Golf 8.5 is sharp, smart and strong
They say beauty is in the eye of the key holder and the iconic VW Golf GTI 2.0 8.5 TSI DSG didn’t disappoint.
They say beauty is in the eye of the key holder and the iconic VW Golf GTI 2.0 8.5 TSI DSG didn’t disappoint.
I had the pleasure of driving a ‘Vrrr Phaa’ recently. Everything in my cultural upbringing emerged when I set my eyes on it, realising I had the opportunity to fulfill my teenage dreams.
What a privilege it was to drive this vehicle.
Most teenagers back in the ’90s had an affinity for the VW Golf, thanks to the famous MK1 and, for many of us, these cars still rule the road.
In those days the vehicles were built with popular mods added, including aesthetic body kits and high-end sound systems, of course.
Driving around now in the Golf 8.5 was much like driving the mid-life facelift version of the eighth generation (MK8) VW Golf.
It featured revised exterior styling, an illuminated front badge, cool, an upgraded MIB4 infotainment system, physical buttons on the steering wheel, and more power. Quite a lot more power, actually.
This has increased from 180kW to 195kW and is accompanied by 370Nm of torque.
Switch this baby to sport mode and the car reveals its true hot hatch character.
Switch it to launch control in sport mode and feel the goosebumps as you go from zero to 100km/h in 5.9 seconds.
When it comes to the exterior we see revised LED headlights and tail-lights that give the car a sporty look.
The front grille got my attention with the illuminated Volkswagen logo.
My personal take on Golf 8.5 is that it’s safe, well built, looks good and can still give that genuine thrill wherever it is taken to.
The next generation Golf 9 is planned to be an all-electric model and unofficial reports have suggested the new model will make its debut most probably in 2028 or nearer to 2030.
It was just as fun driving the Golf 8.5 and just as fun just simply looking at it.
Yep, people went a bit mad and all eyes were on the GTi I drove for a week.
Now my elders have to turn salt for me!
FEATURES Golf 8.5 GTI
– 195kW/370 Nm 2.0 TSI turbo engine
– 7-speed DSG automatic gearbox
– Front differential lock
– Adaptive Chassis Control
– Alloy wheels (Queenstown) 19×8″ with 235/35 R19 tyres
– 12.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system
– Wireless App-Connect for Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Inductive wireless charging with cover
– Panoramic sunroof
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