Golf VIII breaks cover
Taken place in Wolfsburg, Germany, Volkswagen has introduced the highly anticipated eighth-generation Golf.
The international event which revealed one of the most popular cars of modern times was live-streamed and local media spent time with Volkswagen Group South Africa, in Sandton to get the first glimpse of the German model. This reveal format was fitting to themes found in the new car; digitalized and connected. The Golf VIII now features an online connectivity unit (OCU) which not only connects the vehicles but also with services outside of your car via an integrated eSIM. In addition to the Digital Cockpit and Innovision Cockpit’s online functions and services, the new Golf comes with Car2X system which interprets traffic signals and receives information from other vehicles up to 800m away and then notifies the driver of any important information via a standard display or the optional heads-up display.
“In a world where complexity is ever-increasing, the new Volkswagen Golf allows the driver to operate the vehicle intuitively,” Klaus Bischoff, Head Designer at Volkswagen. The interior of the vehicle also follow the theme of digitization, Volkswagen has replaced traditional buttons and rotary dials with touch buttons and touch sliders and features across the cabin and on the online infotainment system. “This car is completely new. But of course, a Golf always remains a Golf. Because the underlying concept is timeless. This car has defined our brand over the decades. The Golf has consistently made new technologies available for everyone,” Ralf Brandstätter, Chief Operating Officer of Volkswagen Passenger Cars.
South Africa can expect three engine derivatives, firstly the familiar but update 1.4-litre TSI while the GTI and R derivatives will feature 2.0-litre petrol motors. Volkswagen also said that they will not be introducing any diesel derivatives to the local market, instead, they might consider bringing an eTSI model which utilizes a belt starter generator and a 48V lithium-ion battery to create a mild hybrid drive. For the first time, Volkswagen will only be offering the Golf with DSG transmissions with no option of a manual.
While the German dealerships will take delivery in December 2019, South Africa can expect the new Golf to arrive later in 2020. Pricing and warrantees will be revealed closer to the time of the local launch.
