

Maybe that's true.  I've yet to experience an automatic car that was as fun as a comparable car with a manual.  But how about I like manuals better?  Or is that a problem with you too? 

[GoCougs]

Golf R with a manual is a rather lackluster affair. Dat lag. Turbo motors are mos def better with DCT or 8ZF.

[12,000 RPM]

Just because you gave up on life doesn't mean the rest of us have to

I'd argue that whittling life down to a 3rd pedal in your car is giving up I will have a stickshift car again one day.

Maybe that's true.  I've yet to experience an automatic car that was as fun as a comparable car with a manual.

Because you have made your mind up that automatic can't be fun. When it comes to cars you are very closed-minded.

But how about I like manuals better?  Or is that a problem with you too?

Everyone likes manuals better, except maybe Wimmer. The difference is everyone doesn't whine about their lack of availability at every given opportunity. That's the only thing I have a "problem" with.

Plus while I wouldn't go as far as to say the R is lackluster without the DSG, a case can definitely be made for the DSG over the manual in terms of driving fun.

[veeman]

Golf R with a manual is a rather lackluster affair. Dat lag. Turbo motors are mos def better with DCT or 8ZF.

The Honda Civic Type R and I think the Subaru WRX are turbo.  I'm sure they could be driven faster with a DCT or other fancy pants automatic but, I think their manual transmissions are well suited to the car. 

[SJ_GTI]

Not surprisingly I am with Raza on this one. The only reason I am in Golf R (instead of an S3) is because it had a manual.

Is the manual faster? No...I would even say its not a particularly good match to the engine...but I definitely prefer it. I'm not sure what my next car will be...but if available I would assume it will also be a manual.

[Raza]

Because you have made your mind up that automatic can't be fun. When it comes to cars you are very closed-minded.

Okay.

Everyone likes manuals better, except maybe Wimmer. The difference is everyone doesn't whine about their lack of availability at every given opportunity. That's the only thing I have a "problem" with.

The internet is 30% whining, 70% porn.  Without whining, this place would become a very confusing porn site.

Plus while I wouldn't go as far as to say the R is lackluster without the DSG, a case can definitely be made for the DSG over the manual in terms of driving fun.

You can make the case that the Golf R is faster with the DSG and better suited for the track, sure.  I don't know if that correlates to driving fun as strongly as you'd think.

[Eye of the Tiger]

It's more fun to drive a slow manual than a fast autotragic, all other things being equal.

[12,000 RPM]

You can make the case that the Golf R is faster with the DSG and better suited for the track, sure.  I don't know if that correlates to driving fun as strongly as you'd think.

I didn't say anything about the track I just think your binary attitude towards manuals is a bit silly. Why fret over the availability of the manual in the Golf R when you can pick up a manual Mitsubishi Mirage? 3 pedals = fun, 2 pedals = bad.

[2o6]

Cool. But he *wants a manual* I don't understand how this is so complicated.

[12,000 RPM]

Fair enough

[CaminoRacer]

Cool. But he *wants a manual* I don't understand how this is so complicated.

Someone on the internet is wrong & needs a correction. Carspin is here to help.

[veeman]

I like my 5 speed manual Crosstrek even though it's geared too low or really needs a 6th gear to keep RPM lower on the highway and improve gas mileage.  The newer Crosstrek has a 6 speed although the take rate on the manual Crosstreks is probably in the single digit percentage. Fuel economy is significantly worse on my Crosstrek compared with the automatic.  I average 23 mpg.

I like it because it's fun, driving a low hp manual let's you use wide open throttle on local roads without driving like an asshat, l get into interesting conversations about it whenever I give someone a ride, and it's Dad's car.  Wife doesn't know how to drive it.  No switching seating positions, mirrors, hvac setting, moving lipstick from the center storage, etc.  If I had stop and go traffic on the highway to work everyday I'd probably get rid of it because that's super annoying.

[GoCougs]

The Honda Civic Type R and I think the Subaru WRX are turbo.  I'm sure they could be driven faster with a DCT or other fancy pants automatic but, I think their manual transmissions are well suited to the car. 

I was referring to lag, not performance necessarily; i.e., the feel of the thing. With a slushie automatic or DCT lag is mitigated to some extent.

The G felt like it had the throttle response of an F1 car after spending time in a M/T Golf R.

[Eye of the Tiger]

I was referring to lag, not performance necessarily; i.e., the feel of the thing. With a slushie automatic or DCT lag is mitigated to some extent.

The G felt like it had the throttle response of an F1 car after spending time in a M/T Golf R.

Free, emissions legal anti-lag system: keep your right foot on the floor. Buy shares of your favourite clutch manufacturer.

[Raza]

I didn't say anything about the track I just think your binary attitude towards manuals is a bit silly. Why fret over the availability of the manual in the Golf R when you can pick up a manual Mitsubishi Mirage? 3 pedals = fun, 2 pedals = bad.

You're the one making it a binary, not me. And I even specifically said "comparable car" anticipating your silly Mitsubishi Mirage argument.

[Raza]

Free, emissions legal anti-lag system: keep your right foot on the floor. Buy shares of your favourite clutch manufacturer.

F40 has turbo lag. I'm fine with it.

[Eye of the Tiger]

F40 has turbo lag. I'm fine with it.

More than you can afford pal.