Ok, trying to drag this to a sensible discussion about the future:
I'd like to see it transition to a hybrid without losing ~270bhp and gaining massive weight, but I've got two hopes for that!
Its going to gain at least 100kg by adding 48v mild hybrid battery and systems, which isn't going to help handling at all... probably more like 250kg.
The deadlines are 2025 (Norway) but 2030 in Germany and France, 2040 in the UK, so I'd assume a Mk8 will need to be a hybrid.
And:
http://europe.autonews.com/article/20170923/ANE/170929892/vw-psa-volvo-others-adopt-48-volt-mild-hybrids-in-response-to-dieselSo VAG definitely going for it...
From that article:
In 2021, the key EU emissions goal drops to 95 grams of CO2 per km from its current 130 grams - a challenge exacerbated by the replacement of standard lab tests with on-the-road "real driving emissions" measurements.
So there is a double whammy that is coming with the new target and Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP)...
Euro VII is also just around the corner, which is interesting because the current obsession with NOx and particles is the polar engineering opposite to reducing CO2!
I suggest getting your petrol fumes fix ASAP, because its rapidly going to be a thing of the past!