ExclusiveVolkswagen will have its own Toyota Corolla, first HEV hybrid Golf spotted in history

A few days ago, the news broke. Our spy photographers spotted the first test mule of the new Volkswagen Golf 9. The ninth generation of the legendary compact from Volkswagen will finally become a reality, and the development process is underway as these spy photos show. The German manufacturer is focusing all its efforts on completely renewing its thermal compact to regain its position as the sales leader in Europe.

With this sighting, any doubts about the continuity of the thermal Golf in the Volkswagen lineup are cleared. Until recently, there was speculation about the possibility that the next Golf would be exclusively electric. The reality of the market prevails, and Volkswagen will not give up its thermal segment C model. After this first sighting, the Golf 9 is back in the news. Another test mule has been spotted. And there is a big novelty. It is the first self-charging hybrid Golf.

Spy photos of the new Volkswagen Golf with HEV engine

Volkswagen will have its own Toyota Corolla. About a year ago, the first reports emerged about one of the major innovations that the ninth generation of the Golf will bring. The self-charging hybrid (HEV) technology. Although it has been taken very slowly, Volkswagen has finally decided to enter the HEV hybrid market.

The newly presented Volkswagen T-Roc will be the first model from the brand to be available with this type of hybrid technology. A technology that we will also find in the future Golf 9, as these new spy photos demonstrate. Driving on open roads in southern Europe, our photographers have spotted in broad daylight a test mule of the Golf 9 with HEV hybrid engine.

This test mule has been created using the current Volkswagen Golf eHybrid as a base. However, although it may seem like a plug-in hybrid (PHEV), the truth is that it houses Volkswagen's new self-charging hybrid powertrain.

The HEV hybrid technology of the Volkswagen Golf 9

The future Golf HEV will be available in two engine configurations. Both with a front-wheel drive setup. If we had the opportunity to take a look under the hood, we would find a 1.5-liter TSI gasoline engine with four cylinders. The entry-level HEV hybrid version will have 136 HP, while at a higher level, there will be one with 177 HP.

Thanks to a lithium-ion battery, the new hybrid Golf will have the capability to drive in electric mode for a certain period of time and in specific situations. And logically, it will display the ECO environmental label from the DGT with all the mobility advantages that this entails.

When will it hit the market? The development process is in an early stage, as evidenced by the fact that it is a test mule. Considering that the Golf 8.2 debuted at the beginning of last year, we should not be surprised if the ninth generation debuts in 2027.