Who’s swapping their Mk7/7.5 then...

[fredgroves]

It's not even a "real buttons are easier to use thing" for me - its just that this really looks like one of those futuristic pod things from some sci-fi movie - literally no stuff at all inside.

Like this:



(Thats not a Golf, I am just illustrating the weird spaceness idea)

I did a double take when i first looked in, thinking that it was just a mockup with no real interior at all - I'd imagine that if the car was a DSG variant even less would be visible!

[Jim_mk7.5]

The Tesla Model 3 is definitely the extreme end of sparse. For me, the new Octavia looks like a better step in that direction whilst still keeping some actual buttons, unlike the Golf.

[Exonian]

Maybe if German car designers are looking towards Swedish minimalism they should take note of a Saab Viggen fighter jet interior. A few buttons here and there...

I like minimalist.
But it needs to be done right.

[kmpowell]

R-Line is now on the UK Configurator. From the pricing so far I think it’s fairly obvious the GTI will be starting at £35k-£36k minimum, possibly £37k if they lump up the price as they have done with the Up GTI.

[Guzzle]

What makes it obvious? The Mk8 R Line is about £600 more than the outgoing model in R Line Edition trim.

I'd expect VW to price it the same way they've always done, which is a bit more than offerings from Ford, Vauxhall, Renault etc. What will be more interesting is what is included as standard equipment.

[mistac]

I didn’t even realise Mark 8,swere in the showroom. There isn’t any in my local one  when I passed an hour or two back. They must’ve brought them in a bit earlier than planned as I’m sure I read elsewhere they were not due into approx  end of mar / beg of April

[ar899]

A lot of journos seem to think that the base Mark 8 GTI will be around 30k.

[fredgroves]

That will be based on a German price is my suggestion.

[Jim_mk7.5]

A well specced R Line in Mk7.5 was always as much or more than a GTI so there’s no change there.

No point jumping to conclusions and anyway, thought everyone hated the Mk8?! 

For reference, the latest evo news article on the GTI models  stated:

As for pricing, VW is yet to confirm the exact figures. What it will say is that prices shouldn’t move too significantly away from the current structure, where the equivalent Golf GTI Performance starts at £32,135 in five-door form.

[monkeyhanger]

That will be based on a German price is my suggestion.

Where 17" wheels are standard and everything is an  extra.

Considering the extra kit that UK soec gets, £30k German spec could quite easily translate to a minimum of £35k for the UK.