The first Volkswagen Golf 8 GTI lands in SA
After much anticipation, the first Volkswagen Golf 8 GTI has landed in South Africa. Of course, Volkswagen South Africa is just giving us a slight taste of what to expect as they have announced that the eighth-generation Golf GTI will be officially launched in the third quarter of this year.
Steffen Knapp, Head of the Volkswagen Passenger Car Brand says “The Volkswagen Group has been impacted by the global shortage of the semiconductor chips and all vehicles built on the MQB platform have been affected. For this reason, the launch of the Golf 8 GTI in South Africa will now move to the third quarter,”
Knapp further added “We are working closely with our German counterparts to ensure that we get as many Golf 8 GTI units for the local market as possible. A few Golf 8 GTI units started arriving in the country from mid-April. These units will be stockpiled until we have enough vehicles for the launch at the beginning of the third quarter,”
Volkswagen has further announced that a local digital premiere for the Golf 8 GTI will happen too, giving enthusiasts a chance to join in on the exciting experience. It is no secret that South African’s love their Golf GTI’s, with the Golf 7 GTI selling over 14 000 units locally. The Golf is also among the best-selling models in the A Hatch segment making up 29.1% of the market.
Also worth a look: the Volkswagen Golf and the Volkswagen Touareg.
FAQ
Q: When will the Volkswagen Golf 8 GTI be available in South Africa?
The Volkswagen Golf 8 GTI will officially launch in South Africa in the third quarter of 2022, with a few units already arriving from mid-April to be stockpiled for the launch.
Q: Why was the Golf 8 GTI launch delayed in South Africa?
The launch was delayed due to the global semiconductor chip shortage that affected all vehicles built on Volkswagen's MQB platform, forcing VW to postpone the local launch to ensure adequate stock levels.
Q: How popular is the Golf GTI in South Africa?
The Golf GTI is extremely popular in South Africa, with the Golf 7 GTI selling over 14,000 units locally and the Golf making up 29.1% of the A Hatch segment market.
Q: Will there be a local launch event for the Golf 8 GTI?
Yes, Volkswagen South Africa has announced they will host a local digital premiere for the Golf 8 GTI, allowing enthusiasts to participate in the launch experience online.
Q: Is the Volkswagen Golf 8 GTI worth buying in South Africa?
Based on the Golf 7 GTI's massive success with over 14,000 local sales and the Golf's dominance in the hot hatch segment, the Golf 8 GTI should be an excellent choice for performance enthusiasts when it launches in Q3 2022.
Should You Buy It?
The best hot hatch under R700,000 in SA is still the Golf GTI, and the Golf 8 GTI looks set to continue that legacy. With the Golf 7 GTI selling over 14,000 units locally and the Golf commanding 29.1% of the A Hatch segment, there's clearly a reason South Africans can't get enough of these pocket rockets. Yes, you should definitely consider buying the Golf 8 GTI when it launches in Q3, especially if you're after that perfect blend of everyday usability and weekend thrills. Just be prepared to wait a bit longer thanks to those pesky chip shortages, but trust us, it'll be worth the wait for what's likely to be another cracker from Wolfsburg.
