Golf 8.5 - you saw it here first!

[mihaelo1]

[jon87]

https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:KPAiu1W8yWcJ:https://www.autonavigator.hu/cikkek/ime-a-friss-golf-vilagito-emblemaval-es-technikai-ujitasokkal/&hl=de&gl=de&client=safari

Wow! Thanks for sharing Mihaelo.

Just translated the article into English and it states the GTI will get a 20bhp increase so 265 bhp. Good to know.

I think the facelift GTI looks great from those photos. Prefer the understated look of it compared to the facelifted Clubsport. Not sure about the wheels though, they may look better against white paintwork but have to see them in the flesh.

[Dogman12]

Okay, where are the fog lights?  I bet they should be still be present in the GTI (there are actually place for them and we’ve seen them on the infotainment screen).

[SRGTD]

Okay, where are the fog lights?  I bet they should be still be present in the GTI (there are actually place for them and we’ve seen them on the infotainment screen).

The cars in the pictures posted by @mihaelo1 are LHD non-UK spec cars, so that might be the reason for there being no fog lights. You may recall ‘fog light gate’ back when the mk7.5 facelift was launched, and the first batch of UK GTI’s and GTD’s were mis-built without fog lights (cars in some overseas markets don’t have fog lights).

The infotainment screen image you’ve posted isn’t 100% accurate, as it doesn’t show the radar sensor in the lower grille which is clearly visible on the Kings Red mk8.5 GTI. So even if infotainment screen image does show fog lights, it’s no guarantee cars will have them, although they may feature on UK spec cars.

My car has fog lights and I’ve probably used them no more than 2-3 times in 40 months. I wouldn't be at all bothered if it didn’t have them.

[BillSan]

My first thoughts are that it is the same car as the Mk8.  Not enough difference in the body or the interior to make it worth trading up.  I don't want a bigger central screen, as I'm fine with using the Mk8 version and that also looks better integrated.

The +20bhp for the new GTI is welcome, but again not enough to justify the extra cost especially as my bongs disappeared (perhaps temporarily?) following a new steering wheel last month.

Of course I may change my mind when I see it in the showroom, but as I've just extended my Clubby lease for another 12 months, I won't be rushing to the VW dealers with my chequebook. 

[SRGTD]

My first thoughts are that it is the same car as the Mk8.  Not enough difference in the body or the interior to make it worth trading up.  I don't want a bigger central screen, as I'm fine with using the Mk8 version and that also looks better integrated.

The +20bhp for the new GTI is welcome, but again not enough to justify the extra cost especially as my bongs disappeared (perhaps temporarily?) following a new steering wheel last month.

Of course I may change my mind when I see it in the showroom, but as I've just extended my Clubby lease for another 12 months, I won't be rushing to the VW dealers with my chequebook.

I’m inclined to agree with you. The mk8.5 follows VW’s usual approach to mid-lifecycle facelifts; essentially the same car as before with a few cosmetic changes, some updated tech and - if you’re lucky - a small power uplift .

[Dogman12]

​
So here is my opinion and I have more questions than answers from what we've seen yesterday 
 
It looks like a good, typical Volkswagen Facelift; it could've been much worse in terms of overall changes (I still have a hard time to differ old T-Roc and the new one  )
 
GTI front end looks like it should've looked from the beginning in 2019   By contrast, the photos shown show no difference at the rear end except for the taillights, which look great (and the question here - is how the rear turning indicator will work? is it going to be bicolored? From the shown videos, it's hard to tell. However, I can't see the separate indicator for the turning signal).
 
It would be great to see some changes for the rear diffuser (like we saw in the new Clubsport). I mean, I have nothing against the current one, but that's the facelift, right?
 
I don't understand the critics of the badge on the door. Such a badge was shown on a Touareg almost a year ago, and everyone is so surprised only now  I find it not bad at all; looks like a new design, at least. And it will be easy to identify FL model when you stand from the side. Looks more minimalistic and new.
 
New lighting emblem - it looks like a rear emblem for the FL Touareg but transferred to the front. It looks much more decent than the current one in the ID models (it looks cheap over there). I can't say it's something super cool at the front, but I have to see it in person. The one on Touareg at the rear looks so crisp.. but in red 
 
I LOVE that they added gloss black to the buttons on the steering wheel. At least now it looks like the current one with touches, whether the previous one with buttons looked ugly being all-grey...
 
We talked a lot about the new display. The more I look at it, the more I find it okay. At least now, there is an option to open both maps and music player in one window in CarPlay  of course, we had that option before, but that was a hard time to do as windows were too small.
 
I love the power increase in the GTI. Can it do 5.9, 0-100 officially? 

Waiting for the official presentation next week, more photos & videos, more reviews, and of course information about improved chassis, handling, etc 

More to come!
​

[SRGTD]

​GTI front end looks like it should've looked from the beginning in 2019    By contrast, the photos shown show no difference at the rear end except for the taillights, which look great (and the question here - is how the rear turning indicator will work? is it going to be bicolored? From the shown videos, it's hard to tell. However, I can't see the separate indicator for the turning signal).
 

Bicolored turn signals? Under the Vehicle Lighting Requirements for the UK, indicators (front and rear) must emit an amber light, so a single colour and amber only.

[Dogman12]

​GTI front end looks like it should've looked from the beginning in 2019    By contrast, the photos shown show no difference at the rear end except for the taillights, which look great (and the question here - is how the rear turning indicator will work? is it going to be bicolored? From the shown videos, it's hard to tell. However, I can't see the separate indicator for the turning signal).
 

Bicolored turn signals? Under the Vehicle Lighting Requirements for the UK, indicators (front and rear) must emit an amber light, so a single colour and amber only.

Check how the rear turn indicator works here - https://www.youtube.com/shorts/iWvh7JcTz1E

What do you think?

[gavinl1967]

​GTI front end looks like it should've looked from the beginning in 2019    By contrast, the photos shown show no difference at the rear end except for the taillights, which look great (and the question here - is how the rear turning indicator will work? is it going to be bicolored? From the shown videos, it's hard to tell. However, I can't see the separate indicator for the turning signal).
 

Bicolored turn signals? Under the Vehicle Lighting Requirements for the UK, indicators (front and rear) must emit an amber light, so a single colour and amber only.

Check how the rear turn indicator works here - https://www.youtube.com/shorts/iWvh7JcTz1E

What do you think?

I can’t say I’m a fan of those indicators, in fact I can’t say I’m a fan of several of the changes on the 8.5.  IMO, having the badges on the door look ridiculous, I much prefer where they are on my 8.  I’m also not a fan of the illuminated front VW badge - although I’m sure I read in the linked blurb it’s an option not standard fit.  The new infotainment screen looks to big, again I prefer the one in mine.

I have no problem with the un-illuminated volume/climate sliders in my 8 either, I just don’t use them.  The volume I control from the steering wheel and the temperature I control using the climate button, its one extra button press.