South African VW fans are waiting in anticipation as the Mk8 Golf will debut locally in a matter of weeks. If we wanted evidence that SA is a GTI-mad nation then we just need to look at the sales stats of the Mk7 Golf range. An incredible 34 per cent of all Mk7 Golfs sold in SA carried the GTI badge. The local subsidiary has chosen to debut the MK8 Golf range with the GTI. As a lead up to the car’s official introduction VW SA has divulged GTI Mk8 SA specs.

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True to form

VW has kept the GTI recipe steady for 45 years (click here to read about the Clubsport 45 that was created to celebrate this milestone of the GTI). It has remained a front-wheel-drive hatch with a pokey motor and high levels of practicality, a sportscar for everyday use, if you will. Apart from a bit of a wobble with the Mk3 and Mk4 models, the GTI has remained the yardstick against which all comers are measured.

Click here to read about the Top 5 Hot Hatches being introduced in SA in 2021.

Turbo power

GTI Mk8 SA Specs 2

VW has retained a 2,0-litre turbocharged engine, as has been the case since the Mk5. Mounted transversely between the front wheels the engine develops a healthy 180 kW of power and offers peak torque of 370 N.m. VW SA will not introduce a manual-fitted GTI Mk8 into the local market. Drivers will have to select gears via paddles that control the seven-speed dual clutch automated transmission without the use of a clutch pedal. VW claims the Mk8 GTI will take 6,4 seconds to sprint from rest to 100 km/h.

Standard kit 

There’ll be just one flavour of GTI available in SA. It will have a decent standard specification list. Among the items owners can expect are, on the outside: 18-inch Richmond alloy wheels, a roof spoiler, diffuser and a lights and  vision package including high-beam control light assist. 

Standard equipment in the cabin will include keyless access and engine start/stop, completely digital displays, a three-spoke sports steering wheel with touch controls as well as a touchscreen infotainment system. Other standard items include ambient lighting which gives passengers 30 interior colours to choose from, Climatronic air conditioning, leather seats, cruise control with speed limiter, parking sensors and mobile phone interface with wireless charging function.

Optional items

New buyers can choose from a host of optional items. A Harmon Kardon sound system with a 12-channel amplifier feeding eight speakers including a subwoofer, a panoramic sunroof, mechanically swivelling tow hitch, LED Matrix headlights, black 18-inch Bergamo alloy wheels, a heads-up display, adaptive chassis control, 19-inch Adelaide alloy wheels, Discover Pro Radio with satellite navigation, USB and voice control, parallel parking assistant, rear view camera, blind spot monitor, and adaptive cruise control with front assist and autonomous emergency braking will all help to escalate the price of your new GTI.

Enjoy an in-depth look at the VW Golf GTI Mk8 with Mat Watson from UK car website Car Wow: