By: IOL Motoring Staff
Are South Africans clamouring for a more practical version of the Golf? We'll soon find out.
The new Golf SV has just gone on sale in South Africa and while it doesn't replace the regular Golf in any way, it does provide a more practical alternative. It's built on the same MQB platform but has a more practical body that makes it 83mm longer, with 48mm of that being within the wheelbase. It's also 8mm wider and 126mm taller, which all adds up to a roomier cabin and boot space is up by 120 litres to 500 with the back seats in their rearmost position.
THREE ENGINES
Three engines are on the menu, these being 81kW/175Nm 1.2 TSI and 92kW/200Nm 1.4 TSI turbopetrol options and an 81kW/250Nm 2-litre TDI turbodiesel. Both petrol engines feature idle stop and battery regeneration and are fitted with a six-speed manual gearbox, while a seven-speed DSG dual-clutch 'box is optionally available with the 1.4. The diesel can be had with either a five-speed manual or DSG.
TWO GRADES
The 1.2 TSI model comes with the Trendline specification grade, which brings standard amenities like 15-inch alloy wheels, air conditioning, leather-trimmed multi-function steering wheel, a sound system linked to a five-inch touch-screen, seven airbags, ESC stability control and VW's Automatic Post-Collision Braking System.
The Comfortline grade, which comes with 1.4 TSI and 2.0 TDI versions, adds 16-inch alloys, automatic headlights and wipers, ambient interior lighting and other aesthetic additions.
We'll be attending the local launch at the tail end of this week, so be sure to watch this space next Monday for more information and driving impressions.
PRICES
1.2 TSI Trendline - R292 500
1.4 TSI Comfortline - R325 200
1.4 TSI Comfortline DSG - R340 700
2.0 TDI Comfortline - R343 700
2.0 TDI Comfortline DSG - R359 200