By MOTORING REPORTER,
JOHANNESBURG, (Gauteng Guardian) – FOLLOWING the launch of the new Golf TSI and Golf GTI facelift in May,With over 350 000 Golf’s sold in South Africa since its launch four decades ago, the updated version of the seventh generation Golf is once again redefining its market segment by bringing ‘big car’ technology to the compact family car class.
The Golf R’s popularity in South Africa continues to strengthen and together with the GTI make up nearly 60 percent of Golf sales in South Africa.Traditionally, the Golf R has always been the most powerful model in the comprehensive Golf range. The power output of the latest Golf R moves to 213 kW, making it the most powerful series Golf ever sold in South Africa.
Meanwhile, the GTD, which is Volkswagen’s only performance diesel derivative hatch to be launched in South Africa, combines the performance of a sports car with the fuel economy of a sub-compact car in a most
enticing way.
This “GTI among the diesels” is driven by an entirely new four-cylinder TDI of the EA288 series which can also be found on the Volkswagen Passat -a transverse mounted, charged two-litre engine with common rail direct injection. The 2.0 litre TDI engine develops 130kW at 3,600 to 4,000 rpm. Its torque is a substantial 350 Nm.
These performance models create a new benchmark for assistance systems in the compact class, employing technologies that will significantly improve safety. These include the optional Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Traffic Alert as well as Adaptive Cruise Control with Front Assist and Autonomous Emergency Braking System.
– Gauteng Guardian