Who’s swapping their Mk7/7.5 then...

[fredgroves]

A salesman told me a month ago that the GTI 8 will have 'little standard kit' as it will sell anyway. I don't expect the standard kit to be that measly but it probably won't be as well specced as an MY20 7.5 GTI PP.

I would expect at launch that like every model before it that the "standard" kit will be less at launch at as its life goes on to include more things to attact buyers to an "old" model before you get ultimately to run out version where everything including the kitchen sink is "given for free" (it isn't free).

On the other hand, like I wrote earlier:

1) Its talking about Germany and not UK yet.
2) Its competing with a BMW that is fully loaded...

Also I might add that if VW are making factory fitted options that require actually building differently and not just software activating by the user after purchase then every single possible permuation needs WLTP figures. Which is why a lot of OEM's are moving away from the idea of specific hardware builds but doing the enablement in software post purchase or even (like SEAT) not offering options at all.

[DTX3]

Hell no. Its damn ugly from the front. Those wheels  Rear is ok. So disappointed

[fredgroves]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHOeIfUMgEE

"Optional automatic cruise control"

I think quite a lot of this is going to be activated from the "shop" button on the MIB.... well, activated by the button and your credit card.

[Jim_mk7.5]

Seems to have provoked plenty of thoughts... Not many positive ones though.

I literally can't believe they are fitting the Bridgestones again.. Seriously.

[fredgroves]

Seems to have provoked plenty of thoughts... Not many positive ones though.

Well.... I put off my BMW purchase to wait and see about this.... I'm still not discounting having one but it depends on the UK spec and price.

A definitely maybe from me.

[kalpsn2000]

Like a lot of new models they require some time to 'grow on you'. Also seeing it in the flesh in your preferred colour can change your view.

Based on the couple of pics here I'm not a fan.

As a very recent mk7.5 owner I'm even more happier now

[monkeyhanger]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHOeIfUMgEE

"Optional automatic cruise control"

I think quite a lot of this is going to be activated from the "shop" button on the MIB.... well, activated by the button and your credit card.

Presumably to duck under the luxury tax threshold - buy your bare bones Golf GTI MK8 for £39995 and 2 weeks after registration spend on your card to activate the hardware already there or that has been designed to be a doddle for the dealership to retrofit.

The car makers should just be honest about the pricing  Sell a "£40k" car with £3k dealership contribution for £37k rather than discounting an inflated price to give the impression of a bargain that isn't there.

Marketing has worked well recently with the TCR's ridiculous RRP counteracted by the "free" finance offer. Charge £4k more for the car vs it's nearest equivalent predecessor (CS? TCR matches CS on permanent overboost) but give £4k finance saving.

I think they're going to have to discount MK8 Golfs heavily to outsell the Series 1 equivalent. The 1 series has gotten a little less ugly and the Golf has got more ugly. BMW won't make you wait an eternity for a performance model either. From what I've seen on paper, I'd pick the BMW.

[monkeyhanger]

Like a lot of new models they require some time to 'grow on you'. Also seeing it in the flesh in your preferred colour can change your view.

Based on the couple of pics here I'm not a fan.

As a very recent mk7.5 owner I'm even more happier now

Accept rather than grow on you? There was a hell of a lot more enthusiasm for the incoming MK7, no one thought it was ugly.

[kalpsn2000]

Like a lot of new models they require some time to 'grow on you'. Also seeing it in the flesh in your preferred colour can change your view.

Based on the couple of pics here I'm not a fan.

As a very recent mk7.5 owner I'm even more happier now

Accept rather than grow on you? There was a hell of a lot more enthusiasm for the incoming MK7, no one thought it was ugly.

Yeah guess so

As already mentioned in another post it can depend on how the predecessor was perceived. The MK7 was a great improvement on the MK6 so the MK8 has more to live up to.

[fredgroves]

I think they're going to have to discount MK8 Golfs heavily to outsell the Series 1 equivalent. The 1 series has gotten a little less ugly and the Golf has got more ugly. BMW won't make you wait an eternity for a performance model either. From what I've seen on paper, I'd pick the BMW.

Did you see what I wrote earlier about how this needs to be at least as loaded and priced slightly under the M135i if anyone is not going to opt for more power and AWD of the BMW?

I am not paying as much as a M135i for a GTI. I simply am not.

I don't care about post-purchase activation of features - not if its going to cost me more - I can't lease or PCP a post-purchase activation - thats cold hard cash.