Having misplaced its guide gearbox, the Golf GTI isn’t as fascinating because it was. You might argue that inside high quality has taken successful in comparison with the wonderful Mk7. Not that the Grand Touring Injection ever had an thrilling design, however the Mk8 maybe appears too restrained. Regardless of all this, at the least VW is making efforts to maintain the automobile alive in a shrinking phase. The gradual demise of gas-powered sizzling hatches is being accelerated by stricter emissions laws and better taxes, particularly in Europe.

Higher but, VW is pledging to maintain the Golf GTI round for a very long time. Talking on the Nürburgring with VW fanatic Jamie Orr, the automaker’s boss was requested whether or not the automobile nonetheless has a future within the firm’s more and more electrified lineup. CEO Thomas Schäfer vowed to promote the gas-fueled efficiency hatchback effectively into the subsequent decade: “Undoubtedly within the 2030s, nonetheless sturdy presence of the ICE autos.”

Nevertheless, his following assertion has us fearful: “In all probability slightly bit electrified.” Maybe VW intends to present the Golf GTI a hybrid setup sooner or later? It has already occurred with the GTE, a plug-in hybrid model not bought in america. Whether or not the 2 will likely be merged sooner or later is unclear, though we’re hoping Schäfer was referring to a mild-hybrid system to reduce the burden penalty.

It’s additionally price noting that the GTE doesn’t have the two.0-liter engine however moderately a smaller 1.5-liter unit, paired with an electrical motor powered by a 19.4-kWh battery. Whereas the GTE delivers 268 hp, the GTI affords as much as 320 hp within the new, not-for-America Version 50. Talking of forbidden fruits, the US additionally misses out on the 296-hp Clubsport, each of which stay front-wheel drive just like the common GTI.

No matter VW is planning for the GTI, Schäfer was referring to the current-generation mannequin. Wolfsburg has already confirmed the ninth-gen Golf, due later this decade, will likely be solely electrical. Kai Grünitz, the board member chargeable for technical growth, strongly steered final yr that the Mk8 may stick round till 2035, when the European Union plans to ban gross sales of recent combustion-engine automobiles. That might imply VW would concurrently promote two generations of the Golf for 5 to 6 years earlier than transitioning absolutely to the electrical Mk9.

Whereas the interview centered on the Golf, we’d be remiss to not point out the Polo GTI. The spicy supermini continues to be out there in some markets. Nevertheless, it’s dear. In Germany, it begins at €35,450 ($40,600), which continues to be about €10,000 ($11,500) lower than a base Golf GTI. We reckon the smaller of the 2 sizzling hatches is more likely to bow out first.

For those who’re open to going electrical, VW is already hyping up a GTI with no combustion engine. Schäfer just lately stated a Golf GTI EV will likely be a “monster” and will likely be adopted by a purely electrical Golf R as effectively. Each will likely be primarily based on the aforementioned Mk9, which is able to abandon the MQB platform in favor of the VW Group’s delayed Scalable Programs Platform (SSP). The following-gen Golf is scheduled to debut in 2029, with Rivian aiding in creating its electrical structure and software program.

The Golf isn’t the dominant pressure it was in its heyday. VW made multiple million items (together with wagons) in 2015, however solely slightly over 300,000 automobiles final yr. For 2025, it estimates manufacturing will proceed to lower, falling to simply 250,000 autos. That might signify a 75-percent drop in solely a decade, with works council chief Daniela Cavallo telling Reuters, “the pattern is an unstoppable decline.”