Who’s swapping their Mk7/7.5 then...

[mcmaddy]

Looks like a Renault Mégane! Have all of the vag designers been sacked from the previous models??

[ar899]

Just saw the A3 launch as well. Does look nice on the outside but, as with the Golf/Leon/Octavia, not liking the interior. They're all on the same theme. I like a proper centre console (ie 7.5) and not this 'hollowed out' appearance. A Class and 1er same general approach.

[Clubsport S]

The new GTI. Worth a look.......

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JfH7onfq4zk&feature=youtu.be

[mcmaddy]

The front end just doesn't look right. Droopy bonnet 🤷‍♂️

[kalpsn2000]

The new GTI. Worth a look.......

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JfH7onfq4zk&feature=youtu.be

Now that is more interesting! Growing on me slightly more already 

[Exonian]

Definitely prefer the A3 to the Golf right now.
Neither are design classics in a good way but I guess they stylists have to work around regulations, hence all the current crop of hatches from all manufacturers look quite samey with awkward angles at the front and too many creases.
Meh.

[Hertsman]

The new GTI. Worth a look.......

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JfH7onfq4zk&feature=youtu.be

The R will be the car to get if really want the styling to add up as to have some large air scoops where them awful KIA/Renault fog lights are will definitely create a more balanced front end, naturally breaking up that huge expanse of grinning plastic that dominates the eye at present.

[SRGTD]

The new GTI. Worth a look.......

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JfH7onfq4zk&feature=youtu.be

The R will be the car to get if really want the styling to add up as to have some large air scoops where them awful KIA/Renault fog lights are will definitely create a more balanced front end, naturally breaking up that huge expanse of grinning plastic that dominates the eye at present.

If the front end styling of the mk8 Golf R follows the front end styling of the T-Roc R - which it probably will, it wouldn’t win any prizes in a car beauty contest IMO. It does look quite aggressive though;

https://www.netcarshow.com/volkswagen/2020-t-roc_r/1024x768/wallpaper_01.htm

[Hertsman]

The new GTI. Worth a look.......

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JfH7onfq4zk&feature=youtu.be

The R will be the car to get if really want the styling to add up as to have some large air scoops where them awful KIA/Renault fog lights are will definitely create a more balanced front end, naturally breaking up that huge expanse of grinning plastic that dominates the eye at present.

If the front end styling of the mk8 Golf R follows the front end styling of the T-Roc R - which it probably will, it wouldn’t win any prizes in a car beauty contest IMO. It does look quite aggressive though;

https://www.netcarshow.com/volkswagen/2020-t-roc_r/1024x768/wallpaper_01.htm

 

Its definitely better, but admit it does make for an even wider grin! 

Here is the MK 8 Golf R in wild https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/motor-shows-geneva-motor-show/new-2020-volkswagen-golf-r-seen-without-disguise - front does look better with the air scoops.

One observation and it may just be the photos, but the rear section looks over long on them side views?

[Rimp]

I really dislike the new Golf GTI,

Firstly......as somebody in this thread already said... when I first saw a Mk7 I instantly thought it looked good. even in non GT spec they aren't bad looking cars. With the Mk8 so few people thought the base spec ones looked good. The internet was full of people saying "well maybe they might be able to make the GTI/R look better"

now its here and people have changed their quote to saying "well hopefully it will grow on me if I see enough of them on the road". That's personally just not good enough for the next evolution of a car we all clearly enjoy in this forum.

However, taste is subjective, so if the new look is your cup of tea then I'm happy for you.

Secondly.... it looks cheap. The cost cutting from VW vs the face lift Mk7 isn't nice to see. Especially when they are charging more for the car. I know non of the following things on their own are worth getting pissy over but all added up they take away from the car especially when the "more budget" versions of the car are now suddenly looking more premium (Octavia RSiV, Cupra Leon).

1.No longer has a gas strut for the bonnet. has an old school rod to hold the bonnet open.
2.Engine cover is just black and blank. no VW/TSI/GTI or anything
3.Back up key holes no longer have the removable cover now to make the door handles look flush
4.The front grille is too open and flimsy in the centre and too much solid plastic around those weird DTRL. makes the large gap between the grille and the super visible radiator look too big and empty and just less solid than the Mk7 grille.
5. The rear "defuser" type area is the opposite... its just a blob of cheap black plastic like car bumpers were back the early 2000's when colour coded bumpers were a thing to celebrate on an options list. (though at least it has real exhausts)
6.I'm a fan of one piece seats. but these ones look cheap, the stitching around the headrest wasn't as good as the older 2 piece Mk7 and a single piece seat is cheaper to make than a 2 piece so no excuse.
7. the instrument hood is far bigger than the screen displaying the instruments. the gap around the screen is loads more piano black plastic. either make the screen bigger or design the hood to be a better fit.
8. the centre console around the DSG selector is just more plastic with little design.
9.the retractable cover over the cup holders has now gone.

I know its a VW and not an Audi, but VW has always been a bit of a step up from Seat, Skoda, Ford, Renault, Vauxhall in terms of build and premium-ness but this version just doesn't appear to be that midpoint, anymore, between those brands and the likes of Audi,BMW,Merc