Weirded Out by the Idea of a Golf GTI Mild Hybrid? You May Have Been Worrying for Nothing

Volkswagen has big plans for mild hybrid powertrains and fully electric vehicles, but the perpetually popular Golf GTI’s successor won’t be a point of contention for motoring purists. That’s because VW has reportedly pulled a screeching U-turn on that model’s electrification.

According to Autocar, the eighth-generation Golf’s hot (but not hottest) hatch variant won’t go the hybrid route. Instead, company engineers have concerned themselves with incremental improvements over the current model. No electro-mobility here; just fun hatch.

Slated for an early 2020 debut, the upcoming GTI was originally expected to bow with a mild hybrid setup allowing a touch of gas-free boost during acceleration and fuel-free coasting. In that hypothetical model’s wake, the Mk8 GTI forgoes electric assist in favor of an updated 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, mated to either a six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

America’s current GTI generates 228 horsepower and 258 lb-ft; Autocar claims outputs of 252 and 286 hp for the European market come 2020, with the latter version of the engine appearing in a TCR-badged version of the car. Standard torque rises to 273 lb-ft, the publication states, which is only 7 lb-ft less than today’s top-flight Golf R.

The about-face is apparently the doing of VW Group boss Herbert Diess, who scrapped plans put in place by his predecessor, Matthias Müller. Mild hybrids are still on the way, just not for the GTI. Eighth-generation Golfs will see a 1.5-liter mild hybrid setup.

Offered only as a five-door, the upcoming GTI adopts an upgraded version of the MQB platform and, reportedly, more aggressive front end styling. Engineers are said to be going to town on the car’s steering in the hopes of improving feedback.

[Images: © 2018 Chris Tonn/TTAC]