Volkswagen has kicked off pre-sales of the facelifted Golf in Europe with the release of the “Edition 50” model. This special edition commemorates 50 years since the debut of the original iteration of the hatchback. However, it also serves as a distraction from the elevated pricing of the updated range, which now starts from € 27,180 (US$ 29,300).
The Golf Edition 50 is based on the
top-tier Style trim, incorporating several distinctive features to commemorate
this significant milestone. Notable additions include “50” badges adorning the
B-pillars, discreet “Edition 50” emblems on the side sills and steering wheel,
as well as exterior enhancements such as 18-inch Leeds alloy wheels, a LED
strip on the grille, and tinted rear glass. Inside, owners will appreciate
details like brushed stainless steel pedals and a black headliner.
Standard equipment includes the flagship
12.9-inch Discover infotainment system with navigation, keyless access, the IDA
voice assistant with ChatGPT integration, an anti-theft alarm, and driving
profile selection. Those who want more can tick the box for the optional Plus
package which adds a tilting and sliding panoramic sunroof, head-up display,
and the admittedly cooler IQ. Light matrix LED headlights Besides the special
edition, VW announced the full lineup for the series, which comprises the
entry-level Golf, the mid-spec Life, and the flagship Style. A visit to the German
configurator reveals that the base model comes with 15-inch steel wheels,
although it still has features like LED headlights and wireless Apple CarPlay /
Android Auto.
At launch, the powertrain lineup includes
the non-electrified 1.0 TSI and 1.5 TSI paired with a six-speed manual, and the
mild-hybrid 1.0 eTSI and 1.5 eTSI paired with a seven-speed DSG. Both 1.0-liter
engines deliver 113 hp, while the larger 1.5-liter engines
produce 148 hp. However, the automatic mild hybrid versions
benefit from improved efficiency and performance thanks to the 48 Volt system.
Additionally, the powertrains feature VTG (variable turbine geometry)
turbocharger and Active Cylinder Management (ACTplus) technologies. VW
confirmed that “further derivatives and drive systems” will follow in the
future. These will most likely include the improved plug-in hybrids that will
bring a significant increase in the zero-emission range, and the good-old
turbodiesel that will make one last appearance before being retired. We also
expect the local launch of the performance-focused Golf GTI and the upcoming
Golf R.
The facelifted VW Golf is now available
for pre-order in European markets. In Germany, prices start at € 27,180 (US$ 29,258)
for the entry-level Golf Hatchback and € 28,280 (US$ 30,442) for the Golf
Variant. TThis marks a price hike from the pre-facelifted model, attributed to
inflation rates and added features. As for the high-spec VW Golf Edition 50,
this one starts from € 36,820 (US$ 39,617) since it is only available with the
more powerful 1.5-liter engines.
