VW Golf Mk8 to launch in more RHD countries, Malaysia by 2H 2021

Although sales of the Volkswagen Golf Mk8 has already started in Europe since December 2019, sales in many right-hand drive markets (except for the UK) have been pushed back by nearly a year.

The delay is to allow Volkswagen to address the reports of glitches raised by customers regarding the car’s infotainment software.

A fix has been rolled out and introduction in right-hand drive markets is now resuming in stages.

Now, Volkswagen Japan is gearing up to launch the iconic C-segment hatchback later this month. Over 1,000 pre-orders have been collected since registration of interest was opened on 9-February.

The Japanese market Golf will get the eTSI-badged belt starter generator 48V mild-hybrid variant.

Detailed specifications have yet to be announced but globally, eTSI variants are offered in two engines, with three output levels – the 1.0-litre turbocharged 3-cylinder makes 110 PS while 1.5-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder is available in 130 PS and 150 PS options, all paired to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Globally, other TSI petrol engines available include a 1.0-litre turbocharged TSI 3-cylinder that makes 90 PS and 110 PS (identical to eTSI, but only available with 6-speed manual) and a 1.5-litre turbocharged TSI 4-cylinder that makes 130 PS and 150 PS (also identical to eTSI, but only available with 6-speed manual).

After Japan, the next right-hand drive market to launch the Golf Mk8 will be Australia (Q2 2021), followed by Singapore, with Malaysia to follow suit.

We estimate a minimum 3 months gap between the Golf’s launch in Japan and Singapore, which also means that the Golf Mk8 will most probably be launched in Malaysia in the second half of 2021.

The outgoing Golf 1.4 TSI Mk 7.5 was last sold in Malaysia at RM 155,900 (Sportline) and RM 166,990 (R Line), imported from Germany of course. But the price is inclusive of sales tax (and the then-valid GST).

Anyway, when the Golf is launched in Malaysia in the second half of 2021, the 10 percent sales tax will be re-imposed. It's currently slashed to 0 percent for locally-assembled cars while imported cars are taxed at 5 percent.

Also read: Spied: VW Golf GTI Mk8 seen in Putrajaya, to be CKD

Also, we already know that the Golf GTI will be locally-assembled at Pekan. Whether will the plans include the regular Golf TSI range is still not known yet, but 2021 is shaping up to be a milestone setting year for Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM). Don't buy that 1 Series or A-Class yet. A lower priced, locally-assembled Golf GTI is a very tempting offer.

Last year, VPCM surprised us with the launch of the Volkswagen Arteon and the Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace - both locally-assembled in Pekan, the latter includes a 220 PS R-Line variant which is basically a 7 seats GTI.

Will they pull another surprise for 2021 with a locally-assembled Golf range?