2024 marks the 50th anniversary of the Volkswagen Golf and fittingly, the carmaker will be looking to introduce a facelifted version of its current Mk8, which could also be the last combustion-engined Golf before going fully electric, as confirmed by CEO Thomas Schäfer.

Prototypes of the Golf Mk8.5 have been spotted testing around Europe but photos from what appears to be an official preview by Volkswagen depict the front end of the refreshed hatchback, posted on Autospy.

Immediately, the more aggressive side flanks of the front bumper pops out at you. The vertical slats of the lower intake and the area that surrounds it have been redesigned.

Also Read: 2024 VW Golf Mk 8.5 facelift will be the last - to become EV-only model next

Additionally, while it’s difficult to tell from the blurry photos, the headlights have been given a makeover as well, appearing to be slimmer than the current Golf Mk8.

Other publications in Europe have also confirmed that the LED taillights will be get new light signature though the overall shape is retained.

Furthermore, expect the interior to get a drastic makeover in terms of user-friendliness and intuitiveness. Volkswagen’s attempts at decluttering the dash proved to be disastrous as it integrated almost all functions into the 10-inch Discover Media touchscreen head unit. This left even the basics of audio and climate controls not easily accessible.

Also Read: Review: CKD 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI – Is she still the girl that can do both?

If that wasn’t tragic enough, the touch buttons for the front temperature and the audio volume beneath the screen aren’t even illuminated. Many users complained that the system lagged on start up as well. Expect all that to be addressed with the Golf Mk8.5 though.

Volkswagen did also say it would get rid of the pesky capacitive-touch buttons on the steering wheel and revert to conventional buttons.

Also Read: 2023 VW Golf R (Mk8) CKD previewed - Only Golf Rs assembled outside Germany, est RM 330k

Over here in Malaysia, Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) only offers the Golf GTI and Golf R, both locally assembled. The regular Golf TSI 1.4 was discontinued earlier this year after being on sale locally for just a year.

The Golf GTI was the first VPCM model in Malaysia to offer Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), or IQ.Drive in Volkswagen speak. However, the fire-breathing Golf R is now locally-assembled (CKD) as well, bringing the price down to give its competition a run for their money. Pricing is as follows:

• Golf GTI – RM 244,990
• Golf R – RM 330,000 to RM 350,000