Volkswagen’s Golf 7 is easily the most anticipated launch of 2013 and following our recent first drive in Sardinia we are now able to provide more information about the local line-up.
Golf 7 will be launched to the local media during the last week of January 2013, before going on sale in the first week of February. Although exact pricing will only be available next month (December), our sources say the newcomers’ price tags will not be massively different to those of the Golf 6.
At launch the local line-up will include the following models:
1,2 TSI (77 kW), in Trendline specification
1,4 TSI (90 kW), in Trendline (6-speed manual) and Comfortline (6-speed manual, 7-speed DSG) specifications
1,4 TSI (103 kW), in Highline (6-speed manual) specification
2,0 TDI (110 kW), in Highline (6-speed DSG) specification
Some of the features that will be standard across the range are; hill-hold assist, stop/start, a tyre pressure monitor and the XDS differential. Dynamic Chassis Control will be offered as an option across the range. Unfortunately some of the high-tech features offered in Europe won’t make it to South Africa. These include the adaptive cruise control and city emergency braking systems. Park assist (automated parking) will, however, be offered as an option.
Trendline and Comfortline models will feature manual air-conditioning as standard, but Highline models get dual-zone climate control (Climatronic) that will also be available as an upgrade on Comfortline models. Trendline and Comfortline specification include a colour Composition Touch 5,0-inch Infotainment screen and 8-speaker sound system (including CD/SD). Highline models get a bigger (5,8 inch) Composition Media player that adds USB and Bluetooth. The Composition Media Player is also available to Trendline and Comfortline customers at extra cost.
Later on in the year Volkswagen will add 1,6-litre TDI and BlueMotion models, as well as the new GTI (July/August), to the local line-up. The hot Golf R will reach South Africa in 2014.