Volkswagen CEO Thomas Schäfer announced at the beginning of the year the Golf is scheduled to go through a facelift at some point in 2024. It might just be the final update for the ICE-powered compact hatchback since the company's head honcho has already said the ninth generation will morph into an EV. Although this isn't the first time we're seeing the Golf 8.5 during testing, this is no longer a mule as it has the final production bits.
Surprisingly, VW didn't bother to hide the new headlights, which appear to be slimmer than before. The current Golf is offered with standard and matrix LED headlights and these new ones are likely the fully adaptive setup. They've been installed on a prototype of the eHybrid, a plug-in hybrid version positioned below the GTE electrified hot hatch. It's pretty clear that the front bumper has been redesigned judging by the vertical slats of the lower intake and the area that surrounds it.
