Volkswagen Golf Black Edition | The Green Lane

10 months ago

Check out this special-edition Golf

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Volkswagen Golf Black Edition | The Green Lane

The Volkswagen Golf is 50 – cue fanfare and special editions. Motoring editor Jeremy Taylor and sustainable fashion expert Jessica Saunders drive the latest Black Edition, also available with hybrid battery power.

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Car Review: Volkswagen Golf Black Edition

JS – So, what are we driving this week?

JT – This is the Golf Black Edition – available with three different powertrains, including a battery-petrol 1.5-litre hybrid ‘e’ version. The sportier 2.0-litre model on the driveway is equipped with the grippy bonus of 4MOTION all-wheel drive.

A collector’s item, perhaps, in this anniversary year?

There are plenty of special edition Golfs, so not especially special in that respect but yes, loaded with extra equipment, like 18-inch alloy wheels, rear-view camera and a styling pack to add that finishing touch.

I know it’s not as perky as the legendary GTI models but the Black Edition felt swift enough. 0-62mph in 6.7 seconds barely keeps up with most electric cars but what fun to drive! Like all Golfs, this one feels well-built, refined and inspires confidence behind the wheel.

Yes, it’s difficult not to recommend a Golf, even though there are very good family hatchbacks that cost less. Black Editions start at £32,000 but our top spec, 190bhp 2.0-litre was £36,000 – or roughly £3,000 less than a GTI.

Is this the Golf to buy in 2024 then?

For Golf enthusiasts who really must have a celebratory new model for this production milestone, VW has just announced the Edition 50, with subtle ‘50’ detailing and extra bits. Add a new front end and brighter, LED headlights among other things. There’s also a smarter infotainment system that includes the ChatGPT AI bot system, so drivers can enjoy a more ‘natural’ communication with their car.

So, I will be able to talk to my Volkswagen too – that should be interesting.

Yes, a long way from the original Golf, launched back in 1974. The Mk I model only had modest luxuries, like a heated rear screen and an ashtray. How times have changed. The Edition 50 is based on the new facelift version of the Golf, due this year too.

What about the new, all-electric version?

That’s due sometime around 2028 and will be heralded as the Golf Mk IX. From then on, the Golf will be electric only and rumours are it will be the most radically designed new model ever. So, the current Golf is the last combustion-engined Golf ever.

Get one while you can – happy birthday Golf.