Volkswagen has no plans to develop a new internal combustion engine for the

German manufacturer Volkswagen has no plans to work on a new generation of heat engines for the successful and already legendary Golf, marking the end of an era for the successful 1974 model. This was stated by the brand's CEO Thomas Schaefer in an interview with the German publication Automobilwoche, where he explained that the eighth generation Golf, which is currently in production, will be the last with an internal combustion unit, to then move to more environmentally friendly technologies.

The executive added that next year the model will receive an update that will allow it to reach a 100% electric version no earlier than 2028.

“At the same time, the car will be ready for production by the end of the decade. Then we have to see how this segment develops," Schaefer said.

Volkswagen's decision not to invest in upgrading the Golf, which has been Europe's best-selling car for decades, is indicative of the path the brand has taken in terms of directing all of its efforts in the area of electromobility and addressing challenges such as lowering the cost of zero-emission units.

Volkswagen, part of the German automotive group of the same name, aims to achieve an EV sales target of 80% in Europe and 55% in North America by the end of this decade.

In this context, he plans to keep the Golf name for a future zero-emissions model due to be introduced from 2028, Schaefer said.

In the meantime, Volkswagen will launch at least a dozen new electric vehicles that should be available by 2026, including a battery-powered electric car priced under €25,000, they said. It will launch at least a dozen new electric vehicles that should be available by 2026, in including a battery-powered electric car costing less than 25,000 euros.