Volkswagen is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Golf, by releasing an enhanced and updated version of its eighth generation GTI model.

Back in March 1974, the first series Golf came off the assembly line at the VW plant in Wolfsburg, Germany and marked the start of a new front-mounted engine and front-wheel drive era. It was such a roaring success that VW had already produced its millionth Golf by October 1976 and to date, more than 37 million have been sold across eight generations of the model.

Fifty years on, while the recognisable Golf hatchback design has become less boxy over the five decades, there have been a few tweaks made here to distinguish it from more recent predecessors. The new Golf GTI features a sharper front end, 3D light graphics on the tail light clusters and, for the first time, an illuminated VW badge on the front.

Bespoke GTI details such as the red stripe and honeycomb insert on the reshaped grille have been added and the car sits on 17-inch alloy wheels, with 19-inch available if desired. Potential customers will also get the choice of 11 different paint colours including four metallic ones.

Inside, the GTI look is prominent with sporty seats, plenty of GTI badging and red stitching on the steering wheel. For the first time on a GTI, there is the option of carbon fibre trim and the seats can even be upholstered in trademark check patterning.

Volkswagen’s fourth-generation infotainment system, MIB4, has been introduced to the anniversary model and boasts faster processing time, updated menus and better quality graphics through the standard 10.4-inch or optional 12.9-inch touchscreen display. Air conditioning, phone and navigation - and even weather updates - are controlled by a new voice assistant powered by ChatGPT.

Another neat feature is the Park Assist Plus system which, when driven past, detects whether a space (parallel or bay) is large enough to park in and starts the procedure for you.

New to the party for the Golf is a plug-in hybrid powertrain that offers increased power and an electric range of around 100km (62 miles) and is equipped with a DC quick charging function. For people without a wall box charger at home, the efficient 48 V mild hybrid version is recommended, while turbocharged petrol and turbocharged diesel variants will also be available in the launch phase.

The ninth-generation Golf will be all-electric, so its 2024 model is something of a farewell to a petrol-powered stalwart of the hatchback world.

The 2024 Golf GTI is due in the UK in April with prices yet to be announced.

words: Mike Booth
pictures: Volkswagen