Even though we have all seen the next-gen VW Golf completely undisguised, when it was spotted completely uncamouflaged coming out of a McDonald's drive-thru, VW is still pretending like the new car is a huge secret with this camouflaged prototype. This may not be our best look at the new Golf but it is still another useful opportunity to predict what changes will be made for the car's eighth generation. Like the recently-revealed 2020 Passat, we don't expect this new Golf to be a significant departure from the current Mk7 model.

The Mk8 Golf will still be based on VW's MQB platform but has been made lighter using different materials under the body. The body will be slightly longer and wider while the front and rear look lower, giving the car more practicality and a sportier appearance. This test mule is the five-door body style and it is expected that VW will not build a three-door version in this generation. The wagon body style may survive but we have yet to see a test mule to prove this.

What you see here is only the base Golf, while the GTI and R versions won't arrive until later. Rumors indicate the most potent Golf variant, the Golf R, could produce around 400 horsepower in the next generation. The plug-in hybrid GTE model will also make a comeback but like the previous generation, we don't think it will be sold in the US.

We still don't know when VW plans to pull the wraps off the Mk8 Golf. It could arrive at next week's 2019 Geneva Motor Show but judging by the amount of camouflage on this test mule, we don't expect the car to be revealed until September at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show.