Golf 8 GTI

Photo via: MotorPress

Golf 8 GTI: Volkswagen’s most anticipated vehicle arrives in SA [pictures]

The Golf 8 GTI “officially” arrived in South Africa on Wednesday but fans of the hatchback will have to wait a while before they can own one.

Golf 8 GTI

Photo via: MotorPress

The brand new eighth-generation Volkswagen Golf GTI arrived in South Africa on Wednesday, January 28. The vehicle’s release in the country has been affected by the global shortage of semiconductor chips but the Golf 8 GTI is expected to be released locally in the third quarter of 2021.

VOLKSWAGEN TRYING TO SECURE AS MANY GOLF 8 GTIs AS POSSIBLE FOR SA MARKET

The Head of Volkswagen Passenger Car Brand, Steffen Knapp, said the manufacturer is working closely with its German counterparts to “ensure that we get as many Golf 8 GTI units for the local market as possible.”

A few units of the hot hatchback began arriving in South Africa in mid-April but Knapp said those units will be stockpiled until there are enough vehicles for the Golf 8 GTI launch at the start of the third quarter.

“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,” said Knapp.

“For this reason, the launch of the Golf 8 GTI in South Africa will now move to third quarter,” he added.

HIGHLY ANTICIPATED HATCH TO BE LAUNCHED DIGITALLY

Volkswagen plans to unveil the Golf 8 GTI with a digital premiere, and customer events, in the country, with Volkswagen enthusiasts being among the first people to experience the new vehicle.

The manufacturer said the vehicle is its most anticipated launch in 2021 and South Africa is one of the largest Golf GTI markets outside of Europe, which does not come as a surprise.

The Golf 7 GTI has sold more than 14 000 units since it came to the country in July 2013 and according to the manufacturer, the vehicle was also the best-selling model range in the A Hatch segment in South Africa last year, capturing 29.1% of the segment share.

According to Motor1, the eighth generation Golf GTI comes with a turbocharged 2.0 litre i4 engine capable of producing 245 horsepower and hitting (an electronically limited) top speed of 249 km/h.

PICTURES: GOLF 8 GTI JUST LANDED

Golf 8 GTI
Photo via: MotorPress
Golf 8 GTI
Photo via: MotorPress