The turn of the Dark Horse – VW’s plans for 2020

VWSA recently made use of the Premium drive experience as a catch-up and information session for South African Media, and TheMotorist was in attendance. The Premium drive made clear, numerous elements with respects to the dubbed Premium products and product range nevertheless. While combining the event with being introductions to the Dark Label versions of the Toureg, smaller sibling the Tiguan and the Lesire bakkie of the year Amarok Grand Canyon powered by the 190kW 3.0TDI v6 that makes it the most rapid and Amarok in V6 still the most desirable in class. The fact of the matter is VW is smashing it with respects to South Africa and the market. The T-Cross is the best selling in class, beating excellent offerings; from Kia Seltos, Hyundai’s Creta and H2 Haval’s as the value offering. 

The understanding that 22.7% of all vehicle sales locally was VW’s tally. The year ahead is apparent with the mission towards autonomy. Throughout the year various test Golf 8 mules have been spotted Globally and even in SA, following its 2020 Q4 launch.

GOLF 8 GTI, GTE AND GTD

With Golf 8 in standard and GTI, GTE and GTD having been revealed ahead of their official Geneva debut. The MK8 GTI boasting 180kW and 370Nm with a performance pack variant with a likely 221kWs-Both unit receiving power from the familiar EA888 powerplant with a 6-speed manual as standard and the option for an updated drive-by-wire DSG box. GTE will also keep its 1.4Litre turbo petrol with the electric motor assistance. The dual powertrain is suitable for a GTI matching 180kW, and 400Nm.No acceleration or performance figures have been revealed for the performance variants, which interestingly enough will be the first offerings to reach our shores with the new Golf 8. The swansong for the Mk7.5 GTI platform the TCR which was confirmed for March will arrive before the new model later in the tyre with a few of the 300 units making there way to South Africa with a 700k plus price tag, 5.6 Second 0-100 and 264Km/h top speed.

Tiguan and Toureg Black Edition

The recent “Black style pack” offering to the Tiguan and Toureg offerings have allowed for slight tweaking to the familiar faces, that transform and add some serious aggression and volume to the vehicles. In Tiguan guise, the R-Line kit takes on black air intakes, a new updated front grille, black window trim and side-mirrors, black roof rails, and sports suspension. 19″ Sebring” alloy wheels remain the only option for the comfort, while the larger 20″ Suzuka alloy defaults the Highline. 

E-GOLF & ID.3

The move to electrification by VW in South Africa is growing to be a considerable movement and investment from VW into support and infrastructure. This is garnered the need for a fleet of Press E-Golf’s and the Later 2021 launch of the ID.3 EV vehicle. The idea is the E-Golf and launch of WE Connect intelligence vehicle connectivity will usher the era of smarter cars with remote access to diagnostics and vehicle information. This being key to EV ownership, given the need for access to charging and how this process is intuitive.