VW Golf Archives - Heels & Horsepower Magazine

Volkswagen Golf 8 R Coming To A Dealership Near You

vuyi on April 13, 2023

On 25 April 2023, Volkswagen will start the sale of its most powerful hatch, the Golf 8 R, in the local market.

Since the Golf R’s launch in South Africa in 2007, the hatch has sold close to 6 000 units. The new Golf 8 R’s drive technology tops everything that has been launched in the Golf model range thus far. The corresponding drive output is generated by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder EA 888 engine. The new Golf 8 R accelerates to 100 km/h in just 4.8 seconds. The top speed is 250 km/h. The Golf 8 R impresses with the combination of 400Nm of torque, cutting-edge running gear and the most progressive all-wheel drive in its class.

Standard features in the Volkswagen Golf 8 R include mobile inductive charging, panoramic sunroof, keyless entry with safelock, ‘Discover Pro’ navigation system, Wireless App-Connect and Voice Control, 19-inch Estoril alloy wheels, Adaptive Chassis Control including driving profile selection, Light and Vision Package including light assist, Nappa leather R sport seats as well as a choice of three exterior colours (Pure White, Lapiz Blue metallic and Deep Black Pearl).

Optional features in the Volkswagen Golf 8 R include IQ.Light LED Matrix headlights, Akrapovič R Performance exhaust, Head-Up Display, Harman Kardon sound system, Parallel Park Assist, Rear Assist with a rear view camera, Blind spot monitor with Rear Traffic Alert, Lane Assist and electronically folding side mirrors, Travel Assist with Lane Assist and Adaptive Cruise Control, Adaptive Cruise Control with Front Assist, Autonomous Emergency Braking System as well as the Black Performance Package (includes drift mode, an increased top speed of 270 km/h and black 19-inch Estoril alloy wheels).

“Production constraints and parts shortages severely derailed our launch plans, but we are excited to finally extend the performance range in South Africa with the introduction of the new Golf 8 R. The Golf 8 R joins the Golf GTI and the Tiguan R as Volkswagen’s performance derivatives in the South African market,” said Steffen Knapp, Head of the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand.

Recommended Retail Price (VAT and emissions tax included)

Golf R 2.0 TSI 235kW DSG® R912 800

The Golf 8 R also comes standard with a 3 year/120 000km warranty, 5 year/ 100 000km EasyDrive Maintenance Plan and a 12-year anti-corrosion warranty. The service interval is 15 000km

The Golf 8 GTI is now officially on sale in South Africa

vuyi on September 10, 2021

The Golf 8 GTI officially went on sale on 1 September 2021.

The Golf 8 GTI officially went on sale on 1 September 2021 and AVIS was Volkswagen South Africa’s first customer.

2021 is a special year for Volkswagen and AVIS as we celebrate our 50-year partnership.
– said Rebone Motsatsi, AVIS Executive: Car Rental Operations

“Part of our success as a brand is attributed to sales to the rental industry. Volkswagen has the highest passenger car share of the rental market which is 34%. AVIS remains a key strategic partner for the Volkswagen brand because it accounts for 50% of our rental channel sales,” said Steffen Knapp, head of the Volkswagen Passenger Cars Brand.

Over 7 000 units are sold to AVIS each year, which is approximately 10% of Volkswagen’s total annual vehicles sold in South Africa.

AVIS remains a key strategic partner for the Volkswagen brand because it accounts for 50% of our rental channel sales.
– Steffen Knapp, head of the Volkswagen Passenger Cars Brand

The partnership between Volkswagen and AVIS began in January 1971 with the delivery of 96 Beetle 1300s. A year later, Avis tripled the order which included 1600cc Beetles, Type 4s and Microbuses. By 1981, Volkswagen has sold its 10 000th car to AVIS which was a Golf.

In 1996, AVIS became Volkswagen’s biggest customer when a record number of 3 805 vehicles were delivered to them during that year. In 2008, Volkswagen delivered the 100 000th vehicle to AVIS and to date over 200 000 units have been delivered to AVIS.

“2021 is a special year for Volkswagen and AVIS as we celebrate our 50-year partnership. We are proud of how the partnership between the two organisations has grown since the humble beginnings in 1971. We are also excited to be the first customer to take delivery of the Golf 8 GTI in South Africa which will be an important model of our AVIS Luxury Cars fleet,” said Rebone Motsatsi, AVIS Executive: Car Rental Operations.

In 2020, the Golf range was No.1 in the A Hatch segment with a share of 29.1%. The Golf 8 GTI is set to continue the success of the hot hatch and to date over 1 000 customers have shown interest in the GTI since pre-orders went live on 19 July 2021.

Volkswagen South Africa teases with images of Golf 8 GTI

vuyi on August 12, 2021

The eighth generation Volkswagen Golf GTI will be launched in South Africa from the third quarter of 2021.

The Golf 8 GTI is Volkswagen’s highly anticipated vehicle launch this year. South Africa is one of the biggest Golf GTI markets outside of Europe.

The Golf 7 GTI has sold over 14 000 units since its launch in South Africa in July 2013. The Golf was also the best-selling model range in the A Hatch segment in South Africa last year with a 29.1% segment share.

The most digitally advanced Golf GTI has been given 11kW more power than its predecessor. The 2.0l turbocharged engine now develops 180kW with a torque peak of 370Nm.

The four-cylinder engine is coupled with a 7-speed dual clutch transmission. It takes 6.4 seconds to complete the 0 – 100km/h sprint.

Recommended Retail Price (VAT and emissions tax included): Golf GTI 2.0 TSI 180kW DSG® R669 300

The Volkswagen Golf GTI comes standard with a 3 year/120 000km warranty, 5 year/ 90 000km EasyDrive Service Plan and a 12-year anti-corrosion warranty. The service interval is 15 000km.

Get ready for the new VW Golf 8 GTI, coming to a dealership near you

vuyi on April 30, 2021

The Golf 8 GTI, Volkswagen’s highly anticipated hot hatch is set to launch in the third quarter of this year.

The eighth generation Volkswagen Golf GTI will be launched in South Africa from the third quarter of 2021.

Volkswagen’s launch plans for the Golf 8 GTI include a digital South African premiere and countrywide customer events which will allow enthusiasts to be among the first to experience the new Golf GTI.

“The Volkswagen Group has been impacted by the global shortage of the semiconductor chips and all vehicles built on the MQB platform have been affected. For this reason, the launch of the Golf 8 GTI in South Africa will now move to the third quarter,” said Steffen Knapp, Head of the Volkswagen Passenger Car Brand.

“We are working closely with our German counterparts to ensure that we get as many Golf 8 GTI units for the local market as possible. A few Golf 8 GTI units started arriving in the country from mid-April. These units will be stockpiled until we have enough vehicles for the launch at the beginning of the third quarter,” added Knapp.

The Golf 8 GTI is Volkswagen’s highly anticipated vehicle launch this year. South Africa is one of the biggest Golf GTI markets outside of Europe. The Golf 7 GTI sold over 14 000 units since its launch in South Africa in July 2013. The Golf was also the best-selling model range in the A Hatch segment in South Africa last year with a 29.1% segment share.

Fasten your seatbelt and get ready for the VW Golf 8 GTI

vuyi on March 8, 2021

The eighth generation Volkswagen Golf GTI will be launched in South Africa in the second quarter of 2021.

Launched at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt 45 years ago, South Africa is one of the biggest Golf GTI markets outside of Europe with 34% of the total seventh generation of Golf sales being the GTI derivative.

The Golf model range was also the best-selling in the A Hatch segment in South Africa last year with a 29.1% segment share. The current generation Golf GTI has sold 14 252 units since its launch in South Africa in July 2013.

Unmistakably GTI

The GTI’s formula for success is that its DNA has never changed. It still has a clean design, front-wheel drive, an agile running gear, a powerful petrol engine and insignias like the red stripe in the radiator grille.

At the front, the wide air intakes, low-positioned standard LED headlights and unmistakable signature light on the radiator grille are particularly distinctive. The latter is illuminated for the first time by a narrow LED strip, which flows on the left and right into the headlight modules. The LED headlights feature 22 individual LEDs per headlight matrix signal. Drivers can customise their cars with the optional and sliding turn indicators.

At the rear, the roof spoiler, diffuser and two round tailpipes located at the outer sides are striking distinguishing features of the new GTI.

Digital and innovative

The Golf GTI’s ignition lock has been replaced by an engine start/stop button (standard equipment), which is notable in that once the doors are opened, it pulses red until the engine is started.
This is the first generation of Golf GTI to have a completely digitalised interior landscape of displays and controls.
The digital displays of the standard InnoVision cockpit and infotainment system start up as soon as the doors are opened.
The previous three-spoke sports steering wheel has been transformed into a new multi-function leather sports steering wheel with touch controls.
The interior is optimised through the standard InnoVision Cockpit (digital display) which is 10.25 inches wide.
The conventional controls for the headlights as well as fog lights have been changed to a digital panel.
The new Golf GTI features a smaller gear knob as a result of adopting a shift-by-wire system.
Swiping actions are also required to change the volume and temperature.
Ambient lighting is also a standard feature which gives drivers 30 interior colours to choose from.
The Golf 8 GTI will be the second model in the Volkswagen range to come available with the optional Harmon Kardon sound system with a 12-channel amplifier with 480W output as well as eight speakers, one centre speaker and a subwoofer.

Standard and optional equipment

The Golf 8 GTI in South Africa only comes in one derivative. Standard features include; 18-inch Richmond alloy wheels, Lights and Vision Package including high-beam control light assist, Climatronic air conditioning, heated leather-wrapped multi-function sports steering wheel with touch control and shifting paddles, GTI Vienna leather seats, keyless locking and starting system, Composition Media Radio, multi-colour InnoVision Cockpit, App-Connect, Cruise Control with speed limiter, Park Distance Control, mobile phone interface with inductive charging function as well as 30-colour ambient lighting.

Optional features include; panoramic sunroof, mechanically swivelling trailer hitch, IQ Light: LED Matrix Headlights, Black Styling Package with black 18-inch Bergamo alloy wheels, Head-up Display, Adaptive chassis control including driving profile selection, smokers package, 19-inch Adelaide alloy wheels, Harmon Kardon sound system, Discover Pro Radio (Satellite Navigation, USB, Wireless App-Connect and Voice Control), Park Assist (parallel parking assistant), Rear Assist with rear view camera, Blind spot monitor (Rear Traffic Alert and Lane Assist including Electronically Folding Mirrors), Travel Assist (Lane Assist with Adaptive Cruise Control) and Adaptive cruise control with Front Assist and Autonomous Emergency Braking.

The new Golf GTI will be available in three solid paint exterior colours (Pure White, Urano Grey, and Moonstone Grey), four metallic colours (Dolphin Grey, Atlantic Blue, Kings Red and Reflex Silver) and two pearlescent colours (Deep Black Pearl and Oryx White Pearl).

Networked and with active driving dynamics.

The iconic Golf has been given 11kW more power than its predecessor. The 2.0l turbocharged front-wheel drive engine now develops 180kW and a torque of 370Nm. The four-cylinder engine is coupled with a 7-speed dual clutch transmission. It takes 6.4 seconds to complete the 0 – 100km/h sprint.

Pricing for the new Golf 8 GTI will be announced closer to the launch date.