WeeklySA_AdminENTRY-LEVEL: Smart and stylish but the newcomer has its work cut out in a highly competitive sector…
By Ali Mphaki
It is not a GTI, but its a Golf nonetheless. Coming in as an entry-level model to the celebrated Golf model range, the new VW Golf does nothing to diminish the brand’s reputation save to make the iconic German marque a tad more affordable to its legion of South African fans.
For a vehicle introduced as a compact car to succeed the iconic VW Beetle way back in 1974, its a bit ironic that after eight generations the VW Golf has been able to shed its highly attractive price tag to become one of the most expensive yet highly-sought after brand.
In its latest incarnation the VW Golf is offered in a new light design which to the untrained eye can easily be mistaken for its other sibling, the VW Scirocco. Featuring a revamped front and rear end design, some of its visually defining features include the Volkswagen logo, which is illuminated for the first time on the Golf, and the newly designed LED headlights. The IQ.LIGHT LED matrix headlights incorporate a new high-performance main beam with a range of up to 500 m.
Available in the Life, Life +, R-Line and R-Line + equipment lines, the three derivatives boast almost similar features, but there is more glitz as you go up the range.
The Golf Life, the “entry level” of the entry level Golf, features a 12,9-inch Infotainment Radio, 6-speaker audio system, 10-colour Ambient Lighting Dashboard and 10-inch Integrated Digital Cockpit. The Life derivative comes standard with 16-inch Norfolk alloy wheels.
The Life + derivative features Driver Profile Selection, rear view camera, 30 colour ambient lighting and Art-velours sports comfort seats package.
The R-Line derivative features Multi-Function heated steering wheel with shifting paddles, Progressive steering with sports suspension, Climatronic 3 zone automatic climate control with allergen filter and controls in the rear, keyless entry, R-Line seat trim covers with head rest intergrated into the seat for a sporty look,
Park Assist with Park Distance Control, body covered bumpers in R-Line style including 17-inch Coventry alloy wheels complimented with LED plus headlamps.
The R-Line + comes standard with IQ Matrix LED Headlights with illuminated VW front logo, power adjustable driver seat, active high beam, heated & cooling front seats, Vienna leather seats with R-Line logo in front, padels in brushed stainless steel and 18-inch Leeds alloy wheels.
The new Golf is powered by a 1.4TSI 110kW engine mated to a 8-speed tiptronic transmission. The engine develops maximum torque of 250 Nm available between 1500 – 4000 rpm.
With rivals which include the Peugeot 308, Toyota Corolla, as well as the Mercedes A-Class (not forgetting a host of more affordable Chines products), it remains to be seen how the new VW Golf will be able to continue to win the hearts and purses in the face of such stringent competition.
Prices (VAT and emissions tax included)
Golf 1.4l TSI 110kW Tiptronic Life R580,900
Golf 1.4l TSI 110kW Tiptronic Life + R604,500
Golf 1.4l TSI 110kW Tiptronic R-line R660,000
Golf 1.4l TSI 110kWTiptronic R-line + R688,100
* VW has been extra busy since the new year also revealing the specifications for the upcoming Tayron – the brand’s latest seven-seater SUV. The Tayron will go on sale in South Africa in the second half of 2025 with two derivatives – the Life and the R-line. The Tayron is replacing the Tiguan Allspace as the brand’s new midsize seven-seater SUV, and is positioned between the Tiguan and the larger Touareg.
VW has announced that it is bringing two new vans to South Africa this year – the Crafter and the Transporter.
The Crafter will arrive in the first half of 2025, while the Transporter will appear in the second half of the year.
