The wait is over, the legendary Volkswagen Golf GTI is back, this time in its refreshed Mk8.5 generation. Known as South Africa’s favourite hot hatch, the GTI continues to set benchmarks with over 2.3 million units sold worldwide since its debut.
Now, it evolves once again, packing more power, upgraded from 180kW to 195kW plus cutting-edge tech that pushes performance and driving excitement to the next level.
Exterior and Design
The new Golf GTI’s exterior has been sharpened to accentuate its iconic character. It now boasts newly developed LED Plus headlights that present a more linear and visually striking design. These headlight housings seamlessly merge with the radiator grille, emphasizing the GTI’s bold stance. A standard horizontal LED strip in the grille and the signature red line, a hallmark since 1976, further enhances its recognizable look.
For the first time, the illuminated Volkswagen logo at the front creates an unmistakable GTI light signature.
At the rear, newly designed LED taillight clusters lend the Golf GTI a fresh and distinctive appearance. And when viewed from the side, the new 19-inch Queenstown alloy wheels, exclusive to GTI models, and the updated red-on-chrome GTI lettering signify this hot hatch’s undeniable presence.
Interior and Tech
Inside, the Golf GTI now boasts a completely redesigned infotainment system based on the fourth-generation modular infotainment system (MIB4). The improved hardware and software provide a more intuitive user experience, featuring a 12.9” touchscreen compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Wirelessly.
The interior continues the GTI tradition with premium sport seats adorned with red decorative stitching, a sporty steering wheel, and brushed stainless steel accents. One standout feature is the Engine/Start/Stop button, which pulses red.
What’s in the Box?
Standard features include
19″ Alloy Wheels, Park Assist Plus, Rear view camera, Navigation System with Voice Control, Adaptive Cruise Control, Front Assist with Pedestrian and Cyclist Monitoring, Power folding rear view mirrors, Panoramic sunroof
Powertrain and Performance
The new Golf GTI will be powered by a 2.0 TSI engine, producing 195kW and 370Nm of torque, allowing it to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.9 seconds, with a top speed of 250km/h.
With driving modes ranging from Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Individual.
Underneath, the GTI features a MacPherson front axle and a four-link rear axle, equipped with individual ESC control for optimal use on racetracks. With a bigger 17” brake system and advanced features like progressive steering and Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC), which is claimed to improve comfort while keeping the GTI sharp and precise.
Pricing and Availability
To celebrate the new Golf GTI’s arrival, Volkswagen will offer a Limited Edition launch model, complete with a predefined specification list and customizable exterior color options, all priced at R908,000.
