New VW Golf GTI launched in South Africa – Pricing and features

VW has announced that the highly anticipated and temporarily delayed Golf 8.5 GTI is officially on sale in South Africa.

While South Africa’s favourite hot hatch was delayed due to fears over local fuel quality, the German automaker could not keep it away forever.

The flagship model has seen massive global success, selling more than 2.3 million units worldwide, and its latest version hopes to add to that success.

VW not only gave the GTI a facelift, but it also boosted its power output by 15kW and fitted the latest edition with a completely overhauled interior.

Buyers looking to get their hands on VW’s hot hatch can expect to pay R908,000, which includes all relevant taxes and a 3-year/120,000km warranty and 5-year/90,000km service plan.

Performance

As a high-performance model, the Golf 8.5 GTI is built on a MacPherson front axle and a four-link rear axle, forming the basic layout of the GTI’s sports running gear.

VW noted that it offers an individual ESC control system for use in racing conditions, as well as a special 17-inch brake system for superior braking performance.

More components developed and adapted especially for the GTI include progressive steering, its Vehicle Dynamics Manager, a front-axle differential lock and the Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) system.

The hot hatch is offered with a drivetrain featuring the 2.0-litre TSI motor alongside a seven-speed DSG transmission.

This configuration produces 195kW and 370Nm, letting the GTI sprint to 100km/h in 5.9 seconds, before reaching a top speed of 250km/h.

Drivers also have the option of four driving profiles: Eco, Comfort, Sport and Individual.

Features

The all-new Golf GTI features a sharpened exterior, aimed at enhancing its iconic silhouette, as well as newly developed front and rear lights.

In the front, the GTI features LED Plus headlights, which were designed to create a more linear and striking appearance, and have been fitted into a new-look grille to emphasise the model’s look.

The grille features a horizontal LED strip, complemented by the signature red line that has been a part of the GTI’s styling since 1976.

As in other new-generation VW models, the “VW” logo in the front has been illuminated.

The automaker opted to replace the narrow “GTI” lettering found near the A-pillars in older models with three individual red-on-chrome letters taking its place.

Completing the GTI’s new look is a set of 19-inch Queenstown alloy wheels – a completely new development designed exclusively for the GTI models.

On the inside, VW completely redesigned both the hardware and software of the Golf GTI’s infotainment system, which is based on the fourth-generation modular infotainment system.

Improvements have been made to the system’s operation, thanks to brand-new graphics and a completely new structure for the Discover Pro touch display.

Fitted as standard are Vienna leather premium sport seats with integrated head restraints, and decorative red “GTI” stitching on the seats, centre armrest, floor mats and multifunction steering wheel.

The latter has been finished in perforated leather, offering a comfortable grip, and also features “GTI” lettering and red accents found across the rest of the interior.

Exclusive to the Golf GTI is the engine Start/Stop button, which pulses red after the doors are opened until the engine is started.

Other standard interior cosmetic features include pedal caps in brushed stainless steel and a black headliner.

VW Golf 8.5 GTI