VW fans have a lot to look forward to in the near future, as the automaker has big plans for the second half of 2024.
While the German carmaker has kept relatively quiet so far this year, the brand is gearing up for a succession of big-name launches with the introduction of at least four new models.
What’s coming
The first and arguably most significant launch is the ID.4, Volkswagen’s first fully electric car in South Africa.
The company confirmed that the ID.4 would make a local debut as far back as 2021, but its launch date has been quietly pushed back several times.
The delay is likely due to the carmaker conducting research to determine whether South Africa is ready for its electric vehicles (EVs), as several other manufacturers have also been reluctant to introduce their models in an environment of load-shedding, high inflation, and lacking demand.
Nevertheless, the incoming model will be the first to make a local appearance from the brand’s ID. range of EVs with its launch scheduled for later this month.
The public won’t be able to get their hands on it just yet, however, as VW’s cautious approach means the ID.4 will first be rolled out as part of a commercial and media test fleet.
The other three models coming to South Africa all belong to VW’s selection of T-badged SUVs.
The first of these is the Tiguan, one of the country’s most popular midsize SUVs, which was supposed to arrive in June but has since been postponed to between July and September.
The next-gen Tiguan is built on the company’s MQB Evo platform and will receive a wide selection of new powertrains, including turbo-diesel (TDI) and turbo-petrol (TSI) options.
In other markets, it is also sold with both mild-hybrid (eTSI), and plug-in hybrid (eHybrid) drivetrains, but it is unlikely that we will be getting these as VW has cited concerns with the quality of South Africa’s fuel, which would cause problems for these more advanced systems.
One major new feature to highlight is the reworked interior, which now comes with a 10.25-inch digital driver’s display and a central touchscreen up to 15 inches in size.
Another model expected very soon is the new Touareg, which is the automaker’s flagship vehicle in Mzansi.
The Touareg may be getting a facelift rather than a new generation, but the changes will still be significant, as it, too, was on the receiving end of a variety of different powerplants, though again the hybrid units sold overseas are unlikely to reach us.
In contrast, the models currently available locally are exclusively paired to a V6 turbo-diesel mill.
The range-topping VW naturally comes with all of the brand’s best features, such as all-wheel steering, active roll compensation and suspension that can detect when there is a load on the roof and adjust the stability control automatically to compensate.
Like the Tiguan, the Touareg’s launch was delayed but it is now expected to arrive by the end of September.
Finally, there’s the updated T-Cross, which will bring appreciated revisions to VW’s entry-level crossover.
The trim levels are being renamed, with the “Comfortline” and “Highline” badges disappearing for a new roster that runs from Base to Life, Style, and R-Line.
Unlike the other units, the T-Cross is likely to keep its existing engine line-up, which consists of two 1.0-litre turbo-petrol units and a 1.5-litre turbo.
A big new item for the crossover is the addition of Matrix LED headlights, which are available on the other two SUVs as well, though their inclusion here is much more significant given that these headlamps are typically only found on high-end vehicles in South Africa.
VW has still not confirmed when the T-Cross will land in South Africa, but it’s likely that it will appear later than the other two SUVs so as to give each unit its time in the spotlight.
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