The digital interior of the Mk 8 Golf GTI and Golf R

June 3, 2021 by Volkswagen

• All-new electronic architecture enables a high-end digital experience

•Volkswagen Digital Cockpit Pro standard on both models

Herndon, VA — The Mk 8 Golf GTI and Golf R feature entirely new electronic architecture, created from scratch, to enable a digitally networked world of displays and controls. This enables the driver to customize the look and feel of these models more intuitively, and in greater detail, than ever before.

The digital experience begins as soon as the Mk 8 doors are opened. The start button pulses red until the engine is started, and the standard Volkswagen Digital Cockpit Pro instrument cluster and infotainment screens awake. The 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro system integrates with the infotainment system to allow drivers to create a customized display of pertinent information, including car status, driving data, phone information, driver assistance features and more. Models equipped with the Discover Pro infotainment system with navigation are able to display a full screen map in the digital cluster and simultaneously on the 10-inch center display.

User experience designers have developed a new graphics layout for Digital Cockpit specific to GTI and R models. Accessed with the new View button on the steering wheel, it presents a combination of three instruments: the rev counter with GTI or R logo in the center, flanked two customizable instruments, which can be configured to show the engine's boost pressure or the current power output.

Golf R also offers a 3D-look with numerical fields, known as the R-View. As an exclusive feature, there is a horizontal rev counter at the top edge of the display. The scale for this horizontal display ranges from 0 to 8 (equivalent to 0 to 8,000 rpm). When the manual DSG® mode is activated, this display provides easily visible shift recommendations for the track-only Special and Drift modes. Additionally, the Digital Cockpit in the Golf R can display a variety of data such as the boost pressure, gearbox temperature, torque, power, a G-meter, the torque distribution of the all-wheel-drive system, and a lap timer for track work.

Digitalization continues throughout the cabin and includes intuitive controls. An available head-up display is digitally projected onto the windshield and virtually floats in front of the driver. The lights and defrost functions are now operated using a digital panel to the left of the steering wheel. Operation of the sunroof, available on specific models, is done a touch slider. Touch sliders are also used to adjust the temperature of the air conditioning system and to control audio volume.

The steering wheel also receives new controls. The multifunction steering wheel operates the Digital Cockpit, and has touchpads for volume adjustment and audio selections. A Travel Assist button engages the partially-automated hands-on driving system and capacitive sensors monitor to make sure the driver has their hands on it. On Golf R, the R button takes the driver straight to the Driving Mode Selection where they can enable various driving profiles. A more forceful press of the R button activates Race mode.

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Ambient lighting comes standard on the Mk 8 GTI and Golf R and washes the interior with color. Thirty colors are selectable and illuminate the decorative trim in the dash and doors, storage compartments in the doors and center console, as well as the footwells. The digital instruments and infotainment system also take on the selected background color. Along with the individual colors, pre-configured 'mood' lighting profiles can be selected.