The updated Volkswagen Golf launches in South Africa
The updated Volkswagen Golf is being launched in South Africa with a revised engine line-up, more technology, new infotainment, improved connectivity and revised styling with the retail price starting at R289 900.
What’s new?
The progressive digitisation of Golf is supported by the debut of the highly efficient 1.0 TSI engine with 81kW power output. The 999cc engine is mated to a 6-speed manual transmission and has claimed combined fuel consumption of 4.8 litres per 100 kilometres.
Meanwhile, Volkswagen has strengthened the appeal of the iconic Golf GTI; it now develops 169kW an increase of 7kW from its predecessor as was found in the GTI Performance
All Golfs feature BlueMotion Technologies such as a stop-start system and a mode for storing braking energy.
Design modifications include new bumpers front and rear, new halogen headlights with LED daytime running lights or full LED headlights – standard on GTI and optional in other derivatves – instead of xenon headlights; new front wings; and, as mentioned, new full LED rear lights as standard for all Golf versions.
New wheel designs and body colours complete the exterior update, while fresh trim panels and materials also upgrade the interior of the Golf.
Design
At the front, the radiator grille and headlights have taken the style of its predecessor to a new level. The lower chrome strip of the radiator grille is continued to the left and right as a chrome element (GTI: chrome/red) which extends through the LED daytime running lights and into the full-LED headlights. The LED headlights in the new Golf, included as standard or as an option depending on the equipment line, replace the previous xenon headlights.
The cooling air openings in the lower section of the bumper, which have also been redesigned, emphasise the width of the Volkswagen more than ever. The radiator grilles of the non-Performance derivatives exhibit a louvretype design; on the GTI it is a honeycomb.
Also read: Limited Edition Golf GTI Clubsport arrives in South Africa
A key visual ‘plus’ in versions with Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and/or Front Assist including City Emergency Braking comes via the fact that the radar sensor in these systems is no longer visible in the cooling air intake on the bumper; rather it is now carefully hidden behind the VW badge in the radiator grille.
The rear has also been redesigned to be more charismatic. Now, all derivatives of the Golf will be equipped with full-LED taillights. In contrast to many standard LED tail lights, none of the functions of the Golf’s new taillights now use conventional light bulbs. Also, the GTI’s full-LED taillights have animated, or ‘flowing’, indicator functions. Visually, this version can be recognised by a translucent white LED stripe that turns orange when indicating. Last but not least, the GTI is distinguished by a striking, dynamic visual transition between the LED tail light and the LED brake lights when the brakes are applied.
Engines, transmissions and running gear
In this first phase of the local market launch, Volkswagen is presenting the 2017 model year Golf with the following engine line-up, a 1.0 TSI with 81kW, a 1.4 TSI with 92kW, and a 2.0 TSI with 169kW. The 2.0 TDI with 81kW, the Golf R with 213kW and the all-new GTD with 130kW will be introduced in the second half of the year.
Petrol engines (TSI) in detail
All the Golf’s petrol engines are turbocharged units with direct fuel injection (TSI).
- 1.0 TSI with 81kW. A new 1.0 TSI entry level petrol engine with turbocharging and direct fuel injection is being offered for the first time in the Golf. The 1.0 TSI has an output of 81kW and develops a torque peak figure of 175 Nm, which is particularly impressive for its engine power class. The base engine of the new Golf model range develops 81kW – as much power as the first Golf GTI from 1976. This maximum power is available from 5,000 to 5,500 rpm. The engine develops its maximum torque of 200 Nm between 2,000 and 3,500 rpm. With this engine, the Golf has a top speed of 196km/h and accelerates to 100km/h in 9.9 seconds. Combined fuel consumption is 4.9 litres per 100 kilometres. It mated to a 6-speed manual transmission.
- 1.4 TSI with 92kW. The 1.4-litre TSI with 92kW (5000 to 6000 rpm) has been retained. This lively engine delivers its 200 Nm maximum torque over a large speed range from 1,400 to 4,000 rpm. The Golf 1.4 TSI completes the sprint to 100 km/h in 9.1 seconds. It reaches its top speed at 204km/h while combined fuel consumption is just 5.2 l/100km.
- 2.0 TSI with 169kW. The iconic Golf GTI has been given more power. The new GTI now has similar power output as the outgoing GTI Performance at 169kW. The 0 to 100km/h classic sprint is achieved in 6.4 seconds and the top speed is limited to 248km/h. With DSG transmission, GTI has claimed combined fuel consumption of 6.4 l/100km.
Also read: Volkswagen Golf gets new 1.5 TSI1 engine option
MIB-based infotainment
Volkswagen has replaced all previous infotainment systems in the Golf with a new generation of the MIB. All systems have a new design and larger touchscreens.
The Composition Media previously came with a 6.5-inch screen. It has been replaced by a system with the same name, but with an 8.0-inch screen and a resolution of 800 x 480 pixels. Meanwhile, Composition Colour has increased its screen from 5-inch to 6.5-inch. The top system, the Discover Navigation Pro, gets a 9.2-inch screen instead of an 8.0-inch screen; its resolution has been increased from 800 x 480 to 1280 x 640 pixels.
Discover Navigation Pro. Not only does the Discover Navigation Pro version of the MIB have a 9.2-inch display with a resolution that has increased from 800 x 480 pixels to 1,280 x 640 pixels, it has also been completely redesigned. In contrast to the 8.0-inch system that has been replaced in the Golf, the entire front is spanned by a stylish glass surface (also applies to the new Discover Navigation system).
The range of equipment offered with the Discover Nav Pro system also includes an amplifier with 4 x 20 watts of output power, a DVD drive, one USB port (Apple CarPlay compatible), two SD card slots, an AUX-IN port, an SSD drive with 10 GB of storage, a full range of music playback capabilities, a movie player, jukebox, podcast player, proximity sensor, voice control as well as navigation.
Gesture Control. Gesture control celebrates its world premiere in the compact class with its debut in the updated Golf. It is available with the top system of the Modular Infotainment Matrix (MIB) – the Discover Navigation Pro.
Phone Interfaces. Two phone interfaces are available for the new Golf. Their technical features include a digital speech processor. The standard interface is available with the Connectivity Package (including USB port) and from the Composition Media infotainment system.
Automated driving functions
If a model series has ever democratised progress, it must surely be the Golf in its first seven generations and 40-plus years. Systems such as ABS, ESC and later the whole broad spectrum of assistance systems came to be accepted as normal features by millions thanks to the affordable Golf.
It was, for example, one of the first cars in the compact class with Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Front Assist with City Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Monitor, Rear Traffic Alert, Park Assist, Driver Alert System, reversing camera (Rear View), and Trailer Assist.
Standard features
Trendline
The Trendline is offered with the following standard features:
- Start/Stop Technology
- ESP with Hill-hold assist
- Electronic parking brake
- Electronic adjustable heated side mirrors
- Electronic windows (front & rear)
- Manual airconditioner
- Cloth seat covers “Basket” design
- Fatigue detection
- LED taillights
- 6.5-inch Composition Colour Radio System with Touchscreen, USB, Bluetooth Connectivity and 8-speakers
- 15-inch Lyon alloy wheels
- Leather multi-function steering
- LED daytime running lights
Comfortline
In addition to the Trendline standard features, Comfortline includes:
- Drawer under front passenger seat
- Front centre armrest
- Lumbar support for front seats
- Cloth seats cover in ‘Zoom’ design
- Front foglights
- 16-inch ‘Hita’ alloy wheels
- Cruise control
- Rain sensors
- Auto-dimming rear view mirror
- Auto headlights with leaving/coming home function
GTI
The standard features on GTI include:
- Sport suspension
- Exhaust chrome twin tailpipes (right and left)
- Ambient lighting (light strips in red)
- Progressive steering
- 18-inch ‘Milton Keynes’ alloy wheels
- Automatic air-conditioner ‘Climatronic’
- Heated front seats
- Auto high-beam
- LED headlights
- Dynamic cornering lights
- 8-inch Composition Media Radio System with Touchscreen, USB, Bluetooth Connectivity and 8 speakers
- App Connect
- Voice Control
Prices (VAT and emissions tax included)
- 1.0 TSI 81kW Trendline Manual R289 900
- 1.0 TSI 81kW Comfortline Manual R304 200
- 1.4 TSI 92kW Comfortline DSG R356 400
- 2.0 TSI 169kW GTI DSG R545 800
The new Golf model range comes standard with a 5 year/90 000km Service Plan, 3 year/120 000km warranty and a 12 year anti-corrosion warranty. Service Interval is 15 000km.
Source: QuickPic