Volkswagen Group Africa has confirmed to CAR that the Mk8.5 Golf 1.4TSI is heading to SA. Here’s what you can expect and when it will arrive on local shores.
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In 2021, the eighth-generation Volkswagen Golf — in GTI flavour — was introduced to the South African market, with the R derivative making landfall on our shores two years later, in 2023, as the second Mk8 Golf in Volkswagen’s local portfolio. Indeed, with the SA market favouring the performance-focused variants of the Wolfsburg-based brand’s midsize hatchback – and with the T-Cross, T-Roc, Taigo and entry-level Tiguan SUVs filling in – the decision was made to only offer these two Golf derivatives in SA.
Related: How It Started: Volkswagen Golf GTI
However, this is all about to change. Volkswagen Group Africa has confirmed to CAR that SA will soon receive its first “entry-level” eighth-generation Golf. The model penned in to arrive in the first quarter of 2025 comes in the shape of the Mk8.5 Golf 1.4TSI. This with the Mk8.5 Golf GTI and Golf R models still waiting to be confirmed.
Related: Review: Volkswagen Tiguan 1.4 TSI R-Line
As a reminder, the 1.4TSI sited below the bonnet of this Golf derivative is also employed by the (Golf-based) T-Roc and new Tiguan, the latter of which we sampled on the local launch in September 2024. The 1.4-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged petrol unit produces 110 kW and 250 N.m of torque available from 1 500 r/min to 3 500 r/min in the rev range.