Officially back: Volkswagen prices Golf 8.5 1.4 TSI

Announced towards the end of last year as having received approval for South Africa, Volkswagen used its second product Indaba at its factory in Kariega on Wednesday (5 February) to officially reveal as well as confirm price and specification details of the facelift Golf 8.5.

Debuting on the back of its global reveal in January last year, the last iteration Golf to offer a combustion engine won’t be made available solely in base trim as previously reported, but in a range of four variants powered by a single TSI engine.

Standardised line-up

For the time being the only Golf 8.5 to be marketed locally as a result of fuel quality concerns hampering the GTI and R, the first non-sporting Golf since the Mk 7.5 will have a choice of four trim grades; Life, Life+, R-Line, and R-Line+, with motivation coming from the stalwart 1.4 TSI engine.

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The same unit used in the new Tiguan as a result of the newer 1.5 TSI Evo in Europe being ill-suited to South Africa’s fuel, the 1.4 develops 110kW/250Nm directed to the front wheels through an eight-speed Tiptronic gearbox rather than the ubiquitous seven-speed DSG.

Unlike on the Old Continent, neither the mild-hybrid eTSI nor the plug-in hybrid eHybrid will be offered, with the same applying to the 2.0 TDI.

Spec

In terms of specification, the Life comes standard with the 10-inch Digital Cockpit instrument cluster and 12.9-inch infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, LED headlights, 16-inch Norfolk alloy wheels, ambient lighting, a six-speaker sound system and cruise control.

Moving up to the Life+ nets an expanded ambient lighting package with 20 additional hues for a total of 30, reverse camera and the Art Velours-trimmed seats.

First of the sporty variants, the R-Line recieves tri-zone climate control, the R-Line bumpers and side skirts, 17-inch Coventry alloys, LED puddle lamps, a heated multi-function steering wheel with affixed paddle shifters, and sport suspension.

Adding further is keyless entry, sport steering, rear air vents, R embroidered front headrests, front and rear parking sensors, and Park Assist.

Finally, the R-Line+ adds the Auto High Beam Assist Matrix I.Q. LED headlights, the illuminated logo bar and Volkswagen badge, plus heated and ventilated front seats, 18-inch Leeds alloy wheels, brushed stainless pedals, Vienna leather upholstery and electric adjustment for the driver’s seat.

Price

Set to go on-sale before the first quarter of the year finishes, pricing is as follows;

• Golf 1.4 TSI Life Tiptronic – R580 900
• Golf 1.4 TSI Life+ Tiptronic – R604 500
• Golf 1.4 TSI R-Line Tiptronic – R660 000
• Golf 1.4 TSI R-Line+ Tiptronic – R688 100

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