What is it that makes a car more than just a means to get you around? Could it be its iconic styling, easily identifiable from generation to generation? Or perhaps it is in the way that it drives, where even if you were in the passenger seat with your eyes closed, you will right away know the car.

The Volkswagen Golf has instantly recognisable, and has always been close to the hearts of many. Easily identified by its design elements, like its purposeful C-pillars, its quad headlamps... and from four generations ago, one of my favourite features, a nifty boot handle, neatly incorporated within the rear emblem.

For over 45 years, the iconic compact German hatchback has time and again, provided an entertaining driving experience for their owners. A hatchback often benchmarked by many, simply because Volkswagen had gotten the formula right from the get-go.

The eighth-generation Volkswagen Golf brings us the very same time-tested formula, delivered by previous generation Golf hatchbacks, and re-invents itself with its technologically-advanced interior and drivetrain.

If you are one who embraces change, change here is plenty. How about a digitised dashboard, presenting you with even greater levels of personalisation? And we are not talking about just the thirty customisable colour themes to suit your personality… my choice being ‘Vitality’ if you were to ask. But it gets even better when you can choose to have drive data and even your music playlist displayed just the way you like on the Golf 8’s 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro - standard across all models. Or how about an infotainment system with an interface, designed to be as easy to use as your mobile phone (‘Composition’ six-speaker system for Life and Life Plus models matched to an 8.25-inch touchscreen; ‘Discover Pro’ 7-speaker system with a 10-inch screen on the R-Line; and a premium ‘Harman Kardon’ 10-speaker, 12-channel system on the high-performance GTI)?

Need to charge your mobile device? The Golf 8 is also equipped with a wireless mobile charger across its entire range, ensuring that you will never run out of juice for your tunes. For the first time, the Volkswagen Golf features a shift-by-wire gear shift lever, reducing visual clutter within the cabin, for a cleaner look.

Technology is not the only focus placed on Golf 8. Volkswagen has retained its dimensions for their compact hatchback, where it is practical for your day-to-day needs. There is plenty of legroom for all on-board, and rear passengers also get their very own ventilation. At the rear, the iconic Golf 8 carries on it one of its coolest features. The car’s emblem doubles as a mechanical opening handle for the boot; and it also is the place where the reverse camera stows away, once you have finished parking your car. Its large 381 litre cargo area has an adjustable floor for greater flexibility, and the rear seats fold, to align themselves with the boot’s floorboard, to give you a large loading area.

Volkswagen introduces Mild-Hybrid technology to the world, for the first time with the Golf 8. Their new 1.5-litre eTSI engine with 150hp and 250Nm, delivers a powerful driving experience. The 7-speed DSG is the Golf’s signature transmission that offers smooth gear changes, quicker than the blink of an eye; ensuring little to no power loss between shifts.

While the Golf 8 is more powerful than the previous generation car, it is also amazingly more fuel efficient. This is all thanks to an impressive list of engine optimisation features. Take for example the 48V Mild-Hybrid system, driving a lightweight electric motor, designed to help boost the car when moving off. The hybrid drive system significantly reduces the amount of fuel consumed, associated with heavier start-stop driving within the city and during rush hour. Additionally, the Active Cylinder Management (ACT) allows the engine to operate on just two of its four cylinders while cruising down the highway, and even goes on to shut itself off when coasting. Imagine gliding down long straights and even around bends safely for the fuel cost of zero!

Why is the Volkswagen Golf always known for its great handling? The answer is really in their GTI hot hatchback. Every Golf carries on it the GTI’s DNA, which includes the latter’s rigid structure and heavily takes inspiration from its tuned suspension.

The GTI sets itself apart from the rest of the range with its extroverted front-end, sporting an open honeycomb bumper design, complete with striking LED fog lights, arranged in a unique X-shape.

The GTI’s Digital Cockpit Pro, gives you a visual treat of sporty drive information graphics that are easy to read. A head-up display which is included, means that you will not need to take your eyes off the road, and off your driving fun. Other special touches like its bucket-style front seats are built to keep you in-place, and better-focused. The Golf GTI is also equipped with a full-sized glass sunroof, easily operated with the help of intuitive slide-activated touch sliders.

The time-tested 2.0 turbocharged engine now delivers more grunt than before, with 245hp and churns a tarmac-folding 370Nm. Drive to the wheels is through a proven 7-speed DSG, delivering quick gear changes, rocketing the GTI to 100km/h in all of just 6.4 seconds!

The promise of even sharper response is brought to you by-way of the GTI’s new Vehicle Dynamics Manager, which controls the car’s electronic differential locks (XDS) and also the car’s adaptive suspension - Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC); the latter is able to adjust suspension stiffness, in any of the three built-in presets (COMFORT, ECO and SPORT) in just a fraction of second, ensuring optimum damping in all conditions. In INDIVIDUAL drive mode, the DCC presents you with no less than fifteen selectable damper settings to suit your fancy, way more than many larger high-performance sports cars today.

And when you are not conquering the B-roads, the GTI performs as a comfortable daily driver. Perhaps, this is just about every car you will ever need.

The eighth generation GTI truly marks a new chapter in Volkswagen’s tradition of high-performance GTIs… a car often taken as a benchmark, but an icon that is never matched!

But you know what? Snag yourself a test drive today, and find out why the new Golf 8 is already a sellout success... and we mean it! First shipments are already all sold out!

The Volkswagen Golf 8, The Icon Returns! Book yourself a test drive today!

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