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IOL News
a day ago
- Automotive
- IOL News
Sublime Volkswagen Golf TSI begs the question: Do you really need that SUV?
The Golf TSI is back, and better than ever! Image: Supplied Following a hiatus of more than five years, the 'normal' Volkswagen Golf is finally available in Mzansi once again. Initially, the eighth-generation hatchback was released in GTI and R formats, but with the facelifted performance models being delayed due to fuel quality concerns, VWSA decided to reintroduce the once-popular 1.4 TSI version. The C-segment hatchback market has all but dried up in recent years as buyers flock to SUVs, but the new Golf 8.5 TSI has sold in semi-healthy numbers since its introduction. In the past three months, Volkswagen has sold an average of 130 Golfs per month, which is albeit still somewhat behind the Tiguan SUV's figure of 247 units. Of course, the Golf is less practical than its SUV sibling, with relatively tight rear legroom by comparison and a smaller boot, at 381 litres versus 652, but at a push, the iconic hatchback can still pass muster as a small family vehicle if need be. The Golf is somewhat cheaper too, with the base Life version starting at R580,900, stretching to R604,500 for the Life Plus, R660,000 for the R-Line, and R688,100 for the R-Line Plus. The Tiguan, by comparison, costs R664,500 in base form and R781,600 in R-Line form, while the slightly smaller T-Roc has bookends of R648,900 and R760,100, for what it's worth. The R-Line Plus comes with a unique exterior package and 18-inch wheels. Image: Supplied Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Not only is the Golf TSI cheaper than these SUVs that have taken the world by storm, but it's also more rewarding to drive. As it's positioned lower to the ground, the Golf offers superior handling, and being lighter and more aerodynamic, it is faster and more fuel efficient. According to Volkswagen, the Golf TSI accelerates from 0-100km/h in 8.5 seconds and sips 6.3 litres per 100km on the combined cycle, versus the Tiguan's 9.2 seconds to 100 and 7.6 l/100km consumption. The Golf TSI's driving experience is sublime, to say the least. Though powered by the familiar 1.4–litre turbopetrol, which has been around for some time, acceleration is brisk and smooth, and certainly feels gutsier than its 100kW, 250Nm outputs suggest. Its eight-speed automatic gearbox changes on a dime and syncs perfectly with the turbocharged engine. Handling. Tick. Steering feel. Tick. Ride quality. Tick. The Golf TSI excels in all parameters and is also impressively quiet and refined on the road, even at much higher highway speeds. Looks-wise, the R-Line Plus model that we tested recently could almost pass for a GTI with its unique R-Line frontal treatment, Matrix LED headlights, and 18-inch 'Leeds' alloy wheels. Cabin ergonomics are impressive for the most part. Image: Supplied Inside, it comes with brushed stainless steel pedals and Vienna leather seats, which are heated and cooled upfront, with electric adjustment for the driver. Also part of the deal, and as per the regular R-Line version, is three-zone automatic climate control, keyless entry, Park Assist, heated steering wheel and a 30-colour ambient lighting system. Interior functionality has improved with the Golf '8.5' facelift, and those awful touch sliders on the steering wheel have thankfully been replaced with physical buttons. I also really appreciate the fact that the start button, gear selector, and electronic handbrake are all located in close proximity on the centre console. The only downside, ergonomically, is that the climate functions are still controlled via the touchscreen, but this has become the norm nowadays and there is at least a shortcut button for this function. VERDICT If you don't really need an SUV (honestly, you probably don't) and you can live without the GTI's performance, the Golf 1.4 TSI marks a welcome return to the well-balanced C-segment hatchback that the Golf always was. It's not cheap necessarily, but certainly better than ever, and with a Polo 1.0 TSI R-Line now costing half a million, the Golf could well be worth the extra outlay. IOL Motoring The Golf TSI is back, and better than ever! Image: Supplied Cabin ergonomics are impressive for the most part. Image: Supplied
The Herald
17-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Herald
More powerful VW Amarok and Golf GTI to make SA debut soon
The new Amarok will not be the only topic at VW's stand, though. With the launch of the new Tayron SUV imminent, the replacement of the seven-seat Tiguan Allspace will be available for viewing, including the new Crafter commercial range to be launched in September. VWSA says visitors to its stand will also be treated to the reveal of another exciting new model, the facelifted Mk8 Golf GTI, colloquially known as the 8.5. The updated 195kW GTI we drove in Wolfsburg, Germany, a few months ago was not part of the market introduction of the new enhancements earlier in the year, with only the 1.4 TSI models going on sale.
TimesLIVE
17-07-2025
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
More powerful VW Amarok and Golf GTI to make SA debut soon
Volkswagen has confirmed it will use the coming Festival of Motoring at Kyalami on August 29-31 to announce a new engine derivative for its Amarok double cab bakkie range and one other new model. The hotter Amarok, powered by a 2.3 l turbocharged petrol four-cylinder engine, was announced in 2022 when the rest of the range debuted in this market. The new motor is a more performance-orientated unit developing 222kW, a higher output than the 184kW produced by the now range-topping 3.0 V6 turbodiesel powering the Amarok Panamericana and Aventura models. VWSA says its local launch is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2025, but the company could not be drawn on pricing and other details, saying more details will be shared closer to the launch. The new Amarok will not be the only topic at VW's stand, though. With the launch of the new Tayron SUV imminent, the replacement of the seven-seat Tiguan Allspace will be available for viewing, including the new Crafter commercial range to be launched in September. VWSA says visitors to its stand will also be treated to the reveal of another exciting new model, the facelifted Mk8 Golf GTI, colloquially known as the 8.5. The updated 195kW GTI we drove in Wolfsburg, Germany, a few months ago was not part of the market introduction of the new enhancements earlier in the year, with only the 1.4 TSI models going on sale. Any hopes that locals would see the new Tengo compact crossover, which is to be built at VW's plant in Kariega, at the show were dashed. The company says it'll show up next year, despite upgrades to prepare for its assembly in Gqeberha having been completed.
The Citizen
06-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
VW drops price on T-Cross base model to take fight to the Chinese
Volkswagen banks on brand's rich local heritage to fend off onslaught from the People's Republic. In February this year Volkswagen South Africa (VWSA) announced that were adding two new entry-level derivatives to their top selling T-Cross line-up. A 1.0 TSI 70kW Base fitted with a five-speed manual transmission and a 1.0 TSI 85kW Base with a double clutch setup, priced at R400 700 and R418 200 respectively. Fast forward some five months, and an invite arrived for us to go spend some time with VWSA and get acquainted with the VW T-Cross in the metal this time. A 1.0 TSI 70kW Base was dropped off at The Citizen Motoring's office for us to use for a few weeks and to get to the event as part of an impromptu media launch-type drive. Psychological R400k barrier Now while we expected the spec to be exactly that same, what we did not expect was that VWSA had quietly dropped the price on the 70kW Base model to R399 900. Citing unrelenting market pressure from the Chinese, who are extremely active in this segment, as one of the reasons they wanted the entry level T-Cross to come in under the psychological R400 000 barrier. This makes perfectly good business sense especially when you consider that the VW T-Cross is 100% under fire from the likes of Chery with their Tiggo 4 Pro. Offering seven model derivatives ranging in price from R269 900 to R386 900 it's easy to see why the Chery Tiggo 4 is shooting the lights out. This Chinese offering has in fact now moved up to be South Africa's third best-selling passenger car behind the VW Polo Vivo and Toyota Corolla Cross. The VW T-Cross Base features an 8-inch digital cockpit. Picture: Mark Jones Not flashy, but solid The 1.0 TSI 70 kW Base VW T-Cross comes kitted with the basics like a 8-inch digital cockpit, App-Connect, multi-function steering wheel, 2 USB ports in front, two speakers, central locking, childproof locks on rear doors, interior cloth trim for seats and door trim, air-conditioner, hill assist, 16-inch wheels and a tyre pressure monitoring system. While not flashy in any way, all the controls fall easy to hand, and are easy to use in typical VW fashion. The Chery Tiggo 4 offers 108kW and 210Nm, and the 70kW and 175Nm on tap from the 1.0 TSI Base is never going to feel racy. And it isn't. VWSA claim a 0-100km/h sprint time of 11.5 seconds and a top speed of 180 km/h. But what is maybe of more importance is that the claimed fuel consumption number is just 5.9-litres per 100km. And here the Chery Tiggo 4 falls short. ALSO READ: Facelift Volkswagen T-Cross base models finally priced VW T-Cross banks on brand heritage So, while seemingly outgunned on price and spec on paper, VWSA are counting on their legacy, reputation for quality. And on people still having the desire to own a Volkswagen. It's a tough ask in a very price sensitive part of the market. But this fight might pass down to the new locally produced Tengo compact crossover. It will hit the market in 2027 as a more affordable replacement for the overseas sourced T-Cross. The VW T-Cross comes standard with a three-year/120 000km warranty and three-year/45 000km service plan.
Zawya
17-06-2025
- Automotive
- Zawya
Volkswagen Group issues recall for Polo and Taigo models in South Africa
Volkswagen Group South Africa (VWSA) has issued a safety recall for 142 Polo vehicles and eight Taigo models due to a potentially dangerous fault in the passenger airbag system. The affected vehicles, sold between December 2022 and January 2024, may contain defective gas generators in the front passenger airbag module. According to the National Consumer Commission (NCC), the defect could result in the airbag failing to deploy properly during an accident. In some cases, the gas generator housing might rupture or dislodge fragments into the cabin, significantly increasing the risk of serious or fatal injuries to passengers. The NCC confirmed it was officially notified by VWSA of the fault. As a precaution, affected owners are being urged to deactivate the front passenger airbag and to avoid using the front passenger seat entirely until repairs have been completed. VWSA has advised customers to visit any approved dealership for an inspection and replacement of the affected components if necessary. The recall affects 141 Polo units released for sale nationally from 20 December 2022, along with one additional Polo and eight Taigo vehicles sold from 29 January 2024. The NCC emphasised that this recall falls under the Consumer Protection Act, which allows the commission to act swiftly in the interest of public safety. While this recall is relatively limited in scale, it follows a broader safety campaign by Volkswagen Group South Africa in 2025 involving over 900 Polo sedans recalled for faulty rear-seatbelt latch plates, as reported by The Citizen. On the global stage, Volkswagen has also conducted major airbag-related recalls, including one in the U.S. covering more than 114,000 vehicles with Takata inflators that risk exploding due to propellant degradation, as reported by Reuters. Consumers can use Volkswagen South Africa's online recall tool to check whether their vehicle is affected. The NCC is urging swift action, warning that ignoring the recall could expose vehicle occupants to severe harm in the event of a collision. For further information, affected customers may contact the NCC directly or reach out to VWSA dealerships for immediate assistance. All rights reserved. © 2022. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
