Volkswagen Golf 8.5 No new GTI for now, but if it's any consolation, South Africans can have a TSI again.
Image: Supplied
Volkswagen South Africa made a bold move with the eighth-generation Golf by introducing only the high-performance GTI and R variants.
These were the ones that most customers really wanted, they argued, as the regular TSI and TDI versions were consigned to history.
But with the facelifted Golf ‘8.5’ GTI being held back from local introduction for the time being, due to South Africa’s poor fuel quality, the local division has done an about-turn by reintroducing the 1.4 TSI variants.
Officially launched in South Africa this week, the Golf 8.5 1.4 TSI is available in four trim flavours, with pricing starting below the R600,000 mark:
All are powered by Volkswagen’s 1.4-litre turbopetrol engine, which pushes 110kW and 250Nm through the front wheels via an eight-speed automatic gearbox.
The Golf TSI is available in four flavours, topped by the R-Line Plus. The Golf TSI is available in four flavours, topped by the R-Line Plus.
Image: Supplied
All of that, says VW, is enough to launch it from 0-100km/h in 8.5 seconds, while the claimed combined fuel consumption figure is listed at 6.3 litres per 100km. Expect it to use more than that in real-world conditions though.
As the facelifted version of the regular Golf 8 that we never received in South Africa, the hatchback boasts redesigned front bumpers, which differ depending on the model, as well as optional LED Matrix headlights and an illuminated VW badge upfront.
Inside it gains a new infotainment system, with revised graphics and an improved menu structure.
The entry-level Golf Life features 16-inch Norfolk alloy wheels, Eco LED headlights, a 10-inch digital instrument cluster, 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with App Connect and six-speaker radio, cruise control and a 10-colour ambient lighting system.
Additionally, the Life Plus comes with Art-velour sports comfort seats, Driver Profile Selection, reverse camera and 30-colour ambient lighting system.
The R-Line gains a unique exterior design package, including 17-inch Coventry alloy wheels, LED Plus headlights and sports suspension.
Cabin features, over and above what you get in the Life models, include three-zone automatic climate control, keyless entry, Park Assist with Park Distance Control and a heated steering wheel with shift paddles.
The cabin is highly digitised. The cabin is highly digitised.
Image: Supplied
Further to that, the R-Line Plus ships with 18-inch Leeds alloy wheels, IQ Matrix LED headlights and an illuminated VW front logo. Interior additions include brushed stainless steel pedals and Vienna leather seats, which are heated and cooled upfront, and with electric adjustment for the driver.
All versions of the new Volkswagen Golf 8.5 are sold with a three-year or 120,000km warranty as well as a five-year or 90,000km service plan.
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