Golf 8.5 - you saw it here first!

[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.

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

What do you think?

The turn signal looks to be just the lower edge of those individual LED light elements in the rear light clusters that emit an amber light when in operation (so IMHO would be compliant with the UK Vehicle Lighting Requirements). That’s no different really to the functionality of the LED strip above the headlamps which is illuminated white when functioning as a DRL but doubles up as the indicator and flashes amber when the indicators are being used (same as the DRL’s / front indicators on many other current VW’s).

[BillSan]

I'm not a fan of those rear indicators either.  They don't seem clear at all and I'm quite critical of other cars when their turn signals are weak.

Another minus point for me.

May look different in  real life of course.

So far, I think I may become a BMW or Audi customer rather than VW and I'm sad to say that.

[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).
 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQ3LMi_YUFM&t=314s

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?

The turn signal looks to be just the lower edge of those individual LED light elements in the rear light clusters that emit an amber light when in operation (so IMHO would be compliant with the UK Vehicle Lighting Requirements). That’s no different really to the functionality of the LED strip above the headlamps which is illuminated white when functioning as a DRL but doubles up as the indicator and flashes amber when the indicators are being used (same as the DRL’s / front indicators on many other current VW’s).

Where is it on a photo? 


I can clearly see the separate indicator in current's version.

[AndyGTI]

I'm not a fan of those rear indicators either.  They don't seem clear at all and I'm quite critical of other cars when their turn signals are weak.

Another minus point for me.

May look different in  real life of course.

So far, I think I may become a BMW or Audi customer rather than VW and I'm sad to say that.

I agree, I find the FordPuma particularly problematic with what seems a tiny rear indicator which is surrounded or easily blinded with the cars brake light. But as @SRGTD has said there are rules which the Puma has clearly passed, but I think how the hell did they manage it with that tiny indicator.

So I know it was mentioned by someone else that Mk8 had cascading front and rear indicators but now shows mk8.5 with static front indicator. Perhaps that is penalty for going with slimmer headlights and VW had to use the daylight running section to put dual purpose indicator into this section (like many other manufacturers).

Well we have 1 series and A3 to be revealed throughout the year so we can see how their take on the car of 2024 is.


@Dogman12 the photo of the mk8.5 isn’t really at right angle ( too high) but as per the video you posted the indicator LEDs will be below each of the brake/night time light squares

[SRGTD]

The turn signal looks to be just the lower edge of those individual LED light elements in the rear light clusters that emit an amber light when in operation (so IMHO would be compliant with the UK Vehicle Lighting Requirements). That’s no different really to the functionality of the LED strip above the headlamps which is illuminated white when functioning as a DRL but doubles up as the indicator and flashes amber when the indicators are being used (same as the DRL’s / front indicators on many other current VW’s).

Where is it on a photo? 

The bottom edge of the of the square lighting elements - as @BillSan has said, not visible at the angle of the light cluster in the picture you’ve posted - maybe only visible when the turn signals are being used, so you’d need to check out the video clip you posted earlier.

I personally can’t get excited over the mk8.5’s rear light clusters. However, it does bother me when what appears to be a ‘form over function’ approach is taken to a fundamental safety feature such as a turn signal. I agree with @BillSan that some car manufacturers seem to be prioritising aesthetics over safety/ visibility of certain component parts of light clusters - Ford Puma’s rear indicators being a good example. It seems that VW may have done the same with the mk8.5 Golf’s rear indicators - I wonder how visible they’ll be to a following driver when the brake lights are illuminated?

I’m glad my car has ‘normal’ rear indicators that can be clearly seen by others………

[fredgroves]

BTW I've seen articles state that this is the "2025" Golf... meaning the manufacturing period starting after the August factory shutdown...

So as I said, initial dealer stock orders available December/January.... customer orders by mid 2025...

That's no surprise. They don't change things before the shutdown/retooling August holiday...

[clarky92]

BTW I've seen articles state that this is the "2025" Golf... meaning the manufacturing period starting after the August factory shutdown...

So as I said, initial dealer stock orders available December/January.... customer orders by mid 2025...

That's no surprise. They don't change things before the shutdown/retooling August holiday...

Good news. Gives me more time to save up given they are probably gonna charge 50k+ for a Clubsport with metallic paint. I think the pricing will be outrageous for the GTI, CS and R. As this is the last ever variant they can charge what they want, people will pay it. God knows what they will want for the CS ED50, probably have to remortgage

[jon87]

BTW I've seen articles state that this is the "2025" Golf... meaning the manufacturing period starting after the August factory shutdown...

So as I said, initial dealer stock orders available December/January.... customer orders by mid 2025...

That's no surprise. They don't change things before the shutdown/retooling August holiday...

Good news. Gives me more time to save up given they are probably gonna charge 50k+ for a Clubsport with metallic paint. I think the pricing will be outrageous for the GTI, CS and R. As this is the last ever variant they can charge what they want, people will pay it. God knows what they will want for the CS ED50, probably have to remortgage

Also, the ED50 isn't likely to have much discount. It will sell at full list price.

I'm hoping after a while the standard 8.5 GTI will have a significant discount off list price though. At one point in 2023 DTD had 14% off the GTI so hopefully the same will happen with the 8.5. possibly a year or so after launch though when it isn't so "new"

[gavinl1967]

The turn signal looks to be just the lower edge of those individual LED light elements in the rear light clusters that emit an amber light when in operation (so IMHO would be compliant with the UK Vehicle Lighting Requirements). That’s no different really to the functionality of the LED strip above the headlamps which is illuminated white when functioning as a DRL but doubles up as the indicator and flashes amber when the indicators are being used (same as the DRL’s / front indicators on many other current VW’s).

Where is it on a photo? 

The bottom edge of the of the square lighting elements - as @BillSan has said, not visible at the angle of the light cluster in the picture you’ve posted - maybe only visible when the turn signals are being used, so you’d need to check out the video clip you posted earlier.

I personally can’t get excited over the mk8.5’s rear light clusters. However, it does bother me when what appears to be a ‘form over function’ approach is taken to a fundamental safety feature such as a turn signal. I agree with @BillSan that some car manufacturers seem to be prioritising aesthetics over safety/ visibility of certain component parts of light clusters - Ford Puma’s rear indicators being a good example. It seems that VW may have done the same with the mk8.5 Golf’s rear indicators - I wonder how visible they’ll be to a following driver when the brake lights are illuminated?

I’m glad my car has ‘normal’ rear indicators that can be clearly seen by others………

The car currently on the road with the least visible indicators - IMO - is the Vauxhall Astra.  How they passed any visibility test is beyond me 🤔

[fredgroves]

I have a feeling that discounts are going to be a thing of the past.

Its probably the time vw will follow the rest with "the price is the price" and prevent dealers from discounting.