The evergreen hatchback is in its seventh generation already and for the first time in decades, has received a raft of updates just past the halfway mark of its model cycle. I travelled to a windy Port Elizabeth where the updated GTI was made available for me to drive.
What’s new?
As is customary when a car from the Volkswagen Group is updated, the changes are relatively minor. In the Golf’s case there’s a new front and rear bumper as well as slightly tweaked alloy wheel designs. LED rear lights are now standard across the range too, while halogen headlamps are standard up front with the xenon items being dropped from the options list in favour of LEDs. The result is a Golf that looks far more modern with a neater design aesthetic.
Inside is where you’ll note the biggest changes in the Golf 7.5. All derivatives across the range are also now offered with a new generation of larger and more sophisticated touchscreen infotainment systems.
For entry level models, a 6.5-inch Composition Colour system is offered while for a few thousand rand more, you can have the Composition Media system which sports an eight-inch display and features such as App Connect.
At the top of the infotainment range is the very impressive 9.2-inch Discover Navigation Pro system which also features App Connect and gesture control, which works even better with the optional Active Info Display. We’ll delve in to detail with these systems in our upcoming road test.
New, more affordable Golf
At the launch, we were introduced to a new entry level Golf variant in the form of the 1.0 TSI, which packs an impressive 81kW/175Nm. The all-new motor is mated to a six-speed manual transmission and has claimed combined fuel consumption of 4.8-litres/100 km.
The rest of the range
Despite the recent introduction of the much talked about 1.5 TSI Evo engine in Europe, local models, for now, retain the popular 1.4 TSI mill with outputs of 92kW/200Nm, mated to Volkswagen’s brand new seven-speed DSG gearbox. There is also an R-Line styling pack available, which, according to Volkswagen South Africa, is popular locally; in fact South Africa is the biggest market for the R-Line package globally.
Two diesel models will be added to the range in July of this year, a standard TDI and the rather exciting GTD performance diesel with figures of 130kW/350Nm. As for the rapid Golf R, expect it to hit local shores at the same time as its oil burning siblings.
Driving GTI
The only vehicle I was able to drive at launch was a very highly specified version of the superb GTI. My test unit was sporting a new White Silver hue which looks absolutely fantastic, while another new colour available is a wonderful yellow calledTurmeric.
The updated GTI gets the same treatment as the rest of the range and benefits from LED front lights as standard, as well as a power bump with 169kW/350Nm on tap, much like the previous Performance Pack variant. There are also new 18-inch Milton Keynes alloy wheels as standard and 19-inch Santiago items as options.
Driving a modern GTI is an almost unbelievably satisfying experience. The quality, the driving dynamics and the comfort that it offers despite its sporty pretensions is worthy of the highest praise.
The fact that the GTI accounts for a large number of local Golf model sales speaks volumes of the model’s breadth of ability. The hype surrounding these cars is most certainly warranted. But, as with everything good, it comes at a price, with a well-specified GTI ticking over the R600 000 price bracket.
Autonomous driving technology
There are now a vast range of semi-autonomous driving features available as options in the Golf range for the first time ever. Extras such as a Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Traffic Alert, Adaptive Cruise Control with Front Assist, Autonomous Emergency Braking System as well as Trailer Assist including Park Assist are all driver aids that make the life of a Golf owner a bit easier, if you have the money to afford these items that is.
Service plan and warranty
The Golf range comes standard with a five-year/90 000km service plan and a three-year/120 000km warranty with service intervals pegged at 15 000km.
Pricing
1.0 TSI Trendline - R289 900
1.0 TSI Comfortline - R304 200
1.4 TSI Comfortline DSG - R356 400
GTI DSG - R545 800
