Spied: CKD 2021 VW Golf GTI Mk8 spotted in Malaysia, to be launched by end of the year?

Two years after its global debut, it looks like the Mk8 Volkswagen Golf is (finally) getting ready to make its Malaysian debut. Interestingly, a couple of units were spotted on a trailer just outside KL Sentral by an anonymous reader. Both models are expected to be locally-assembled (CKD) at VW's plant in Pekan, Pahang. 

From what we can see, there appears to be two different variants of the MY-spec Golf. The white one looks like a standard Golf while the red model is clearly the hotter GTI.

The white Golf sports faux exhaust tailpipes in the rear bumper and 17-inch Valencia Grey metallic alloy wheels.

Meanwhile, the red GTI has exposed twin tailpipes just like the one that was spied in Putrajaya last year and sits on 18-inch Richmond alloys. 

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

This would also mean that the standard Golf is likely to be locally assembled too. This would be the first time the Golf has been assembled in Malaysia since the Mk1 back in the 1970s.

The spyshot also revealed the interior of the Golf which features a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster along with a 10-inch infotainment display.

From the photos, we know that a reverse camera is available as standard on both the regular and GTI variants of the Golf.

In terms of what powers the regular Golf, it is hard to say which engine would make it here. Some markets like Australia offer the 1.4 TSI engine (150 PS/250 Nm) while other markets like Thailand offer the newer 1.5-litre TSI unit (150 PS/250 Nm).

The smaller unit is paired to an 8-speed torque-converter automatic while the 1.5-litre TSI is mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (DSG).

Also read: 2021 VW Golf Mk8 for Malaysia to drop DSG for 8-speed torque converter?

As for the Golf GTI, it is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine (245 PS/370 Nm) and is paired with a 7-speed DSG.

With the Golf going the CKD route, do not expect prices to be “affordable”. The last-gen Mk 7.5 Golf 1.4 TSI and Golf GTI were priced at RM 174,110 and RM 240,030 respectively. Prices of the CKD Golfs are expected to come down compared to the previous CBU Golfs, but maybe not as much as expected because of the addition of newer features.

As for when the Mk8 Golf will be launched in Malaysia, it could arrive by the end of the year. How excited are you for the locally-assembled German hatchback?

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