Bucket Seat: VWSA Indaba 2025

This week saw Volkswagen SA host their annual Indaba at their plant in Kariega in the Eastern Cape, after a successful 2024 for the plant which saw them become the sole exporter of the popular Polo in Europe and Asia Pacific, this aided for a new record of 131 485 units exported from for the year. This couple with the enhancements done to the Polo Vivo put the plant in a strong position in the global Volkswagen plants. While facts and figures are always important to punt the companies local presence, we were more interested in seeing that new vehicles were in store for our shores for the 2025 year, and we were not disappointed. 

Starting off with a question most journalists have been asked for the past 2 years, will we see a non performance version of the Golf 8? Well, no but we will see the introduction of the entry level Golf 8.5! Yes, VWSA are finally bringing the 1.4TSI 110kW TSI engine version of its popular Golf model to the country. The new Golf generation being with it a large infotainment system, more intuitive operating concept, a sharper front and rear end design as well as efficient drive systems. The revamp in design make it stand out more than the Golf 8 and with options of packages ranging from Life, Life+, R-Line and R-line+, there is enough variety to spec your Golf 8.5 TSI to your preferences. While VWSA did have an 8.5 GTI on display, there was no indication on whether that would be hitting the roads as well. 

Next up is an SUV which borrows a lot from the newly introduced Tiguan, is the VW Tayron, which essentially is the Tiguan All-Space which has been given a new name. The model will be introduced in the second half of the year and is a 7-seater sport utility vehicle that is positioned between the Touareg and Tiguan. The car is engineered and built in the Wolfsburg plant in Germany and features technology from the premium level Touareg including IQ.Light HD Matrix headlights, massage seat functions, adaptive cruise control and ambient lighting. It also has advanced safety features like exit warning system, travel assist for a safer, more convenient driving experience and lane change and keep assist. Apart from being just a longer version of the Tiguan, the Tayron has different design characteristics with slightly different shaped headlights, with a illuminated VW badge in front, and a different lighting pattern on the rear lights. It also has sporty elements on the R-Line like 19-inch alloy wheels, R-Line bumpers and 30-colour ambient lighting. 

Another SUV that got introduced is the much loved T-Cross which has been the best selling in the T segment for the company, with over 36,000 units sold since its launch in 2019, it only makes sense that they expand the offerings to capatilise on its success with two new derivatives. These are the 1.0TSI 70kW manual and the 1.0 TSI 85kW DSG, these form the perfect base onto build a perfect SUV that has a blend of performance, style and advanced features. Like the model which is currently on sale, the T-Cross comes standard with an 8" Digital Cockpit, App-Connect, Multi-function steering wheel, 2 USB port in front and a tyre pressure monitoring system. 

Other models showcased included the Polo 15th Edition that celebrates 15 years of Polo Vivo, these will be limited to 1500 units and available in the third quarter of the year. A Polo GTI Black Style which features all the black treatment on the alloys, mirrors, diffuses and seats. The VW Transporter will also make its way in the country in the second quarter. The new Transporter features larger dimensions, including a 146mm increased length and wider body, it comes with LED headlights, 12-inch Digital cockpit and advanced infotainment system with mobile app connectivity. It will only be available in the 2.0 TDI engine but with a choice of a 6-speed manual gearbox or an 8-speed automatic.

 Another announcement at the Indaba saw the Volkswagen Group take over the retail operations of Ducati in South Africa. This taking the tally up to 4 offerings from the Group which already includes VW passenger Cars, Audi and VW Commercial. 

 

Bucket Seat: Volkswagen Polo Vivo GT

The Volkswagen Polo Vivo has for long been a star in the countries budget hatch segment, while pricing on it may be higher than some of the other competition, it still maintains a strong dominance over them due to the name and quality associated with the Volkswagen brand. The fact that is is assembled locally here at the VW plant in Kariega is an added bonus! Last year I attended the launch for the latest update in the model line up which featured cosmetic, technology and safety upgrades to the models as well as some other enhancements to keep up with the times. A few months following the launch, VWSA sent me the range topping Vivo GT to drive for a week, to get an on hand feel with the updates they've made, it also gave me an opportunity see how a car like the Vivo which is more of a budget hatch back can be a versatile family car, here's my experience with it. 

DESIGN

Much noise was made about the design of the refreshed Polo Vivo during launch, saying that is looks the same as the old one, given the life cycle of a car like the Polo Vivo, it follows the trend of its sibling, the normal Polo and that is still running with its face-lift version, so in theory they cannot have a shape change. Also keeping the same chassis allows for VW to keep the cars pricing quite competitive, that's not to say they haven't made any changes to the styling. Key differences between this GT and the previous model include a black painted roof, bumper skin and lower and upper grille with chrome, new interior trim and a body coloured boot spoiler. The front bumper has been revised to suit the latest VW styling, giving it a more larger frame with the bigger opening with boomerang style design side pieces which are colour coded and house the fog lamps which also serve as daytime running lights for the car. Depending on the trim chosen, there are various new alloys on offer, the GT comes with 17-inch Mirabeau alloy wheels in Anthracite. 

PERFORMANCE

Powered by the infamous 1.0 TSI engine, the Vivo GT produces 81kW and 200Nm of torque, this is paired with the 6-speed manual gearbox that provided a smooth and efficient drive. For day-to-day driving, the Vivo GT gave a rather zesty feel, being the sports derivative of the Polo Vivo line-up, it didn't disappoint in providing a spirited driving feel. The nimble nature added to the experience of fast paced driving with easy maneuverability. It felt solid on the highways as well, with me taking it on a weekend to the Berg, the Vivo GT with a fully boot and cabin coped well. With plenty of power available for the highway and even doing well on some gravel roads. When it comes to fuel economy, this 1.0 TSI engine is superb and practically sips the petrol from its tank, I swear for the first two days after filling up, the range kept increasing instead of decreasing, I almost wanted to call VWSA up to say that there is a defect with the car but it wasn't. 

COMFORT

Look, I'm going to be straight with you guys here, this car is"budget" for a reason so don't come in here expecting massaging seats and all the bells and whistles because you're not going to get it. You don't even get climate control aircon but you do get aircon. The seats, while coming with new trendy trims are not the most comfortable, they are firm and very hardy, with durable material that will last you a long time but other than that, not much to write home about. The seat sizing is also small to adapt to the cars size but in saying that it was still okay for me, who is larger than the average human. While the suspension isn't anything fancy, it gave a decent ride on normal roads. The large 17-inch rims didn't help but not as bad on normal surfaces, just not the best for lower quality roads. The car as mentioned does come with air conditioning with just a single setting for the cabin. The new 9-inch display is very cool and easy to use, would have been nice if the mobile apps were wireless but not a major train smash to plug in the USB, which is USB A and not C like most new VW models. There are lots of new safety features in the Vivo like side airbags for the driver and front passenger, the GT gets twin LED headlamps and tyre pressure monitor. 

VERDICT

Overall, the Vivo GT is still my go-to from the Vivo range, offering that sporty feel for a fraction of the cost of other hatch backs. The Vivo as mentioned is feature packed and most of the changes were developed at the plant in Kariega so we have a lot to be proud about in this car. It proved its versatility to me on my trip to the berg, managed to cram the boot with our luggage as well as essentials for the weekend for 3 adults, fine, there was some items that had to be stored on the back seat but not much to make the journey uncomfortable for anyone. The fuel economy and performance on the 1.0-litre TSI is second to none in the segment so with that in mind, as well as the competitive pricing, makes the Polo Vivo GT a firm favourite of mine. 

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine	1.0 TSI
Gear Box	6-speed manual
Torque	200Nm
Power	81kW
0-100km	9.7 seconds
Price	R356,000

 

Bucket Seat: VW Polo GTI

The VW Polo has been a the darling child of the VW line-up locally, since it’s first introduction badged as the Polo “Playa”, it took the market by storm and afforded the buyer a budget friendly hatch back from the Volkswagen brand. When the first GTI version was introduced in the second generation Polo, it proved to be a massive success, not only was this the most affordable hot hatch on the market, it also gave buyers the opportunity to own a car with the GTI heritage. Fast forward to today and the latest version of the Polo GTI has hit South Africa, like other models it has gotten a keen interest from the public, with an eye catching starting price and striking good looks many are intrigued by this latest offering. I got a chance to spend a week with the latest Polo GTI and did a fair amount of driving with the car, close to 1000km! Here I my thoughts and experiences with the car.

DESIGN

There’s no denying VW did a sterling job in this latest generation of the Polo, from the solid bar LED lamp in the front to the revised rear end that features new tail lights, the car looks bolder, modern and more mature than the previous generation. The GTI gets the sporty treatment with honeycomb grille, a red detailing along the front, dual LED fog lamps and large multi-spoke rims. The side profile is the same with an added side skirt that gives the car more of a sporty appearance, with the GTI badge mounted behind the front wheel arch. Moving to the back of the car, the iQ LED rear lights are a standout feature at the back with its new L-Shaped design, and VW badge mounted dead centre that also houses the reverse camera. The GTI badge is mounted just below this badge and gives the car a more aesthetically pleasing look. The rear diffuser ends off at the bottom with dual tail-pipes with rear fog lamps either side of it. Overall a very attractive package from the outside, this particular model came with a panoramic glass sunroof which added to the coolness factor of the looks. Moving in on the inside, much of it is standard from the normal Polo with the excel of the steering wheel which is a smaller version from its bigger brother the Golf 8 GTI. The interior features special materials that are unique to the GTI such as colour coded dash inserts and suede sport seats. 

PERFORMANCE 

The Polo GTI comes packed with a powerful 2.0-litre, 4 cylinder TSI engine that produces 147kW and 320Nm of torque that's married with VW's infamous 6-speed DSG gearbox that is just a synergy of fun. The power to weight ratio of the Polo GTI is perfect to deliver that go-kart like experience, with precise handling and control. While the new Polo GTI does have a soft limiter installed that reduces the vrrpha effect, this car is still plentiful of fun to drive. While in urban cruising the car may prove to be quite thirsty as you would expect, with the average fuel consumption just north of the 8.2L per 100km range, on long distances it quite surprised me with me getting it down to as low as 6.0L per 100km and that was without cruise control! The car does offer a good mixed use consumption as well so it's quite note worthy that it can be light on the pocket when driven efficiently. Standstill to 100km takes 6.7 seconds with a claimed top speed of 238km/h. Fuel tank size is just the same as regular Polo with 40 litres so you maybe be frequenting the filling stations just about every week with this one. 

COMFORT

The interior of the GTI is stunning, I quite love how everything is laid out in the cabin and the choice of materials and finishes. The GTI does get some added luxuries that the normal Polo misses out on, like the multi-function steering wheel that has touch sensitive buttons with sliding functions like the GTI. The climate control functions have the same touch sensitive keys with sliding function for the fan speed. The Discover media infotainment system includes navigation with map care, wireless App-Connect, Voice Control, Wireless charging tray, 4-USB C ports (two in the front and two at the back), a virtual cockpit that has multiple view options. The car came with the "Beats" sound system with is an optional extra, its a 6-speak system with dynamic sound but I wasn't overly impressed by it. The car has dual-zone climate control for driver and front passenger with vents in the back for the rear passengers. The front seats get to enjoy heated seats as an option as well as the tilting and sliding glass panoramic sunroof. Other note worthy options included the comfort park package when has keyless entry, park assist and reverse camera. The Safety Package which has travel assist, adaptive cruise control with speed limiter and lane assist as well as pedestrian monitoring. 

VERDICT

With the only note worthy rival to the Polo GTI being the Ford Fiesta ST being scrapped from the SA offering, there is no better alternative if you're looking for a small performance hatchback. While many would point at the GR Yaris, the pricing point on that is way off when compared to this. The love interest with the Polo in South Africa continues to grow as I've seen quite a few of the new models on the road of recent and I'm pretty sure the GTI model will follow suit. It's a great little package from VW with an attractive price, the quality of the build stays true to VW and many fans of the brand wont be disappointed with what it has to offer. 

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine	2.0L TSI
Gear Box	6-Speed DSG
Torque	320Nm
Power	147kW
Top Speed	238km/h
Price	R489,400*

*Base Price

 

Bucket Seat: VW Caddy Maxi 2.0TDI

The VW Caddy has been sort of an unsung hero in the country from the German manufacturer. While it does sell in numbers, it doesn't get the spotlight like some of the other models that roll off their production lines, obviously the hatchbacks get preferential treatment locally as they are the more popular ones from VW but as they say, you don't really notice a car or model on the road until you drive one and that is exactly what happened when I had the new VW Caddy, I began to notice how many of the older models were on the road that I never really took note off. They ranged from all-sorts, the panel vans and the family carrier, with the panel ones coming in majority. I spent some time with the Caddy Maxi 7-seater to find out why it has enjoyed some good market share in this segment.

DESIGN

When it comes to a panel style van, there's nothing sexy or sleek about it but I must take my hat off to Volkswagen, they've got elements to this car that really do make it stand out. Starting at the front with the revised headlights which are very modern and inline with their new design language, this is joined by the solid black bar instead of a grille that has the VW emblem at the centre. Moving down is where the really interesting bit comes, the bumper has a split style grille with a small opening at the top, a solid piece for the number plate and 3D like perforated bottom grill which gives the car a really modern look, almost concept like. It really is very eye catching and especially in this beautiful bronzed metallic colour I had it in. Moving along to the side profile, is is very similar to the old model, with the Maxi the car is much longer than the standard model so the side windows are larger and with the optional extra panoramic glass roof, the Caddy really maximizes on letting natural light into the cabin. The rear design is very neat and keeping to that modern look with a large rear window, with black accents bordering it, VW badge in the middle with the Caddy sign below and the handle to open the luggage hatch just below that. Overall, they've done a fantastic job on make what would be a very boring vehicle to look at, pretty nice. In fact many times I caught people walking up to have a closer look at the car. 

PERFORMANCE

While the Caddy is predominantly made as a workhorse, this version has been converted to have 7-seats and serve as a transporter. So different kind of goods if you may, the Maxi comes fitted with a 2.0-litre TDI engine that delivers 81kW and 300Nm of torque which is a substantial amount for the car considering what it's general use would be for. During my time with it we utilized all 7-seats and the car managed just fine even on long distances. The 6-speed manual gearbox did help a lot in this regard but also had me down changing a plenty to get that torque I needed which did affect the average fuel use but nothing that was too alarming. Which the chassis is large and bulky, it did maneuver quite well on the open road and around the bends at high speeds, urban driving was also surprisingly easy with it, parking in certain places can get a bit tricky with it being a bit wider than your average Polo but with the read sliding doors it isn't an issue for the passengers to get in and out of tight spots.

COMFORT 

While this was a 7-seater van, the Caddy isn't purposely built for comfort, it is pretty evident when you take a look at the interior. Much of it is made up of very robust materials, from the door panels to the dash and even the seats which is a strong fabric type to prevent short-term wear and tear. You'd understand the point of this coming from VW as the Caddy is used more as a cargo van but in this application where you have more of a passenger transporter vibe, I would have liked to see some added colour inserts into the dash and door panels just to warm the feeling up a bit in the cabin. It still comes loaded with tech like most of the new models with pre-loaded mobile applications, a touchscreen infotainment unit which has VW's latest user interface, the same as the Golf 8, it even has the touch sensitive climate control selectors which pop up on the screen like the Golf 8 as well with similar style light controls next to the the steering wheel column. The real deal breaker for the Caddy is the spaciousness of the cabin. The seats are formed in a 2-3-2 configuration with decent space for the second row seat and adequate room for the third row passengers. The seats in the third row are much smaller than the other days but are comfortable enough for an adult to sit on.  The large sliding doors make it easy to get in and out for all passengers and the ease in which the seats fold both for the second and third row makes it simple enough for a small child to do so. Overall, very practical and much better than any other 7-seater in its price segment. 

VERDICT

Overall, I can understand the application in which Volkswagen had in mind when making this car and like I said earlier, there is definitely a market for this type of vehicle locally. I've seen the type of people that were attracted to this car and listening to their applications for it just makes sense. A lot of them were adventure junkies or families that travel heavy and wouldn't mind the extra space every now and then. It certainly is a very attractive car, this colour is by far my favourite in the options list and while it not garner the attention like other VW models, it has its own charm about it. I've already seen loads of these new model Caddy's on the road since my time with it which only justifies my statement by saying there is a market for them but we don't really take note of it. 

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine	2.0L TDI
Gear Box	6-speed manual
Torque	300Nm
Power	81kW
0-100km/h	12.8 seconds
Price	R600,400*

*Base Price

Bucket Seat: 2022 VW Polo TSI Life

During the fourth quarter of last year, Volkswagen SA released their latest generation Polo. A model that has been a firm favourite with South Africans over the years and saw it dominate sales in its segment. There is no denying why the model does so well, VW have created the perfect formula for a compact hatch that offers great features, decent engines, comfort, space and not forgetting that excellent price point. This new model still continues with those key values and adds a bit more, hence its bound to be a resounding success with the consumers. VWSA have also changed the model line up a bit with them offering the new Polo in four trims, being the Standard Polo, Polo Life, Polo R- Line and the range topping Polo GTI. I had the opportunity to spend a week with the Polo Life and here are my thoughts on the car. 

DESIGN

While at first glance the overall design of the new Polo looks pretty similar to the previous generation but on closer inspection you will notice quite a few design changes apart form the lights. The car I had was in the new launch colour of  "Vibrant Violet Metallic" and it was pretty vibrant and surprisingly very appealing to many.  The car has grown in size with it being longer, wider and slightly higher than its predecessor but yes, the key design changes are with the lights, up in the front the LED headlamps are more angular and wider than the older model with lovely details that tie into the solid LED bar that runs along the grille just like the Golf 8. The light bar stops at the VW badge in front and gives off a very impressive look at night. The bottom of the front has been revised to more of the Golf 8 style cues as well with the wider radiator grille and smaller more angular side pods. Side profile of the new Polo looks pretty similar to the older generation and as you head to the back, the revised rear lights with the extension of them that are on the tailgate give the car a more mature look to it. The interior has been completely redone as well with, again styling cues coming from the Golf 8 and T-Cross. 

PERFORMANCE

The VW Polo Life comes with one engine, the 1.0 TSI but with two transmission options, the 5-speed manual or the 7-speed DSG. I had with me the manual derivative and I quite enjoyed it. While the trend focus may shift to automatics these days and when it comes to automatics, the VW DSG is up there with the best but every now and then you don't mind the old "stick shift". The 5-speed manual has less power output from the 1.0L TSI engine though with it producing only 70kW, a whole 15kW less that the DSG. Having a manual did assist with this lack of power as you could easily down change when required. The eco assistant advising you when to change gears helps you obtain a healthy fuel economy but the motor itself does so well on using minimal fuel in any case. Whether on the highway for long distances or just urban driving the Polo seemed well equipped to propel me around on my journeys with it. 

COMFORT

Like I said, the Polo has grown a bit and its evident in the interior with their being ample space to comfortably seat four grown adults. The new design is very welcoming with everything being new, from the steering wheel to the dash. The large touch-screen infotainment screen greets you as you enter the car with it tilted to face the driver. There are a number of features to this including profiles for multiple moods or drivers. The instrument cluster is fully digital as well displaying all kinds of driver related info as well as media. I love the various modes and views you can choose from, you can opt for the traditional analog dial setup or go for something new with digital readings that make more room for other information. The Polo comes with built-in mobile apps that offer wireless integration, there is the option of USB wired charging with two USB C ports located just below the analog AC controls. The car came with optional extras such as Park Assist, Park Distance Control and A large panoramic sunroof. The cabin is laid out with good quality materials and textures which keep the car vibrant and appealing to the youth. 

VERDICT

You can't really go wrong with the Polo, while it has a legacy of being an affordable hatch aimed at students and emerging professionals, it really is growing up to tap into other markets of buyers as well. The inclusion of technology and robust materials could see it appealing to others in the buying spectrum. Given the recent and future fuel increases, this 1.0L TSI engine will become extremely popular with those that do not wish to frequent the pumps. Apart from looking nice and performing well, the car is such a pleasure to drive and I feel that is one thing many brands lack with of recent, with them concentrating on so many other things to keep their models up to date, sometimes they dont put in much effort into the drivability of their cars and that is one thing VW do brilliantly. Another great reason to purchase this car is that its produced locally so there's nothing wrong in showing some patriotisms.

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine	1.0L TSI
Gear Box	5-Speed Manual
Torque	175Nm
Power	70kW
Top Speed	187km
Price	R353,600*

*Base Price