New Volkswagen Golf teased

The next-generation Volkswagen Golf has been officially teased for the first time with the release of a simple line drawing, ahead of the all-new Mazda3 rival's unveiling in the middle of next year.

The single sketch of the Volkswagen Golf Mk8 suggests that the redesigned German hatch will keep its traditional hatchback lines but adopt the more adventurous frontal styling first introduced by the Arteon sedan and evolved by the most recent Touareg SUV.

Set to go on sale in Europe in the fourth quarter of 2019, the next Volkswagen Golf will arrive in Australian showrooms later on in 2020.

The headline news is that when it arrives, the Mk8 Golf will introduce levels of autonomous driving capability, refinement and fit and finish hitherto alien to the class. At least, that's what Volkswagen hopes.

Bruised from the Dieselgate emissions scandal, Volkswagen's new Golf will also help the German giant transition away from diesel engines.

From launch, the new Volkswagen hatch will come with its latest 12V and 48V mild-hybrid petrol technology that's likely, but not confirmed, to be available across its entire petrol line-up.

The same emission-cutting tech will also help performance models like the Golf GTI and R produce more power than ever before without ruining the car-maker's fleet-average CO2 output.

Perhaps at odds with lowering emissions across the range, it's been reported that the current pure-electric Golf, available in other markets, will be the last.

That's because next year Volkswagen launches its new range of I.D. electric cars.

That means the Golf could be robbed of some sales once the forthcoming I.D. Neo hatch arrives as its expected higher price tag could be offset by its ultra-low running costs.

Boosting profits for the new Golf, it's rumoured the slow-selling three-door and wagon will be culled from the line-up.

But helping it appeal to a broader range of buyers, the Golf 8 is tipped to be larger than the car it replaces with a longer wheelbase to liberate more passenger space.

Featuring a next-gen infotainment system, the small VW will come with a cleaner, more minimalist cabin with levels of connectivity normally associated with larger, more expensive vehicles.

Beneath its new body, Volkswagen's familiar MQB architecture used by the current car carries over.

Helping keep it competitive, greater use of more exotic lightweight materials should boost rigidity and slash the kerb weight, on average, by around 50kg -- despite its bigger dimensions.

Under the bonnet, as mentioned, mild-hybrid petrol powertrains will dominate but some markets will continue to be offered diesels, despite a backlash in Europe that has seen a significant sales drop.

Like the current Golf, the range of engines will be offered with a six-speed manual transmission and an updated version of the firm's seven-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic.

The most powerful models will come with all-wheel drive.

It's not yet been confirmed when exactly the Mk8 Golf will be unveiled, but it's likely that Volkswagen's vital new hatchback will make its global debut at the 2019 Frankfurt motor show in early September next year.