The Golf 8 GTI is now officially available from Volkswagen Dealers in South Africa. As of 1 September 2021, VW fans were able to place their orders for the new iteration of the much-loved hatchback. In 2020, the Golf range was No.1 in the A Hatch segment with a share of 29.1% of the market. 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.
Sales of the eighth-generation Volkswagen Golf GTI in South Africa saw a delay due to the global shortage of semiconductor chips. All vehicles built on the MQB platform were affected and for this reason, the launch of the Golf 8 GTI in South Africa was moved to the third quarter of 2021.
VW says its new model is the most digitally advanced Golf GTI ever made and it 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. Rather impressively, the hatchback takes 6.4 seconds to complete the 0 – 100km/h sprint.
The GTI’s formula for success is that its DNA has never changed, and this new model is unmistakably GTI. It still has a clean design, front-wheel drive, the most agile running gear, a powerful petrol engine and insignias like the red stripe in the radiator grille.
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Digital and innovative
Volkswagen has digitalised the new Golf GTI with a multitude of intelligent assistance systems to go along with its powerful and stylish design. The Golf GTI’s ignition lock has been replaced by an engine start/stop button (standard equipment) and this is the first generation of Golf GTI to have a completely digitalised interior landscape of displays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. A new multi-function leather sports steering wheel with touch controls replaces the previous three-spoke sports steering wheel and 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. 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.
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Optional features include; panoramic sunroof, mechanically swivelling trailer hitch, Park Assist (parallel parking assistant), Rear Assist with rearview 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).
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Recommended Retail Price:
The Golf GTI 2.0 TSI 180kW DSG is now available at a recommended retail price of 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.
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