Golf 8.5 - you saw it here first!

[SRGTD]

I still don't understand the stuck on iPad look, especially with all the space underneath. Integrate it into the dash and stop being lazy, the 2020 3 series made a great job of it along with have air con controls, radio buttons, wireless charger and 2 cupholders.

If they even followed the previous A3 design architecture (fully retractable screen into the dash) and made the screen 50% shrinkable into the dash with only the essentials on it, it would appeal to a lot more people.

VW mid-lifecycle facelifts have tended to largely focus on mild cosmetic tweaks to parts that can be easily - and cheaply - changed on the pre-facelift model (e.g. bumper covers, front and rear lights, grilles, maybe some new alloy wheel designs) and a refresh of the tech. IMHO VW will limit the facelift changes to what they consider to be just sufficient to maintain customer interest and maintain or boost sales for the remainder of the car’s lifecycle at the lowest possible financial outlay. 

If the larger screen was to be integrated into the dash, that may well have required a completely new dash assembly - if so, sign off of the associated design / manufacturing costs might not have got past VW’s bean counters. That might also explain why the previously hinted at physical heating / ventilation controls haven’t materialised either if there was an underlying requirement to retain the existing dash.

Most of VW’s mid lifecycle facelifts also involve some cost cutting savings too, so it’ll be interesting to see what these are on the mk8 to mk8.5 model refresh.

[Exonian]

When you look closely at the shape and size of the mounting of the current mk8 screen it’s as though a 13 inch upgrade was in the plans from the off. Instead of a slanting thick bezel they can easily accommodate a rectangular thin bezel screen of much larger proportions without changing the dash moulding at all.
The bigger screen will also sit a bit more in the direct sight line of the driver with useful info slightly higher than now so they could also argue a safety aspect. 

[Guzzle]

That large screen is apparently optional. It'll be interesting to see what the standard screen looks like.

[Dogman12]

That large screen is apparently optional. It'll be interesting to see what the standard screen looks like.

large screen would definitely be standard for the GTI trim

[Exonian]

Probably market dependant.
The basic screen sizes are already there in the MEB ranges give or take a centimetre or so.

[Dogman12]

https://www.carscoops.com/2024/01/2025-vw-golf-design-revealed-through-infotainment-screen-at-ces/

"Interestingly, the grille on the vehicle in the infotainment system, and the one on the real car are different, which some have speculated may have to do with one of them being the Clubsport model. However, it is also possible that VW is throwing us a curveball here. s. While it’s conceivable that the company couldn’t alter the depiction of the car in its infotainment system, it’s worth noting that VW was at CES to showcase the system, so it must have been aware that people would be closely scrutinizing it."

 

[fredgroves]

Maybe it was the first reveal of a bug in the new infotainment system... They've got form remember

[jon87]

I'm seriously considering a mk7.5 now. Have only been buying new for the last 20 or so years, but whilst the 8.5 is an improvement, I'm just too undecided about it and the list price is guaranteed to be above £40k for a basic GTI without any options.

Going to keep an eye out for a low mileage 7.5 on VWs approved used programme with the 2 year warranty and then may decide to upgrade to a mk8.5 in 2-3 years, and by that time they would have hopefully fixed any software issues with the new infotainment. I just feel it's too much new tech to pre-order in a car.

[Carlosfandango]

Yep, definitely the clubsport.
https://youtube.com/shorts/8AxFgrXYTYU?si=uQ_jibOgYAc3Aa5n

[Dogman12]

Yep, definitely the clubsport.
https://youtube.com/shorts/8AxFgrXYTYU?si=uQ_jibOgYAc3Aa5n

oh finally they confirmed. was it so hard to write it at once? 

Now I believe they should add glossy black bumper to the standard GTI as well, as it will be so small changes compared to 8th if they only add fangs..