German car giant Volkswagen AG would begin the production of the 8th-gen Golf later this year, said CEO Herbert Diess. He added that first batches would also arrive to the authorized dealers across Europe before the year’s end.
The total amount of investment into the R&D of the eighth-generation Golf hatchback is currently being estimated at €1.8 billion. Another €3 billion went into outfitting the factory in Wolfsburg, Germany, with all the necessary production equipment.
The newcomer takes advantage of a revised version of the MQB architecture. In practical terms, this means the new cars weigh between 35 and 70 kilograms (77 – 154 pounds) less than their predecessors did, and the trunk volume now amounts to 400 liters (14.1 cubic feet).
The engine palette will consist of new 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engines that come as a replacement for the old 1.6-liter ones. A plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version will also join the Golf Mk8 range eventually, the company reports.
Last but not least, performance car lovers will get a choice between a new Volkswagen Golf GTI with 250 hp (186 kW) under the hood and its AWD version, the GTI R, rated at 350 hp (261 kW).
Photos: motor1.com