Sorry, folks: New Volkswagen Golf 8 GTI Clubsport is NOT coming to SA

By: CAR magazine

We’ve got some bad news, hot hatch fans. Volkswagen South Africa has confirmed the new Golf 8 GTI Clubsport is not destined for local roads.

The Wolfsburg-based firm’s local arm told CARmag.co.za the 221 kW flagship version of the Golf GTI would not be offered in South Africa.

“We will not get the Golf 8 GTI Clubsport in South Africa as it is only available for the European fuel emission levels,” the VW SA said.

The standard Golf GTI, however, is still on the cards for a local introduction in the first quarter of 2021.

As a reminder, the Golf 8 GTI Clubsport boasts 221 kW and 400 N.m from its EA888 turbocharged 2,0-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine, which are advantages of 41 kW and 30 N.m compared with the standard GTI. All that oomph is directed to the front axle via a seven-speed DSG dual-clutch transmission.

The result, according to Volkswagen, is a sprint from standstill to 100 km/h in “under six seconds” (the standard GTI should be around 6,3 seconds) and an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h.

In addition, VW says the running gear has been “completely reconfigured”, gaining “significant enhancements”. A standard electromechanical front-axle locking differential, for instance, is included in the vehicle dynamics manager’s network for the first time. The firm even programmed a selectable “Special” drive profile that “specifically adapts the running gear” to the Nürburgring Nordschleife.

 

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