It's become the point of reference for every competitor in the C-Segment and it's enjoyed great commercial success throughout the years.
From the Mk5 onward, the Golf has gotten sharper in terms of design. Its design language has stayed pretty much the same throughout its 6th generation and up until the Mk7, which is what VW have in their showrooms right now, with VW making subtle changes instead of a total overhaul.
The Mk7 is probably the sharpest-looking Golf ever made, with more angular styling and pointier headlamps and taillights.
Should we expect more of the same for the 8th generation? Unless VW have something truly special up their sleeves, there's no reason to think otherwise. The lines might get a little bit sharper still, and of course the on-board tech will get much more impressive as well, however, like the Porsche 911, even great changes under the skin do not allow the styling to deviate too much from the familiar lines.
Based on that assumption, here's how it could look like. Too conservative or just what the doctor ordered?
Renderings courtesy of Theophilus Chin