Volkswagen launched teaser pictures of a refreshed model of its vaunted MK8 GTI, a automobile that driving lovers love piloting, however that triggered controversy with an unintuitive infotainment system and uninspiring appears to be like.
The GTI is a timeless motoring legend however the newest MK8 GTI was the primary one in a very long time that got here with caveats to its greatness. The driving expertise was an enchancment over the MK7.5, however most different points of the automobile weren’t universally improved, together with the current and heartbreaking choice to finish manufacturing of the handbook transmission GTI towards the tip of final 12 months.
Sneakily hooked up to a press launch saying Volkswagen’s dystopian infotainment integration of the AI bot ChatGPT, VW dropped a handful of teaser photographs of its facelifted GTI with some enhancements instantly seen. The teaser photographs of the MK8.5 GTI present a camouflaged exterior that obscures most design particulars, however the eager eye can distinguish a brand new, extra aggressive front-end design that includes fang-like parts that carry some wanted muscularity and sharpness to the MK8’s in any other case sedate form.
![A head-on view of the camouflaged MK8.5 GTI driving through the desert.](https://i0.wp.com/i.kinja-img.com/image/upload/c_fit,q_60,w_645/c8554558c412f5a3fd6ecc5734986c2e.jpg?w=788&ssl=1)
Aside from exterior styling tweaks, the inside seems to have extra notable enhancements to the MK8 recipe. Improvements like a steering wheel that options good quaint buttons in place of the present mannequin’s touch-sensitive nightmarish excuse for a efficiency car steering wheel. To be clear, the present GTI’s steering wheel works acceptably, however it’s merely not as user-friendly as a wheel with regular buttons.
![An interior shot of the MK8.5 GTI showing physical steering wheel buttons!!](https://i0.wp.com/i.kinja-img.com/image/upload/c_fit,q_60,w_645/413c3a1167c20f148db90a7a75e30d0d.jpg?w=788&ssl=1)
The challenges launched with the addition of contact delicate buttons embrace inconsistent performance, and elevated potential for unintentional button mashing when driving. The GTI is the mannequin that launched the sizzling hatchback craze, and since then has dominated the class as the most effective all-around sizzling hatch. It has introduced a fascinating mixture of velocity, dealing with, practicality and high quality, however the mixture of the steering wheel contact controls and the over sophisticated but un-illuminated contact delicate local weather controls triggered controversy with the MK8.
![A shot from the passenger side showing the infotainment and steering wheel of the MK8.5 GTI showing the haptic sliders for HVAC controls.](https://i0.wp.com/i.kinja-img.com/image/upload/c_fit,q_60,w_645/ab2aafa4fae2fafc5cccbf03f6671768.jpg?w=788&ssl=1)
Unfortunately the teaser photographs present that the refreshed GTI nonetheless appears to depend on these touch-sensitive temperature and fan velocity changes, however hopefully they’re backlit this time so drivers can truly use them at evening. The MK8 GTI has all the time supplied a compelling driving expertise, and hopefully this facelifted model rights the wrongs that VW inflicted upon the eighth era of its beforehand ubiquitous every day driver king in order that we could vehemently advocate it to anybody who loves driving as soon as once more. Volkswagen will debut the camouflaged MK8.5 GTI at CES tomorrow in Las Vegas.
![A rear-view of the MK8.5 GTI in camouflage driving through the desert.](https://i0.wp.com/i.kinja-img.com/image/upload/c_fit,q_60,w_645/d0c568e1d6c1fb2e2cb9ba5290c78f9d.jpg?w=788&ssl=1)
Source: jalopnik.com