[imagesource: Volkswagen]

Greetings fellow petrolheads.

While today’s featured car isn’t flashy, fast, or let’s face it, the most attractive model we’ve looked at, it still deserves our respect.

The Volkswagen Golf is arguably one of the most important brands in the carmaker’s performance portfolio, so the Golf 8 GTI has to live up to its predecessors’ reputation as a paragon of affordable performance, and one that has been going since 1975.

No pressure.

The Golf is one of those cars that everyone either owned and if you didn’t, you knew someone who owned one. Many a petrolhead got their start in a Golf, so don’t knock it.

In fact, one might say that the series number attached to it is a good way to mark the passing of the years. Seth informed me that when he was 18 it was the Golf 3.

Feel old yet?

Car Magazine has the specs, and at the end of the day, as we know, it’s all about the drive.

The golf 8 GTI is promising to up the speed, be more responsive, and outdo the cars that it will replace in quality.

You’re looking at a four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine giving you 180kW and 370 Nm.

Decent.

You’ll still find those classic touches like tartan seats and red pinstriping, but if the mood strikes you, you can also add a unique lighting signature for the front of the car made up of a full-width LED element across the grille and Clio RS-style chequered-flag foglights inserted into the lower grille.

Inside, you’ll find touch screens and touch-sensitive controls, with almost every physical button gone in favour of a sleeker driving experience.

It’s currently the highest-end dashboard that the brand offers.

If you’re keen to get your hands on one, News24 has some good news for you.

After months of waiting, the Golf 8 GTI has arrived in South Africa and is set to be rolled out in the third quarter of 2021.

Look at it proudly awaiting its reveal, with its wrappings still in place:

A word from Steffen Knapp, head of Passenger Car Brand.

“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 for the local market 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.”

Top Gear took it for a spin last year.

Check it out:

[source:carmagazine&news24]