2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI CKD Now Updated With ADAS, Priced at RM246K

Heads up hot hatch fans, Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has introduced an updated version of the locally assembled (CKD) Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk 8 today. In its latest 2023 model year guise, the made-in-Pekan hot hatch now laced with the brand’s IQ.Drive active driver assists (ADAS) suite.

According to VPCM, the IQ.Drive suite laces the hot hatch with a bevy of optical and radar sensors that enables Forward Collision Warning (FCW) and Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Blind-spot Monitor (BSM), Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA), as well as both Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Lane-keeping Assist (LKAS).

Elsewhere, VPCM has also noted the addition of new foglamps. Integrated into the front bumper, it features a honeycomb cluster pattern – a signature of the eighth-gen Golf GTI. Surely, this will excite many fans who had previously cried foul over this particular feature’s absence when the model was first introduced locally by VPCM back in 2022.

The cabin is now updated with new seats featuring GTI logo embroidery.

Moving to the interior, VPCM has also updated the Golf GTI Mk8’s cabin with a new wireless charging pad plus new leather seats. The latter now features embroidered GTI logo on the driver and front passenger seats – the model previously came with blank leather seats sans GTI logos.

Mechanically, things remain unchanged from before as the hot hatch continues to offer peppy outputs of 242 HP and 370 NM from its turbocharged 2.0-litre 4-cyl heart. Paired with a slick 7-speed DSG dual-clutch transmission, it promises to despatch 0-100KM/H in just 6.3 seconds before maxing out at 250 KM/H, where as its frugal 7.4 litres/100 KM claimed average fuel economy keeps it friendly for the daily too.

2022MY-spec VW Golf GTI Mk 8 pictured. Read our driving impressions of which by clicking here.

With these new additions, the localised Golf GTI Mk8 now sees both its style and safety elevated, but it also means that it will cost more now. Excluding insurance, VPCM has set a retail price of RM246,012 for this re-specced hot hatch, marking a RM19,000 increment from its previous RM227,012 figure.

Besides thrilling performance, perhaps the inclusion of VPCM’s 5-year, unlimited mileage warranty coverage with 3 years free maintenance and 5 years roadside assist ought to justify this hot hatch’s raised price figure.

VPCM quietly discontinued the Golf R-Line recently.

Besides updating the Golf GTI, the eighth-gen Golf hatchback lineup from VPCM also sees yet another revision as the firm had quietly discontinued the Golf R-Line. VPCM has not stated an official reason for this, but we reckon poor sales performance be the root cause for its discontinuation. Also locally assembled in Pekan, Pahang, it was priced at RM170,560 sans insurance when launched in Aug last year.

The mighty Golf R flagship is still available through VPCM, for now that is.

As for the range-topping Golf R model, it remains on sale still based on what we can see through VPCM’s website where it commands RM431,162 on-the-road sans insurance. This fully imported (CBU) but ADAS-less performance flagship features higher outputs of  320 HP and 400 NM driving all four wheels via an all-wheel-drive (AWD) suite, capable of dispatching 0-100 KM/H in just 4.8 seconds.