The 2021 Volkswagen Golf Hot Hatch Comes in Three Flavors

Volkswagen has finally lifted the covers off the hot hatch version of its all-new Mk. 8 Golf, and it comes in three flavors: gasoline, plug-in hybrid, and even diesel. Meet the 2021 Golf GTI, GTE, and GTD.

Taking the standard Golf as a starting point, Volkswagen has given the GTI, GTE, and GTD their own unique appearance. All are sportier and more menacing than the compact hatchback, using elements such as front fog lights that seem to blend into the honeycomb pattern of the lower grille. 17-inch rims are standard, but 18s and 19s are also on offer. Oh, and despite its similarities with each other, they carry unique design detail that set each one apart. For example, a narrow strip near the hood denotes whether it’s a GTI (red), GTE (blue), or GTD (silver). The same goes for the rear end, where the GTI gets one tailpipe on the left and right, the GTD gets two on the left, and the GTE with no visible tailpipe.

Inside, all three hotted Golf models receive the 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit and a 10-inch infotainment system. For the driver, there’s a sport’s steering wheel with touch controls and configurable ambient lighting. Oh, and as a nod to Golf GTIs of yesteryear, the checkered design is still present. Now called “Scalepaper,” all models start with a gray and black motif, but the GTI adds red; the GTE, blue; and the GTD light gray.

Powering the all-new Golf GTI is an evolved version of the tried-and-tested 2.0-liter EA888. In this guise, it now gets 245 horsepower and 370 Nm of torque. Power is routed either via a 6-speed manual or a drive-by-wire 7-speed dual clutch.

Meanwhile, for the GTE, it pairs a 150 horsepower 1.4-liter TSI gasoline engine with a 114 horsepower electric motor. This is good for a combined 245 horsepower, while torque rises to 400 Nm. Oh, and thanks to a 13 kWh battery, it can be driven at speeds up to 130 km/h in full electric mode.

Finally, there’s the GTD which debuts Volkswagen’s cleanest diesel ever. The 2.0-liter TDI engine here generates 200 horsepower, but maximum torque is at 400 Nm of torque. For this version, Volkswagen is offering it only with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic.

Regardless of model, the Golf GTI/GTD/GTE offers handling improvements thanks to its Vehicle Dynamics Manager. With three settings, Comfort, Eco, and Sport, the system controls both controls the electronic differential lock (XDS) system as well as dampers.

Sadly, when asked whether the Philippines will get the Golf Mk. 8, Volkswagen Philippines replied that there is currently no plan to bring it in. Hopefully, that’ll change even if it’s just a limited run model.

Diesels Aren't Dead as Volkswagen is Set to Release High-Performance Golf GTD

The demise of diesel has been greatly exaggerated. Despite investing a large chunk of its product development on electric vehicles, Volkswagen has also announced that its eight-generation Golf is still getting a high-performance diesel. The Golf GTD will make its official global debut this March.

The Golf GTD is said to have Volkswagen’s cleanest diesel yet thanks to its twin-dosing Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) and double AdBlue exhaust treatment. VW hasn’t released any official power figures yet, but it’s said to have more power and torque than its predecessor. The previous Golf GTD had 181 horsepower and 380 Nm of torque and was mated to either a 6-speed manual or dual clutch (DSG) gearbox.

More than just sheer grunt, the Golf GTD will exhibit the “same dynamic concept” as the Golf GTI Mk 1 and promises to have improved responsiveness over the previous Golf GTD. It’s also said to be more economical and cleaner than ever.

We Ask Volkswagen Philippines If They'll Consider Bringing in the All-New 8th Gen Golf

The all-new 8th generation Volkswagen Golf has landed and with it brings progressive updates that include digitalization and electrification technology. It’s set to launch on the market first in Germany by the end of this year with the rest of the world to follow.

An evolutionary version of the company’s MQB platform underpins the Golf and with that brings Volkswagen’s most recent innovations such as electrified powertrains. All gasoline and diesel engines in the new Golf are turbocharged bringing their outputs anywhere between 90 horsepower to 300 horsepower. There are two 3-cylinder gasoline versions and two 4-cylinder diesel ones. The TSI variants in particular feature the Miller Cycle for improved fuel consumption and emissions, while the TDI applies its exhaust treatment twice to cut emissions by as much as 17 percent.

Aside from these typical engines, the new Golf also has three eTSI and two eHybrid variants. Volkswagen will offer the Golf in three eTSI output stages: 110 horsepower, 130 horsepower, and 150 horsepower. Two plug-in hybrid variants will be on offer including the GTE which has 245 horsepower.

Outside, the new Golf continues a more evolutionary approach with the C-pillar remaining the most dominant feature. LED lighting technology replaces all conventional exterior lighting and as such, Volkswagen says this now becomes an unmistakable new styling element of the Golf as well. While its proportions remain unchanged, the front-end has been lowered for better aerodynamics.

Inside, the Golf uses a “digital cockpit” with touch buttons and touch sliders. The German carmaker says this will change the way it’s driven and operated and is thus comparable to the debut of the first ever, touch-based smartphone. Apart from the merging of the 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster and 8.25-inch center infotainment display, the new Golf also changes the way functions are operated. For example, the lights are now operated by a digital panel to the left of the instruments, while the center console features a shift-by-wire shifter.

When asked if the Philippines will see the all-new Golf, Volkswagen Philippines says it’s currently not in the pipeline. Having said that, they did not say no. Perhaps the sportier versions, such as the all-new GTI (or even GTE) could see a limited run release, perhaps in time for Volkswagen Philippines’s seventh birthday next year?