Golf 8.5 - you saw it here first!

[SRGTD]

VW UK heavily promoting their deal for ‘in stock’ Golfs with a £3k deposit contribution and 5.9% APR for the latter end of November again pointing towards a model run down, as does a lot of the current dealer stock cars having leather and sunroofs as they clear parts.
Makes me think a 2nd quarter 2024 full launch for the revised car(?)

I think you’re probably right.

I’ve not read the Auto Express article at the link posted by @Dogman12, but historically, Auto Express haven’t been renowned for the accuracy of content in some of their articles. I’d therefore take any launch or sale dates they may have quoted with a pinch of salt.

Based on VW’s track record with the mk8, the cynic in me thinks a Q2 2024 launch would hopefully give VW time to sort out any software problems that they might have inadvertently ‘designed’ into the car .

[fredgroves]

2nd quarter 2024 for the "launch" which will be anything but performance models.

Q3 for performance books opening. Dealer stock orders arrive in December 2024/January 2025.

Customer factory orders start arriving from June 2025.

[Dogman12]

2nd quarter 2024 for the "launch" which will be anything but performance models.

Q3 for performance books opening. Dealer stock orders arrive in December 2024/January 2025.

Customer factory orders start arriving from June 2025.

Where the info from?

[SRGTD]

2nd quarter 2024 for the "launch" which will be anything but performance models.

Q3 for performance books opening. Dealer stock orders arrive in December 2024/January 2025.

Customer factory orders start arriving from June 2025.

Yes, based on previous model launches, that seems to be a realistic timescale for customer factory orders for performance models.

[fredgroves]

2nd quarter 2024 for the "launch" which will be anything but performance models.

Q3 for performance books opening. Dealer stock orders arrive in December 2024/January 2025.

Customer factory orders start arriving from June 2025.

Where the info from?

Just having been around Golf launches for a while now.... thats the pattern it follows.

And that assumes they manage to fix problems like component assemblies from Ukraine and flooding in the Czech republic.

[jon87]

I can definitely understand that timeline from a new model perspective, but seems excessive for a facelift where customer orders get delivered from mid 2025. Although, I haven't followed timelines of previous facelifts closely enough tbh. Will be interesting once more details start to emerge.

[fredgroves]

They normally do their retooling over the August factory shutdown.... which is another factor in my timeline btw. They won't be making ANY Mk8.5 until after the summer shutdown. (thats manufacturing for you - my world!)

It does seem a little of an excessive timeline but you have to remember its largely driven by media speculation that makes you aware before the announce date.

If you weren't to hear about it until mid 2024 (Q2) and they told you "performance models will follow", followed by Q3 them becoming available to order (12 weeks later).... i don't think 6 months for a new model and a factory order sounds extreme.

It just sounds extreme because you are hearing about rumours of it a year before the official announcement!

[Exonian]

Has this one been posted before here?

https://youtu.be/PuhSRnnIAGg?si=WriWg-rk2eawQnm9

[Dogman12]

https://www.carscoops.com/2023/11/facelifted-vw-golf-variant-to-look-more-like-the-passat-than-ever-before/

[Dogman12]

https://www.autoevolution.com/news/mind-the-camo-2025-vw-golf-r-variant-spied-in-europe-feeling-at-home-on-snow-and-ice-226146.html