South African Volkswagen Golf performance model fans are chomping at the bit in anticipation of the GTI’s delayed arrival later this year. The most recent speed bump is a global shortage of semiconductor chips causing a delay on all vehicles based on the VW Group’s MQB platform.
“For this reason, the launch of the Golf 8 GTI in South Africa will now move to the third quarter,” said Steffen Knapp, Head of the Volkswagen Passenger Car Brand.
Volkswagen SA also confirmed that the flagship performance Golf 8 R model will only arrive in the first quarter of 2022. The latest iteration packs 235 kW and 420 N.m (the latter from 2 100 to 5 350 r/min) from its familiar EA888 turbocharged 2,0-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine, delivered to all four wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.
According to the Wolfsburg-based company, that’s enough for a sprint from zero to 100 km/h in 4,7 seconds.
Carwow has pitted the new model against the previous generation halo Golf to see which is quicker in a drag race. The UK-spec 2019 Golf R produces 228 kW and 400 N.m. Both cars are limited to 250 km/h.
The British publication says the 2021 model weighs 1551 kilograms, in comparison to the 2019 car’s weight of 1483 kilograms.
While we wait for the Golf performance duo to officially arrive in South Africa, check out the drag race between the two R models below:
